IRISH ODYSSEY - DAY 2

IRISH ODYSSEY...DAY 2...JUNE 27 2012...

We were finding out that we would be up most mornings at 6 a.m., or there-abouts.  Breakfast was always at 7 a.m., but it took us time to get ourselves put together.  The older you get, the longer it takes. 

Breakfasts in Ireland were a hoot.  All were buffet style, the food was really good, lots of it.  But --- we were served BAKED BEANS every single morning, along with grilled tomatoes, in addition to all the buns and rolls and bacon, and eggs, and sliced salami or some such thing, toast, porridge (which was really realy good) juice, tea, coffee, and other stuff that I can't even remember.  But baked Beans?????

We had a wonderful group of folks on the bus, really enjoyed every one of them.  But there is always that one person, or one couple.  We had the couple.

They were an older  couple, lots of fun to talk with, very considerate, and, from our conversations, very well traveled.  Been everywhere, done that, seen this.  You know what I mean.

They carried an endless supply of small plastic zip-lock bags with them.  Every morning after they had eaten their breakfast, he went back through the line, filling his plate with buns, meat, cheese, and fresh fruit (apples, bananas, etc.).  Upon returning to the table he made sandwiches for him and his wife.  Put them in the plastic bags.  Put the bags in his back pack (the tour company had supplied us all with back packs prior to the trip) and away they went.  The first day the rest of us just looked at each other.  What on earth???

Lunch time.  In the small restaurant (lunches were on us, the only meal on the trip that was not paid for by the tour) they sit down, didn't matter which one of our group they sat with, opened their zip-lock bags and removed their lunch.  They did purchase their drinks.  This was an every day occurrence.  One restaurant did confront him indicating that he could not do that, he agreed with them, and kept on
 eating.

Just when you think you have seen everything!

But I am rambling again.  This was the day we visited the Megalithic Tombs in the morning, then in the evening had our dinner at Abbey Tavern.  Here is History Lesson  #?, well whatever number.

Before touring the tombs we visited the Boyne Valley Visitor Center, where we learned the history of the stone age people who created these tombs, along with what many things would have looked like in their time.

Then on to the tombs.  The Great Mound was built over 5000 years ago.  It has 18 smaller satelite mounds around it.  This was in Knowth, in the county of Meath. 

These Stone Age  people were also the first known farmers in Ireland.  When the tombs were discovered, they found the remains of over 200 people.  From the site of these tombs we could see the Boyne River, for which the valley is named.  The Celtic or Old Irish spelling of the Boyne is 'bru na Boinne'.

The afternoon was free, then we re-boarded the bus for our trip to Abbey Tavern.

This is an old world Pub, with original stone walls, flag stone floor, turf (peat) fires in the fireplaces.  Abbey Tavern hosts the original 'Traditional Irish Night' which features trditional Irish music, consisting of song and dance.  Prior to the entertainment we had a typical 4 course Irish dinner, including Irish Coffee.  Nancy got hooked on Irish Coffee, and she does not drink alcoholic beverages.  But she just loved her coffee.

It was late (the entertainment did not end until after 10 p.m.) when we returned to our hotel. 

We had to be up, have out bags outside in the hallway the next morning by 6 a.m.  Breakfast at 7a.m., then back on to the bus for our next adventure, and a new hotel in a different area.

I hope you are enjoying our adventure.  Wish for rain, as we are desperately dry, and God Bless. 

ps:  either I am really dumb, or the computer is really smart.  would not do the pictures as I indicated I wanted them done.  bear with me, please.