Ireland & Wales-Wales

Bride & Groom

Whipping Pit

Rhuthin Castle

August 19, 2007-Travel Trials

We are once again traveling with Karen and Ron Cimini. We've been to Italy and Greece with them and so far we're still able to put up with each other's idiosyncrasies.

We left on David's birthday. I compensated for not being home to celebrate by setting up a birthday banner and sticking some candles in a muffin when we got to the Philadelphia Airport for our connecting flight to Manchester, England.

We arrived on time in Manchester. That was unexpected since US Air has such a bad on-time record. We both took an Ambien for the first time on a flight. It did nothing for David. I slept about three hours. Our seats were next to the toilets so we heard and felt the gush and gurgle of every flush. We got the giggles which was definitely detrimental to our going to sleep. There were lots of annoying announcements about the malfunctioning entertainment system and that too kept us up. But it was only a six hour flight so it was bearable. We napped for a couple of hours when we got to our hotel.

Even though we've traveled a lot the rules keep changing. It took me an hour to sort out what had to be packed in a gallon bag, what I didn't need immediately and could go in a checked suitcase, and what I usually carry in my purse but could live without. Once we arrived at our hotel I couldn't just re-sort it all to the toiletries bag and my purse because in four days we fly to Ireland and in the meanwhile we'll be in three different hotels. The fun is gone. The organization is gone. Our things might as well be gone since we can't find anything. I’ve never used the word "hate" before but I hate the people who caused this situation, I hate our leaders who perpetuate it, I hate the people who could stand up to the bullies in their midst and don't, and I hate that I hate them.

Green Needs Rain

Wales promises to be wet and lush. I guess you can't have one without the other. Right now it's gusting. I packed to dress in layers but it was disconcerting to be hauling out my fall clothing in August. It just cut the summer short.

We're staying at the Ruthin Castle Hotel in the town of Ruthin. We arrived safely enough thanks to David's ability to remember how to drive left. My job is to yell, "wide right, tight left, and you're too far left."

The castle is everything the name promises: carved rich wood, luxurious area rugs, and a wedding. The women were dressed in trendy floral afternoon attire. Several wore retro-40's hat-like hair ornaments made of tulle and feathers. Many men, the groom included, wore dress military uniforms. The bride was from Croatia and the groom was English. They were charming and let us take photos.

Since it was raining, we were only able to view the grounds from inside. They’re a delight and tenderly cared for. There are bridges, peacocks, stone walls, turrets, and towers. It was built in 1255 and has had a spotty parade of occupants. Not surprising in this land of King Arthur's tales, Merlin, and fairies. Karen is a maven of such things and told me that most fairy tales originated in Wales.

We'll only be here one night. I think the idea was to give us a castle-stay experience and not break the bank. Rooms are costly here. Tomorrow we move thirty-five miles down the road to a B and B. Yes, the distances are posted in miles not kilometers. Don't know why. The rooms we have at the castle are laughable. We expected small European rooms, and this didn't disappoint. The peeling wallpaper and light fixture falling off the wall over the bed was a nice touch.

We took a wander to the town. It's a wonder of old English houses framed by rolling hills. Since they've had a particularly rainy summer everything is green and in flower. The problem is that I've seen it all before in England and Scotland. I need to get my enthusiasm up. I'm really jaded and Ireland was never way up high on my list of places to go. I've not been interested in their history and didn't enjoy the James Michener tome, I forget the title. I'm not into leprechauns or faeries. Scenery is scenery after a while. This might be a long three weeks.

I pulled some ligaments in my knee and am wearing a wrap that managed to set off the alarm in security. I'm mostly not in pain but it swells. I’ll ice it at night. It's a worry but I don't think it will keep me from doing anything.

Now that I've ranted I think it's time to let you know that you’re welcome to read these emails or not and to send them to anyone you think might enjoy them.

Toby