Browse with me?
Category Archives: Old World Travel
Harlech Castle, Wales
The trip to Harlech Castle was just missing a soundtrack. Seriously. It was a fairy tale castle with incredible views. It was drizzly the day we visited which meant we had the place nearly to ourselves. The children scrambled up and down the towers and lookouts til they wore themselves out. I don't think we could ever tire of this. We will leave here someday but I am so glad they got to do this.
Harlech Castle has a bit of a checkered past. It has played roles in many battles and changed hands many times over the years. It is in ruins today but you can see the footprint of the original interior rooms. Castles like these are built around a large central courtyard and the rooms line the outside walls. (one room deep) Sort of the opposite way regular homes are built. This means the actual usable interior space is much smaller than you would imagine looking from a distance. The courtyard in larger structures could house local villagers as a fortress in case of attack.
Enough of all that. Come traipse through with us…
to the falls
It was a little drizzly the day we decided to hike to the falls in Wales. It was apparently "that" kind of cloudy day where it would be staying overcast but not going to progress to a downpour. I still have not become savvy enough at reading clouds to know for sure which is which, but Alannah and Allen seemed pretty confident and sure enough we had a good climb.
This was a remarkably steep trail but it led to some incredible views. Also an incredibly high overlook which tempted one boy enough to earn him a tongue wagging from his sisters. It's like having 3 mama's for the second set of kids around here. We don't miss much between us. ; )
We lunched at the top and then made our way back down in time to cross the little wooden bridge (by car) across the lake to the cabin side before the toll man closed up shop. I wish I had gotten a shot of that. The girls were joking it was only missing some goats and a troll. White painted wood bridge. One lane. Across the whooooole lake. I couldn't shoot. I was busy breathing.
Lisbon in living color
I have this little window of connectivity, hence the mega-share tonight. We aren't sure what is happening with our service. It was pretty much non-existent all weekend and may well return to that. It's fickle that way, euro-internet. ; )
These images came from our first 24 hours in Lisbon, wandering around the waterfront where the marathon was held. The boys and I hung out down here while Allen ran. (he ran the half prepping for tomorrow's Dublin marathon)
This is my boys being brave. They are supposed to at least give a try at ordering food or buying souvenirs. Let me tell you, this is a little intimidating even for grown ups. I am really proud of them and this picture sums up alot of what we hoped for them when we began this journey.
Here he is coming down the finish line.
If you made it this far we are now half of us in Dublin and the other half here at home in our pjs watching a lot of movies and drinking copious amounts of cocoa. Can you guess which half I am in lol? We are expecting this big St Jude Storm to hit the UK during the night. We have the garden furniture and pots put away and the trampoline tied to the fence. We aren't in the direct line of fire so hoping this just amounts to a windy day at home.
fall bulbs
Buried in autumn, blooming in spring.
The hydrangeas were all that was left in Wales this month, but I smiled when I passed this bag of bulbs. Springtime in a sack.
row, row, row
You're ok with me doing this all random and out of order, right? I so want to share what we have seen but haven't gotten to sorting all the images yet.
We met this group of children taking their lessons one morning in Wales. They had waterproof pants and jackets but they weren't wet suits nor were they warm as evidenced by the "oh! my's" that escaped from a few of them when they pushed out into the open water. Fresh sea air, exercise, good clean fun. Awesome way for kids to spend a morning. Makes you wish you were Welsh, I tell ya. Unless you are as terrified of water as I. Then it just makes you glad you have your camera along. : )
Lisbon in black and white
no words, just pictures tonight
Portugese Sunrise
So… Portugal. I didn't tell anyone we were even going until the trip week was upon us. We planned to take this trip two years ago. I spent it in the hospital instead. Though we have gone many places since, somehow this trip just struck a little fear in my heart, remembering. It felt a little jinxy to mention it as certainly as I had then. My body did fight back some on this trip but we made it and we saw so many beautiful things. The best moments traveling together are these though – the together part. While we love the big family trips, these shorter adventures with just a few of the kids make for a gift of one on one time with them.
I am really grateful my guys were game for getting up in the wee hours to walk to the marina with me to watch the sun come up over the water. I have spent so many years stealing every moment of sleep possible – since they are always elusive in our family. It's sort of counterintuitive for me to set the clock on vacation, but it was so very worth it. We were alone on the boardwalk, save for a few early morning runners, and it was magically still.
Well, it was magically still until Kieran was completely awake and feeling his oats. ; )
The other awesome part about traveling with my guys? They carry my stuff. I owe you one, Aidan!
through a window in Wales
I keep coming back to this image, one of my favorites of our recent travels. The landscapes are breathtaking, but I'm always drawn to the faces.
little pink houses
Such a time we have had. Sunrises, sea breezes, fado serenades, and yes…
beautiful pink houses.
We are mostly unpacking and some of the crew are gearing up for one more trip. Hope to share more in coming days. My body had enough today though. Sidelined by a migraine. So this is all for tonight.
(ps. there are website changes in the works, general housecleaning that is much overdue. The facebook page is really good place to check in and keep in touch. Sometimes there is only time to post there. Thanks!)
Starry Sky Journal 