Old meets new (shopping mall in Galway): These doors, so close together, off a main street; what and who for? In Galway’s Eyre Square. Sadly the inscription has worn away… or did he erase it? These look and feel like leather, but are made from recycled cork floor tiles: The ring was a clear signalContinue reading “Galway”
Category Archives: 5-minute reads
Decisions, decisions.
Decisions; every day, everywhere. Some wise, others less so, but sometimes they are forced upon us… Mallow racecourse, Co Cork, 1983. With just three minutes of fuel left, the captain of a gulf-stream jet put down on the only piece of level ground he could see. And there it sat. Jet aircraft don’t work wellContinue reading “Decisions, decisions.”
Protecting what’s precious.
Dublin Castle, in the centre of town, with a street view so totally underwhelming that even some locals don’t know it exists. The entry reveals a courtyard surrounded by a brick building. But take the tour anyway, since you’re already there. And that’s the best decision you’ll make all day. Beneath the castle lies theContinue reading “Protecting what’s precious.”
Over his dead body.
Passport control stopped the Belfast to Dublin express bus in the middle of nowhere. Three uniforms boarded; passports please! There was only one they couldn’t verify…. guess who! I explained that Dublin was the only place I could vote in the New Zealand elections which were closing the next day, not that my vote madeContinue reading “Over his dead body.”
Land of mystery…
Of all the places to store ammunition during WW1, Carrickfergus Castle… And in WW2 it was the local air raid shelter! Surely they felt like sitting ducks? Heading north, both the Unionists and Nationalists flags hang at half mast. Nobody’s died; the flags are set at the ladder’s maximum reach! Also at maximum reach, thisContinue reading “Land of mystery…”
When strangers become family.
There’s risk in making, or responding to, contact with distant relatives. Whilst it’s unlikely they are actual murderers, differences in character and expectations can be fraught. Thus it was with some trepidation that I reached out to folk in Ireland who share the same ancestors and, amazingly, are on the original farm. From their perspective,Continue reading “When strangers become family.”
Standing the test of time.
The walls of Conway castle, Wales, were built in 1234. Oh, to weather that well! Conway’s architecture is wonderfully random. As I stood in a Conway stŕeet, the unmistakablebeat of horse hooves behind. A white-grey horse trotting with intent, pulling a black lighter-weight gig. Two gents, one in the driving seat and the other hangingContinue reading “Standing the test of time.”
There would have been more…
Only an aisle seat remained. This was Dublin central bussing, busy at Thursday lunchtime. The gent in the window seat watched me approach. His gaze was steady, from clear blue eyes surrounded by the wear and tear of eighty-odd years. He shuffled slightly to make space. A navy jacket topped grey checked trousers that hisContinue reading “There would have been more…”
Change is all around…
Gwrych Castle, North Wales, is over 2000 years old, over half of that time in the ownership of the Dundonalds. And if you’ve heard of it, then you’ve probably watched ‘I’m a celebrity.’ Imagine staying in a building created back in the iron age. You can; they welcome tourists. The castle is unusual because itContinue reading “Change is all around…”
Ginger nuts are still ginger nuts.
Sandwiches are a thing in UK cities. A big thing, along with coffee, cheese, and vaping. So much vaping. Sandwiches come slathered with mayonaise, rather than butter. A Liverpool shop offers a sandwich, hot or cold, with five kinds of cheese on it, all at once. Vegetables are harder to include in the travelers diet.Continue reading “Ginger nuts are still ginger nuts.”
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