Ireland day 2- becoming legit...?

Up and out early this morning as we headed to a sports complex to learn Gaelic games. That's right ladies and gentlemen, Gaelic football, hurling, and handball. It was VERY interesting! The guy who lead our group plays and coaches so he was very knowledgeable. Bill and I asked a lot of questions throughout instruction to better understand how the games are played, rules, and regulations.

Of course Gaelic Football was a snap because it is so closely related to soccer.  We had to keep reminding each other that we can use our hands :) the hardest thing to master was running with the ball at our feet and then bending over to scoop it up. You can't just pick it up though, you have to chip it to yourself so to speak. Not a normal position at all! 

Hurling is a little like lacrosse and field hockey. So it's weird. Much more hand-eye is needed and it takes a little bit to get down the skill work involved. They were telling us that young children walk around supermarkets and the park and such when out with the family to learn how to balance and move with the ball on the hurl. Crazy. 

Handball, so NOT my sport. I don't know of it's because I have tiny hands or what but, no bueno. Won't be going pro on that one. Sorry to disappoint. 

All in all it was an absolutely great experience and I am so glad to have had the chance to learn. 

By the time we got back to the hostel it was after two. We showered and hung around the hostel for a while. We are both tired and even though we are sad to see it end, can't wait for home. 

We went for a traditional pub tonight and stumbled upon the Old Storehouse. 

I got seafood chowder with brown bread and of course...

Bill had Guinness stew and mash. Both very good. We were so full we had to walk around for a little so we did some window shopping and browsing. 

Tomorrow is our last day in Ireland, and on our journey... Sniff. Finishing up with the touristy things and our last dinner, maybe some shopping, who knows! 

I am just so thankful for this time I have had traveling and experiencing Europe, but home is calling!

 

IRELAND!!!

Backing up again...we spent our last day in Scotland exploring the Edinburg Castle - in the rain (so close!) we stopped for tea  like proper Brits before we left :) 

We headed to the venue for the 'bonus' show we got when booking Bianco, called Noodles.... We aren't really sure what we watched. I have stopped trying to figure it out. 

We collected our things, headed to the airport, and off to Dublin we went. By the time we got in it was after 10 and we were pretty tired. 

Starting fresh this morning we walked around the shops and such around us and then headed to the Gaity Theatre to see Riverdance. It was a very cute little theatre and really not a bad seat in the house. We were up in the balcony, but when we checked in they upgraded us to the orchestra smack in the middle, row L... Not sure how/ why that happened but we didn't care :) The show was well done and it was very entertaining. 

We strolled through part of Stevens Green park and saw some sculpture

A bust of James Joyce...

The Fates...

And a famine sculpture...

And pretty swans

Scoot-land

 Welcome to Scotland! We are apparently here during their 'Fringe Fest' and there are A LOT of people here! There are very cool things going on though on the main drag- street performers, food vendors, merchant stalls. This on top of the normal stores bonus! 

We checked in to our hostel and booked ourselves the night tour with our favorite tour group in Europe. The tour is the gore and folklore of Edinburgh. Ya know, the witches, vampires, fairies, and serial killers. 

Very cool thing I learned was that the obelisk was built in the cemeteries around here so that the souls of soldiers, unmarked graves, those who died abroad, etc., can find their way home.

Oddly enough there was a statue of Abraham Lincoln in the cemetery also because of those who fought in the wars in America. Those who made it back to be buried and those who didn't. 

City view 

Off to bed because I am SO tired! We did the free walking tour this morning. 

Also oddly enough, they have a unicorn on their crest. Lol

Harry Potter still following us :) this is where JK Rowling sat to write Harry Potter. 

We looked in some Scottish shops...

Then went to explore St Giles Cathedral

We booked a show called Bianco for tonight that is here for the Fringe festival. The reviews said it was a little like Cirque. Now, the acrobatics part is, and the stage changes is... However, there are only ten of them. The set changes are constant and there is not electrical. What I mean by that is everything moves by a human pulley system. One guy is off to the side going up and down so the main act can. It is 360 and we stood. There were crew members constantly moving us for set changes and bringing equipment in and out. It was chaotic and I loved it! 

Just Brilliant, and of course they made it look effortless. Tomorrow is our last day- well half day- in Scotland and we have the castle to tour, a lunch place to hit, and one more show to see called Noodle. I can't wait to see what this entails!! 

Last day in London- goin' out with a bang!

So today is our last day in the wonderful city of London. I can't believe how quickly it went by! That means that we clearly had a blast. 

I was up early to get to the Sherlock Holmes Museum at opening since they only let a few people in at a time (only one set of steps for both up and down) it was so neat to be in the 'Sherlock apartment' and to see all of the items and parts that I have read about and seen that are staples in the Sherlock/ Watson relationship. It was very quaint and a great job was done in keeping things as close to the time period and having all of the paraphernalia arranged. 

We headed to Jacks at the Junction for brunch and it was so good! Pancakes, French toast, bacon, sausage, hash browns, OJ. Clearly was not hungry for the rest of the day.

On to the tube, the tube, the train, we arrive in Greenwich to the prime meridian. ** bucket list: be in two places at once** CHECK!

Back on to the train to head to Watner Brothers Harry Potter Studio Tour! Now, for those of you who don't know, I never jumped on this bandwagon. When it first came out I wasn't into any of the magic and such that it had to offer. I saw a few bits and pieces of the first movies but that was it. THIS. WAS. AMAZING. I will now be going home and reading all of the books to then watch all of the movies. The behind the scenes, costumes, scenery, make up, special effects= mind blowng. I took so many pictures!! Here are a few... It was a great way to end our stay in London. I suggest, whether a fan or not, you go. 

All of these created and hand made... Crazy!

Mmmm... It was actually really really good!

 It's gone :(

This was my favorite. You will literally walk in the room and gasp. You can't help it. It's so spectacular!

 Wand room 

 The duel! (Of course I won ;) )

Bye London, it's been a blast!