But They Don't Listen to Me

We're staying at Greenfields just outside of Wicklow, Ireland. We've decided that we like Wicklow and its seaside charm and the restaurants. I think its proximity to Dublin via freeway is part of its prosperity.

                                

The two photos above are the road that goes past Greenfields. While it is indeed charming and bucolic, it is also the largest road that I drove on yesterday, (besides catching a bit of the freeway for about 20 km). Walk at your own risk...park wherever you like.

           

(Here I sit...working on my blog)

                        

Greenfields has horses and tiny horses and an old dog...and judging from my allergies...I'd say a few other animals. But it is charming (like all of Ireland) and we like it. By the way...Greenfields is surrounded by a golf course. I think EVERYTHING in Ireland is surrounded by a golf course. I think this is in part because, this country is rather small and in land-comparison, that makes it seem like everything is surrounded by a golf course. Or....everything IS indeed, surrounded by a golf course.

                  

We were driving an impossibly tiny, curvy road when we passed some sort of local park. Makaila said, "turn around!" It would be easier to do a U-turn on the 315 at rush hour in Columbus. But we did and stumbled upon what would best be described as Ireland's Hocking Hills...(save for the presence of Bob Evans and Wal-Mart.)

                           

                                Why go all the way to Ireland to look at trees?

                                Why not.

                             

Our ultimate destination for the morning was this government park and the ruins of a 5th Century monastery. It was surrounded by an awesome graveyard, that would do any HBO drama proud.

                  

The monastic tradition in Ireland is quite extensive and the monks, when not writing the Book of Kells...were making stone monastic buildings and living a shockingly long distance from civilization....such as it was in the 5th century.

                          

This monestary dates from the 5th century but the buildings from then are totally gone so what you and I are seeing as the "new" structures from the 12th century. And even though there were guided tours walking through the grounds, the place had a calm atmosphere. I would love to see it on a misty morning.

                     

Moving on from the monestary we hiked the trails to this mountain lake. The photos do not do it justice. We noted that the tourists were totally decked out in Northface trendy hiking boots with moisture-wicking hiking clothes and walking sticks. Yours truly had on year old running shoes and golf pants that I bought at the clearance rack of Dick's Sporting Goods. And I lived to tell about it.

                        

Besides the illustration in the bathroom telling you NOT to stand on the toilet seats...this Caution sign was my favorite from yesterday. It was not far from the Monestary and possibly indicates that you can now walk on water.

                    

            Makaila among the ruins.

                              

When the Irish are not surrounding themselves with golf courses, they are surrounding themselves with trendy organic restaurants by the seaside. This town was but a stone's throw from Dublin and had that Easton-vibe but we rather liked it. I say again....what would it be like to grow up living near the sea? Something for me to continually ponder.

             

Powerscourt Estate

In a long-since-bye gone era, this was an estate for an English Viscount. It grew from a simple possibly Medieval castle into a grand estate. But times caught up with it and though the title and land passed down to succeeding generations...alas....the family fortune did not.

I suppose the money was built on trade within the English Empire during its high point but that era is now past. Some 50 years ago, the Slazenger's family,  the cousins of the Viscount Powerscourt, bought the estate with the plan to spruce up the mansion and invite the public to view it. The spectacular gardens would also draw the public (meaning...the public would pay to view the elaborate mansion and grounds.)

                  

Tragically, just before the opening of the mansion, it caught fire and totally burned up every piece of furniture, leaving the mansion but a shell. But they "soldiered on" and opened up the gardens...which quite honestly...are stunning.

                    

Today, Powerscourt has an elaborate garden...probably the best this side of Versailles. Also, the owners (Slazenger's....former owners of the Slazenger's sporting goods business...and probably the makers of most of the hiking clothing worn by the people over at the Monestary grounds where we were in the morning) have monetized nearly everything you see or touch around the estate.

          

Gardens....Japanese Gardens...Italian Gardens (by the way....the elaborate gardens were created in another era over a period of 12 years, employing 100 workers. Once they were finished "they realized how much it cost just to maintain the completed gardens." Duh.)

There is a Walled Garden. Dolphin Pond. (This was bought in Paris. I didn't realize one could "buy and ship" a pond.) One of the Viscounts passed away whilst on a statue-buying spree in Europe...(the way we all should go.) View the Pet Cemetary of the Viscounts pets. (No further comment needed as to why the era of the Vicounts passed into history.) There is a restaurant. Spa and Resort. Golf Course (I rest my case). And the waterfall a couple miles away...which was at one time a part of the estate is reachable by car and a hike and a fee. (They are still working on ways to monetize the air that we breathe.)

                            

If you want to...shop for fine Irish linen by Avoca Weavers from nearby Avoca, Ireland. I may jest about some of this...but it is truly impressive. The Slazenger family has preserved this cultural treasure for the general public to enjoy...and enjoy it we did.

One last salute to the Slazenger family enterprises.....you'll note that they even had a tribute to the Buckeyes by way of a Scarlet and Gray arrangement of flowers forming the letter "O".

                          

Wicklow County and mountains and its environs.

                         

                        So much to ponder. 

                        Peace,  Bob