Have you ever visited a place and left without experiencing it fully and regretted it later?
Yes? Me too!
In 1984, Bob and It toured the British Isles.
A special part of that tour was Ireland.
One of the places I most wanted to visit was
Blarney Castle.
If you go to Ireland and you go to
Blarney Castle what do you do?
You kiss the Blarney Stone!
Not if you are me! You see, I had a broken foot!
That sounds like a broken record, I know.
Let's see...I had a broken foot March 2011
and April 2012. Well, 2012 was a broken toe
but that's on my foot, right?
April 2010, I was blessed to be able to accompany
my Son, Daughter and Grandson
on a similar tour of the British Isles.
You have just approached the Blarney Castle with us
in the pictures above. I get a DO OVER!
As we enter the tower I observe
what seems to be the exit.
Hmmmm, that's good, at least
there is an escape.
You think they had guns? Oh, arrows, yes, of course.
Oh my! Daughter Kim and I get our first
glimpse of our route. The tour guide said
127 steps!! That looks like at least 843 steps.
My handsome grandson is taking pictures.
He refuses to be go on record as covorting
with this group of looneys.
These pics were not taken at the same spot.
They were taken along the way.
That is my son in the white hat just below me.
He knew I couldn't fall on him.
There wasn't room!
We are looking at the bottom of the steps that are spiraling above us. That light is a photo glare, I think.
Finally, a spot where handsome son,
Robby, could stand beside me. Sorta!
Just a bit further! What?
Hey friends, don't give up on us now. We're almost there!
Oh no, if you think you are going to get me
in the kitchen after that climb, you have
bats in your belfry.
Kim, did you count those steps? How many left!
Whew! Wow, nice view of the village.
Up again? Kim, did you say you were counting?
I am half Irish. My uncle SAID
he had a place over here! Nice digs!
Now THAT'S a birds eye view!
We made it!
I counted 844. Kim, what did you get?
What? A queue?
It is Kim's turn. Good, she didn't fall through
that big hole. I am bigger, I will be ok!
I have to remember, when I was here the first time
I was 44 years old, on this visit I am 70. I can do this!
Whoo Hoo! This is me. The old broad did it!
Whoo Hoo!
Alright, I did it, let's get out of here!
Me thinks it will be harder going down!
Kim, get outta there. We got things to do!
I wanted you to see this interesting view.
We MUST remember NOT to enter the lobby below!
That's not good, they're going to beat me to
IT!
I kissed that blankety blank stone,
now, let's go shopping!
I remember this place.
Oh yes, this was as far as I got in 1984!
I hope you enjoyed this Blarney!
Now, let's party here:
29 comments:
What a wonderful memory for you and your kids!!!
Would love to see Ireland, lucky you!
Great post
Hugs,
Suzan
Oh my, this brought back some happy memories when we did that in 1992. Ireland is the most beautiful holiday destination. We loved it so much and the people are so welcoming. So pleased you got to kiss the blarney.
We have Irish friends who have never kissed it.
xx
I am glad you got a do-over. The views are fabulous, but why did you have to lay down and kiss the stone upside down?
Ginger, I looks like y'all had a great time in Ireland. A visit to Ireland is on my bucket list, but until I get there, I thoroughly enjoyed your visit to Blarney Castle. Hope you're staying cool in Savannah.
Babs
This just excites me to pieces Ginger. We are going to Ireland next Spring, as you know, Alex is marching in the St. Patrick's day parade there. This looks so awesome, I can't wait. Thanks for sharing.
Dearest Ginger,
So glad you got to go back and made it to kiss the Blarney Stone!
We've worked several times in Ireland as consultants and traveled the entire island but we didn't get the time to do what you did! Nevertheless, we were there and took it in. Being in Belfast in the very street where they blew up some people the week before was scary too... So we've been in hot spots.
Love to you,
Mariette
So glad you got to kiss that stone. I could never make those stairs today, no way. Glad you experienced it with family. xo
Such great photos! I hope to get these some day!!
I'm so glad you got a do over and you made it up all those stairs too! Phew! Thanks for sharing great photos of a great memory.
Awesome post Ginger!! Your pictures made me feel like I was right there with you! Beautiful!
Looks like you had a grand time! So neat you got to do this. Those steps would have been the death of me!
Have a great holiday!
My hubby and I went to Ireland several years ago. His hat fell off when he kissed the Blarney stone, but we found it when we went down. It was our dream vacation!
Ginger, this is a fun post. Wow, you've done this twice. That's terrific. Should bring you lots of luck.
Thanks fr sharing and have a delightful 4th of July.
What a wonderful trip down memory lane- My daughter kissed the Blarney Stone, too! She said it put a crick in her neck...now I know why! Great post- xo Diana
Love your post thanks for sharing JoAnn
Good for you! I have terrible claustrophobia and was having trouble breathing just reading this...I guess I won't be experiencing this, so glad you did!
Carol
I know EXACTLY what you mean about not fully exploring a place. I broke my foot in Paris at the base of the Eiffel Tower.
I'm soooooo glad you had this opportunity to return and explore. Thanks for sharing with your great sense of humor. I don't know that I'll get to visit Ireland. I'm saving my money for Paris...again.
I want to go to Ireland,that is on my list,my peeps came from Ireland.NUGENT
I love getting to see pics of two of your kiddos! You are one brave lady. There's no way I would have kissed the Blarney Stone. My thighs started burning just thinking about climbing all of those steps! ;o)
What a handsome group! You are way braver than I am, Irish or not! My fear of heights would have stopped me in my tracks! I am so proud of you for kissing that blarney stone and walking all those stairs! Woo-Hoo!
Hugs, GraceinAZ (Pat)
Glad to know that you finally kissed it. Wonderful pics! Thanks for the tour.
My Blue Monday.
Thanks for sharing this blue. I never quite understood my mother when she explained about the contorted position to kiss the Blarney Stone. Thanks to you, now I understand!
Happy Blue Monday, Ginger.
I enjoy your story. I have a smile on face as I go through the pictures and read the post at the same time. Okey it's been years after you visited Blarney again, good thing you made it this time. Such beautiful and historical place just don't pass the lobby hahahahaha. Thanks for sharing this post I do enjoy it.
Kim,USA
Wow...I am so proud of you ... You did it...how beautiful that place was....My dad was Irish...i want to someday go to Ireland to seek out part of my roots!..Maybe I will take the same climb that you did..!! and kiss that ole Blarney Stone!!
Wow, that was a great adventure:)
Visiting for Blue Monday- hope you can stop by..
http://www.sweetposh.info/2012/07/denim-jacket.html
Looks like fun! My daughter and I visited Ireland a few years ago and just loved it. We didn't go to Blarney Castle, but saw lots of other fabulous sights all along the west coast.
Stopping by from The Polohouse Favorites on the First.
Such great photos, Ginger, and what wonderful memories to share with your children.
My mother has never left the country and now, at 80, I do not think she will be able to get very far --- bad hip.
Love your sense of humor in all you do.
Thanks soooo much for sharing!
xox
Alison
So fun! Thanks for bringing your revisit to Seasonal Sundays.
- The Tablescaper
Wow Ginger! It brought back great memories! My kids all kissed the Blarney stone, but when I tried to do it, I couldnt get back and down far enough. I had to go 8 more inches!! No way! I threw my back out! But what a gorgeous place, huh?
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