Ireland

After leaving Scotland on the most upscale ferry we have ever seen, we landed in Belfast in northern Ireland. We drove to the scenic north coast to the most funky hotel ever. Our rooms were above the bar where we had to check in and get our keys, and the bartender helped us carry our luggage up the rickety stairs (too funny). And from here we were able to experience the scenic north coast of Ireland...

There is a World Heritage Site called the Giant Causeway that we toured. It is the most interesting formations of rocks that look like giants placed them there all along the coast...

Sitting on the giant's handiwork...

From there we went to the Royal Portrush Golf Course (another famous golf course where the British Open will be played this year) for lunch. And then on to the "Dark Hedges". It's a beautiful avenue of beech trees planted in the 18th century. They are dark and mysterious and shown often in the series Game of Thrones.

And it was also here that the Captain is seen sitting on the Iron Throne from The Game of Thrones...

Also here up on the north coast is the Dunluce Castle dated from the 1500's...

The whole north coast of Ireland is beautifully wild and is shown often in the series, Game of Thrones.

We ended our time on the north coast at a Pub in Ballycastle where we ended up tasting Irish whiskeys all night. And yes, they are different than Scottish whiskeys. And the Captain and I continued our search for the best Irish coffee...

Then we drove south all day on little bitty one way dirt roads trying to find our way to our next lodging in the Delphi Valley. The scenery was spectacular even though we were tired of the tedious driving on the "wrong" side of the road. They do like their stone walls and hedges which both crowd the sides of the roads. But we made it to the Delphi Lodge...

It was an elegant fishing lodge that was used by the British Royals in the 1800's. And still is an elegant fishing lodge in the most remote part of Ireland.

It was situated on the Doolough Path where many died during the famine in the 1800's and there were many plaques around the property to remind us of it.

All around the Delphi valley, waterfalls and beauty everywhere...

We took an afternoon to go and see the Westport House, which was the main house in which the fishing lodge was a part of. It was the equivalent of Downton Abbey in Ireland in its day. It was built in 1730...

It was built on top of the ruins of a castle dating back to the 1500's. It belonged to a famous Pirate Queen, Grace O'Malley who ruled the seas from Scotland to Spain.
I just had to have my picture taken with a statue of her...

As we left the Delphi Valley and headed south, we passed by this famous Abbey. We were sorry that we didn't have time to tour it, but so enjoyed the magnificent view...

Wild, green, spectacular Ireland...

And so our time together with Judy and Paul was ending...we are so thankful for this wondrous time with our family...

After Paul and Judy left us to return to the States, we headed south to Cork. Our dear friend Dominique (who we met in Sardinia many years ago) has moved here with his fiancée Jane. What fun to reconnect with them!!! They showed us all around the south coast which was magnificent, like the rest of Ireland...

It was truly wonderful to get to know and love Jane, as we do Domonique!

We were left with the impression of the Irish as the friendliest,  playful, and open hearted people in the world! What a treat to spend time with them and the Scots as well. This statue sums it up for us and we say "Thank You" to all of them...

Finally...

Well I am FINALLY going to get this blog going since the summer is more than half over for us. It's been an interesting, curious summer full of new twists and turns and unexpected adventures. We arrived in Aguadulce (on the southern coast of Spain) in mid May to reunite with EcstaSea. She had a restful winter nap in port and was ready to come out and play.
We arrived within just a few days of the May full moon and enjoyed her fullness from the foredeck of Esea (my nickname for EcstaSea) in port:

A few days later we heard that a dear friend was very ill in the States, so we packed our bags and headed back home to America.We spent a few days in Tucson home and then went on to California to see her. What a blessed time we had with such a love- heart connection, that it made us thankful that we had come.
Then we flew back to Spain and arrived on Esea just in time for the June full moon. And once again celebrated Her fullness in port:

There was a craft fair in port and we met a really cool couple selling jewelry and unique hats. The hats are made out of a tropical flower out of Columbia.

