Oak Lodge - Home for the Next Two Months |
Oak Lodge Lounge CLICK on any IMAGE to ENLARGE |
Basil's New Paint Job |
|
Pembroke Townhouse |
Searsons, and Our First Taste of Guinness |
The Grand Canal CLICK on any IMAGE to ENLARGE |
The Dolphin Beach House CLICK on any IMAGE to ENLARGE |
Clodagh (delighted by Robert Kidd's description of her in our travel instructions) |
Barbara and Clodagh |
Sea Cave, a short walk from the hotel |
Highland Sheep, common here and in Scotland where they are suited to the rugged terrain |
Hiking in Connemara National Park, a short drive away |
Irish Pony |
Old Irish Breed of Cows, not so
common now
|
Enniscoe House |
The Lounge |
Dinner |
A Princess in her Boudoir Painting in our Room. What is the Story Here? Is it rape, or is she about to cut off the hand of her attacker? Or is it Opera? |
Ornate Front Door Knocker adds to the Gothic Drama CLICK on any IMAGE to ENLARGE |
Antique Front Door Lock Lough Conn |
During our stay at Enniscoe House we drove into Ballina, the nearest town, where a Heritage Festival was in full swing. On some posters it was billed as a "Salmon Festival". Whatever, the streets were closed off and teeming with revelers. There was a traction engine in full steam, an excellent country rock band playing on the main stage and Irish folk musicians on small stages elsewhere. It was a real family day out (right). There were a few quirky things like the Ballina Cowboys (far right). There were numerous food stalls and we chose one selling hot smoked mackerel and potato wedges for lunch. We went in a pub to sample a half pint of Guinness and watched Andy Murray lose at Center Court, Wimbledon. Our disappointment was later alleviated by the Swiss gent, Roger Federer, winning the final. |
Misty View |
Castle Gate and Sheep |
Walking to Omey Island |
Coopershill House Coopershill Breakfast CLICK on any IMAGE to ENLARGE |
Ancient Bath and... |
..the "Control Panel" |
Rosses Point Lighthouse from the Old Watchouse |
The "Metal Man" at Rosses Point has guided sailors into Sligo Harbour since 1821 |
A Troupe of Irish Guard Veterans with their Irish Wolfhound Mascots at Lissadell House |
Llamas at Lissadell House |
Castle Murray ruins |
Immaculate Boats in Killybegs Harbour |
Ba Fhionntra (Fintragh Bay) |
Slieve League Cliffs rise to a staggering 1,972 feet above sea level |
Sherpa Sheep at Slieve League CLICK on any IMAGE to ENLARGE |
Glaciated Valley |
The Coast at Portnoo Harbor |
Ce An Bhuna Bhig (Bunbeg Harbour) |
Typical road Hazard |
Rathmullen House |
Rathmullen House Bedroom |
Dinner View |
Great Expectations on the Lawn |
Audience CLICK on any IMAGE to ENLARGE |
Lough Swilly Shore |
Searsons Again |
Beautifully Restored and Maintained Gents |
Old Aer Lingus DC3 on the Runway at Dublin as we await takeoff to Birmingham in a modern Aer Lingus A320 |
Barb and Mick at Hythe |
Me and My Little Bro (now 60!) |
Oast Houses at Sissinghurst Castle (Formerly used for drying hops) |
Amber and Josh (my nephew) arriving at Canterbury West station after a hard day's work (they claim) in London |
Josh, Amber, Barb and Nigel (my bro) in Canterbury CLICK on any IMAGE to ENLARGE |
Ladies Line Up at the Kashmir Indian Restaurant. L-R Maisie (Amber's friend), Amber, Sandra (Nigel's Wife) and Angela (Michael's Wife) |
Barb Meets Esme for the First Time (Katie, Esme's Mum, in background) |
Love at First Sight |
Big Feet and Little Feet Jon & Katie's Cat, Chicken
>>
|
Thatched House in Stoke Bruerne |
Old Working Boat Sculptor (left) and Maker's Plate (above) (PLATE DOES NOT ENLARGE) |
|
The Boat Inn, Stoke Bruerne Stoke is one of the most iconic villages on the canal system. |
Barb and "Horse" |
Bee at Work outside Oak Lodge |
Double Rainbow over the Lodge The weather has been pretty dismal since our return on July 31st. |
Hear, Speak, See No Evil |
In the Boardwalk Restaurant |
Basil Waits to Enter Stenson Lock |
Finally, the Weather Got to Me CLICK on any IMAGE to ENLARGE |
Pleasant Town Mooring in Burton-upon-Trent |
Carved Bench, somewhat faded since our last visit in 2011 CLICK on any IMAGE to ENLARGE |
Birds Congregating on Dead Tree |
Alrewas Sports Three Pubs William IV (left), George & Dragon (above) and the Crown (right) |
||
Much Photographed Cottage in Alrewas |
Produce, Pickles and an Honesty Box outside ('Cottage Industry'?) |
Alrewas Weir. The River Trent Exits the Canal |
Alrewas River Section (above and right) |
View of Needwood Forest from Final Mooring |