Hello! I have been away for quite some time, traveling and then coming home with the flu/strep throat. (the sickest I have been in years) I am so excited to be posting finally!!! I cannot wait to visit everyone over the weekend and see what has been happening in each little corner of blogland.
My trip was wonderful. I loved each country for very different reasons. I will start with Ireland and then post in a few days about England and then France. We stayed on the Irish sea at the most wonderful old hotel, The Royal Marine. Ireland is so beautiful, and as green as I imagined, we are definitely going back to spend more time traveling up North and West!
This was definitely the nicest place we stayed at while in Europe.
We flew into Dublin in the dark so I was so excited to get up the next morning and see Ireland This is the view looking out to the Irish Sea from our balcony at about 5 AM.
An old church to the right.
St. Patrick's Day parade. People were there from all over the world.
A Leprechaunn...my husband! The hair color matched his perfect!
Outside of a restaurant where we ate...the food was fabulous.
The people in Ireland were just lovely and friendly. All of the street signs are in Irish and English, but it is hard, I am sad to say, to find anyone who speaks Irish. We traveled to Cork by train and did a little sight seeing.
We had to see the Blarney Castle and kiss the Blarney Stone...
The view from the top is breathtaking!
This is the Blarney stone and yes, it is a long way down. They hold you upside down and your head goes in under. No, I did not kiss it...
There were so many beautiful old churches in Ireland and so many spires dotting the countryside as we traveled by train.
I couldn't leave Ireland without visiting Enya's castle!
And Bono's home...
The four of us standing at the gate. (Tim, me, Maria, and Rob)
Well, dear friends, I hope you have enjoyed this little peek of my trip. I hope to write more within the next few days! I have missed you all and will be visiting you this weekend!
Ireland is where strange tales begin
and happy endings are possible.
~Charles Haughey
As sure as the shamrocks are growing in the land which the Irish all love, as sure as the lakes of Killarney reflect the blue heavens above - as sure as the warmhearted Irish all pay honor to Saint Patrick too, I’m wishing you “top o’the morning” and happiness, always, for you.
Oh Wow Selia.....I think the Ireland pics are my favorite {ok, well they are ALL gorgeous}....but I love lush green land and castles!!! I know it was just stunning there!!
Thanks for sharing!!!
Tiff :)
Posted by: Tiffany | October 11, 2009 at 08:12 PM
Hello dearest Selia,
I am just popping in to tell you how very much I miss your blog posts! I so look forward to many more. Your blog is such a source of inspiration and beauty! I am always blessed by you! You are so kind, beautiful and creative! So, until you are able to post again, I shall throughly enjoy your archives!
Much love to you sweet friend!
Paula
Posted by: Paula | August 04, 2009 at 11:41 AM
Hello, Selia,
You're so missed here in Blog Land. Sure do miss your posts. Hope you're doing well. Would love to hear from you!
Paula
Posted by: Paula Whitaker Whisenant | August 03, 2009 at 07:52 PM
Breathtaking scenery!!
Thanks for sharing!
xo,
jen
Posted by: jennifer | June 02, 2009 at 07:58 PM
So glad you are back but sad that you are sick. Your trip looks delightful!
Michelle
Posted by: michelle | May 04, 2009 at 01:23 PM
Ireland looks absolutely beautiful. Being part Irish, I've always wanted to visit there. And now, I must say, I *have* to start saving up to get there someday! Thanks for sharing your beautiful journey with us.
I hope you get to feeling better soon.
HUGS!
Posted by: Kelly | April 25, 2009 at 09:17 PM
Thanks for sharing your trip photos with us. So lovely.
Posted by: Cathy Santarsiero | April 25, 2009 at 08:48 PM
Hi Selia,
What wonderful pictures! Hubby would be most interested in seeing them as he is of Irish descent. Lovely! Thanks for sharing.
Blessings,
Sandi
Posted by: Sandi | April 25, 2009 at 04:57 PM
Hello, Dear Selia,
How beautiful!! It looks like you had a fabulous time in Ireland! It's so good to have you back and find your emails in my mailbox again! We must do some catching up! Please tell me what wonderfully creative things you're working on since you've returned! I know it's something spectacular! I hope you're feeling much better and enjoying all this beautiful weather in your garden. Happy Spring!
Love, Paula
Posted by: Paula Whitaker Whisenant | April 23, 2009 at 12:42 PM
It is nice that you are feeling better. Thank you for sharing the pictures of your trip with us. Ireland is so beautiful and I can't wait to see England and France.
Thank you for sharing them with us.
Posted by: Ruth | April 20, 2009 at 04:56 PM
Selia dear!!! How happy to have you back here with us!! I'm so sorry you were sick, that is such a nasty bug, we had it too :( no fun!
You were missed but look at the exciting tales you have to share with us!! I've done little traveling so just gazing at your pictures is an AMAZING adventure for me!
I LOVE the castles!! Gosh, I did not realize that Enya had a castle?? How cool is that?!!!!
And your hubby is a HOOT!! hahaha!! So cute!!
That Blarney stone picture made me a little queasy, lol, I'm with you, I will pass, :)
Thanks again for sharing your adventure, I will be looking forward to seeing England thru your eyes dear friend!
It is a shame there weren't many speaking the old language, I do love an Irish or Scottish accent, don't you? ;)
Welcome back!!!
xoxoxo ~ Madai
PS thank you for your visit at Wren Cottage, I was sooo HAPPY to see you!! Hope you have fun playing in your little piece of earth!
Posted by: Madai | April 15, 2009 at 11:24 AM
Welcome back Selia. I've been popping down your Rabbit Hole over the past weeks just to see if there was any word from you and now I can see why there wasn't. What a fantastic trip. You sound to have lived like a lord and lady in the Emerald Isle. Its a wonderful country. Thanks for the tour. I found it very interesting and am looking forward to the next installment, Eli
Posted by: Eli | April 15, 2009 at 11:08 AM
Dearest Selia,
I am so glad you are home! I have missed you so much! I am very sorry to hear how sick you have been! Your photos are so beautiful! I loved seeing them and reading about your trip. Ireland is very beautiful! The hotel you stayed in is so lovely and just look at that view from your balcony! Tim looks great in his leprechaun outfit!
I am glad the food was good! Oh, those castles are amazing! Thank you so much for sharing! I look forward to more!
Love, Paula
Posted by: Paula | April 11, 2009 at 08:36 PM
Wow, how beautiful. David and I have really wanted to go to Ireland. That hotel is amazing. I am sorry you came home sick, but it is so nice to have you back. Clarice
Posted by: clarice | April 11, 2009 at 07:52 PM
Breathtakingly beautiful! I'm so envious, Selia, but so happy you were able to go and had such a good time. I'm eager to see the rest of the pictures from your travels! Welcome home. You were missed!
Posted by: Dee | April 10, 2009 at 08:10 PM
Glad you had a wonderful time, my husband and I were blessed to have lived outside of Dublin for 2 years!!! The tales are endless and so mystical. Can't wait to hear your stories, and maybe later I will share some too!
Posted by: Mary Anne Komar | April 10, 2009 at 05:29 PM
Hi Selia,
Ireland looks so beautiful through your eyes. I've always wanted to visit there. I'll enjoy seeing more of it through your posts.
Happy Easter!
Cori G.
Posted by: Cori. G | April 10, 2009 at 04:37 PM