The hats are funky and fun, as well as the couple, and of course, the Captain just had to have one:

And still EcstaSea had to stay in port and delay her sailing, as we flew to Scotland to our grandson's graduation from the University of St Andrews. It was our first time in Scotland and we began in Edinburg.
We first toured Edinburg Castle in the heart of old town:

Iconic red telephone booth:

And bagpipes everywhere, even in the center of town:

And here in Edinburg we began our exploration of Scottish whiskey with a tour and tasting at the Whiskey Experience. Here is the Captain in front of the largest unopened whiskey collection in the world. All four walls of this room are covered with unique, unopened, old and expensive whiskeys:

Even a bottle made exclusively for Prince Charles and Diana:

Then we picked up Richard's sister Judy and her husband Paul at the airport. We rented a car (which in itself could be a blog about the challenges of driving on the wrong side of the road down dirt paths which they call roads!!!) and drove over to St Andrews for Jack's graduation.

Handsome fellow isn't he? Just like his Grandpop...

...
We had a great week with the family and are so thankful for this time together.
Another plus for the Captain was that he was able to play golf at the oldest and first golf course in the world, The Old Course at St Andrews. This is where it all began and only a golfer would understand the significance.

Hair still windblown, even though he is not on the boat...

The Captain with his caddy...

The Captain, grandson Jack, and brother in law, Paul on the famous Swilcum Bridge on the 18th hole at the Old Course at St Andrews...

After a week with the family, we toured the rest of Scotland with Judy and Paul. We headed north to the Highland region and stayed in Inverness. We drove the next day to the Isle of Skye but typical of Scotland, it was cold and rainy. It was breathtakingly beautiful and reminded us of Alaska. And why we didn't take any pictures is beyond me, unless it was because of the cold and rain!

The next day we went to Culloden where the famous battle of the Jacobite Uprising took place. It was up in this Highland region that was the backdrop for the Outlander Series-- the books and now the TV series, which we can't recommend enough!

It was up in this region that we saw the Highland cows, which we took to calling the "Shaggy Cows".
Really cool, aren't they?

Then we drove by Loch Ness and looked for Nessie, but she was hiding since it was so dreary, rainy out...

Then we headed down south stopping at Whiskey Distilleries along the way...

The last night in Scotland we stayed at a very elegant resort with an extensive whiskey selection in their bar. For some reason the men decided to call it an early night, so Judy and I decided to stroll into the bar to sample some more Scottish whiskey. And yes, they did have quite a selection of which the bartender had great fun bringing to us. And just when we were uncontrollably giggling because we were lost and couldn't find our way back to our rooms, the Captain came just in time to find and rescue us from ourselves.

And yes, we did learn to say the Gaelic toast, "Slainte Mhath"--pronounced "Slange-va". And yes, we said it quite often!!!

Then it was time to cross over to Ireland on the ferry--but that's another story...

Still Here...

Yes, it's been a very long time since I posted anything new on this blog--let's hope I remember how to do it!
Maybe I will just start with some photos of our winter time in the Tucson desert:

Our cardinals are still here, waiting for us to feed them as they entertain us with their beauty...

Very, very unusual winter storm with the most snow we have ever seen at out home...
The mountains covered in snow outside of our back wall:

The snow coming down and covering our backyard fountain:

The snow coming down in the pool:

The snow in our front yard:

And our hummingbirds still feeding on the patio while it is snowing:

Those of you who are used to snow, please forgive all of the snow pictures. This was a big deal to us. Remember this is the desert so it was quite a treat for us to behold!

As always, a fun trip to Las Vegas...
Where the Captain always finds money!!! That is only one 5 dollar bill with nothing but many, many hundred dollar bills behind it!

Too much fun...

We also made a new and wonderful friend who gifted us with this beautiful painting. She had painted it but says that when she met us she knew it was ours to celebrate our love! And yes, we do celebrate our love and now celebrate our love for her also. She is quite gifted and we are so appreciative of her gifting us.

And now hanging on our wall near our sacred meditation area:

And on April 18th  we celebrated our 10 year Wedding Anniversary!!!!
Time is so illusory as it seems we have been together forever and other times it feels as though we have just met. But whatever the number, it is perfect... as we continue our commitment to grow this love and knowing of one another... into Oneness.

We went to a little hideaway south of Tucson where we had nothing to do but celebrate each other.
It's in Tubac, about 60 miles south and altho it is still desert, it is lush and green.

And how perfect that it was also full moon. So see the moon rising thru the middle of the tree, the same tree as above by the pond:

And now a little higher and to the right of the tree:

And now a selfie with Mother Moon in the background bringing even more magic to an already magical time together! Thank you Mama...

Okay, I guess I didn't forget how to do this, so there will be more coming about our summertime on EcstaSea. Till soon......