Carnforth

Today, Wednesday the 14th of Januray 2009, the 3x's a week mini-bus dropped us off in downtown Carnforth for a few hours of errand running. Katie, Hannah, and I made it through Tesco without too many distractions, then walked across the street to the Carnforth Library, this quaint littl building housing a one room library, but the amazing thing is, they have 6 computers, with FAST internet!! We decided that it would be worth it to sign up for a library card to utilize the internet :-) So, for the past 40 minutes, we have been sitting in the library, out of the cold and catching up with the rest of the world! I love the fact that today, when I have all the access I could need, I really didn't have anything TOO pressing that had to be taken care of on quicker internet...oh well, next trip! Love to you all.

TEMPE...

The Perkins Family's beloved labrador, Tempe, peacefully passed away on the 11th of January around 11 p.m. After his long battle with cancer, his tired body finally gave way. Mommy Perkins was with Tempe as he took his final breaths on his big fluffy bed in 'his' room downstairs. As emotional as I was to hear the news over the phone, I know that if he was in any pain, he is no longer suffering from it. His life blessed us with so many memories over the past decade and he will be missed very much. Our family was graced with his wonderful life from the puppy stage all the way through adulthood. For those of you who spent time with him, you know his silly ways and the craziness that would come out when he was around, and all the ways he could make us laugh. We loved him with all our hearts and I know I will have a hard time adjusting to him being gone when I return to the states. Tempe truly was joy and love :-)

Holiday House!

Arrival at Broadmea Barn was picturesque and was the perfect start to a perfect holiday break. Our home for the next few days is a converted barn that sleeps 12 people (we have 10) and has a ground floor with 4 bedrooms and 4 half levels, 3 of which look out over the amazing kitchen/dining room and one contains a 5th room. We have really been able to make ourselves quite at home here and I know that it is going to be extremely difficult to leave on Friday.
Today we took a long walk out in the countryside, picture scenes straight out of the film 'The Holiday' and that is exactly what it felt like. The fields are all covered in a very thin layer of snow and the snow continued to fall as we trudged along. Even though the moment you step outside you want to run back in, the walk warmed us up and made us feel as though we had accomplished alot more than we actually had!
I am so happy to be here, yet sad at the same time because I know that our Christmas holiday break has come to an end and we will have to settle back into a very strict routine on our return, which is always good, but always difficult to start up again. Hope everyone had a very happy new year!

Thawing out...

I have returned to my 2nd home in England after a wonderful few days in Ireland.  After leaving the internet cafe on Friday, I headed out and thought I would be adventurous and go on a long walk out along the water and out of Galway, I lasted about 5 minutes before the cold got to me, so I headed into the Galway city museum for a quick warm up and was pleasantly surprised with what the museum had to say about the city's history and everything it had been through, including a mini exhibit on JFK's visit there just about two months before he was assassinated I think.  After a mini break in the museum, I decided to try and venture out into the cold, and was actually successful in surviving for a bit before I had to turn back.  Once back in the safety of the city's buildings, I found myself wandering to St. Nicholas' Cathedral.  It was a really beautiful cathedral, with impressive stained glass window and a massive organ, which was being played while I was there!  

From the cathedral, I wandered over the University of Glasgow and tried to imagine myself studying there....not very likely!  I made it back into the city center and wandered down the main drag of Shop Street and did a bit of souvenir shopping and finally decided it was time to eat and warm up a bit.  I had a very late lunch and early dinner, at Galways famous fish&chippery, of cod, chips, and mushy peas!  It was absolutely delicious and exactly what I needed before the crazy cold could get to me again.  I did some more wandering and popped into shops here and there, and even wandered into their version of a, very small, shopping mall.  Actually made a purchase of a hat because of course I had left my plethora of hats behind when I really needed them.  

 Hung out in a coffee shop and wrote for a bit and listened to 'Galway Girl' on the radio!  At around 7 p.m. headed to a famous pub called Taaffe's and listened to traditional music for about an hour.  It was so cool to just sit and listen to a very informal group just playing and enjoying the friendly atmosphere!  With my last night in town almost over, I walked the drag once more and walked along the water to take it all in again.  Headed back to the B&B to pack and get an early night.

  Waking up early has never been a strong point, so I was quite proud of myself that I made it to my 7:15am train with plenty of time!!  Train back to Dublin, then 30 minutes in Dublin, DART to Dun Laoghaire and rushed across to board the ferry to Holyhead, Wales.  On my train ride back to Manchester was pleasantly accompanied by a young guy who chatted with me for our two hour ride to Chester where we parted ways to catch our connections, but had a blast creating that memory and was kept well entertained  :-)   

  It's hard to believe that I left 5 days ago and spent the week in another foreign country, but I had such an amazing time, that I'm not surprised that it flew by.  It's still cold here in England, but I just don't think AS cold as it was in Ireland!!   Love to you all

IRELAND!!!

So, just imagine snow fall weather, but with no snow...that is how freezing it is here in Ireland, but I have to admit, it's kind of what makes me love it even more. I feel completely out of my element and in a different world...kind of the whole point of travel! It's Friday and my last full day here, the week has just flown by. I started with a ferry ride from Holyhead, Wales over to Dublin, and spent two days in Dublin sightseeing and doing all sorts of fun touristy things!! I enjoyed my first pint of Guinness at the Gravity Bar on top of the factory tour and spent time in, i know i know, another art museum...but hey I love it! I was able to beat the cold by just wandering around and spending the majority of my time just walking and taking in as much of the city as I could! I took the DART train down to Dun Laoghaire and spent two glorious nights in a very posh hotel right on the waterfront, let me tell you, it's worth it to take a little break and enjoy yourself on holiday!! Spent most of my time wandering along the waterfront and through the little town.
Yesterday, thursday, hopped on a train here to Galway and zipped through some gorgeous country to the western coast of Ireland. I was able to get a room in a very cute and cozy B&B and then walked down the the main drag to grab some food. After a very delicious dinner in an Italian restaurant, walked around, phoned home, then had dessert of Creme Brulee in a french bistro!! Finally, I headed out to find some music in a pub. As apprehensive as I was, I was determined to enjoy myself. I found myself sitting alone in Monroe's Tavern/Pub drinking my half pint of Carlsberg, when a group of girls warmly invited me to join them! I was delighted to join their fun and was quickly one of the girls...chatting away, laughing, and enjoying the music in front of us!
I woke up this morning and had a delicious breakfast at the B&B then headed out into the cold, once again. I'll have to let you all know what today and tomorrow consist of later, but just wanted to give a quick update! I can't wait to come back to Ireland again someday...any travel buddies out there?!?!
p.s. i love you all...