Home safely

Home safely

No pics or frills tonight, just a message from my home in Perth that I'm home safely.

The flights were both good and I managed to get a little sleep on the Dubai-Perth leg, but I'm looking forward to being in my own bed tonight.

First thing I did was a load of washing! I will get stuck into the case tomorrow, but I also changed my clothes when I got home... just to put something different on!

Thanks to all those who have sent emails expressing their appreciation of the blog. I have to admit I have enjoyed doing it. And now I have a lovely record that I can look back on with fondness as I recall my adventures.

So, this is definitely it!

As they sing in the Sound of Music... 

So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, adieu
To you and you and you and you and you...

Last day in Dublin

Last day in Dublin


This will be short and sweet tonight because I did very little today.

Mary Nicky Moira

Had a sleep-in and got up late, then returned my rental car as I already have a ride booked to the airport tomorrow. Paddy came up from Gorey to meet me at the airport and bring me back to Mary and Nicky's house.  Had a few last minute little hassles with my lovely Gaby Garmin. She wanted to take me through the city again, but I was on to her this time and as I had a vague general idea of how to get to the motorway to go to the airport I just kept going in that direction. So after ignoring all her commands for about 5 minutes she kicked in with a new route that took me via  the motorway straight out to the airport.

No problems with the check-in of the car and I said "Goodbye" to little Susie Suzuki who had taken me to some challenging places - up some very big hills and mountains and around many windey roads on this journey.

Then we had a lovely dinner together- Mary, Nicky, Paddy and I.

Mary Nicky Paddy

I love the Irish food. Today we had  Boiled Bacon with proper veggies. Yum!

Then we just sat around and had lovely conversation.

Mary out the front of her house

After Paddy left,  I had to attack the suitcase! That was a major task to be accomplished - but it all fits in.

Tonight, we are off to 7pm Mass at St Bernadette's and that's the end of a quiet, pleasant day where I could just chill out and gird my loins for the journey ahead. This time tomorrow night I will be on the plane, well on the way to Dubai.

It's  been a fabulous time, but I guess that all good things must come to an end. I am so grateful that so  many things have just gone "right" on this trip and I have been blessed in so many ways.

Thanks for coming on the journey with me and especially for the emails you sent to me along the way. I never felt lonely once and I'm sure that was due to the constant contact I had with my family and friends along the way.

So, may your God go with you on all the journeys that lie ahead of each one of you.

Dia dul in éineacht leat

Baggot St Dublin

Baggot St Dublin

Mercy International at Baggot St Dublin

Statues outside Baggot St

Well today I completed the circuit of the  foundresses of religious orders.

I had already visited Angers in France where Rose Pelletier found the Good Shepherd Sisters, and I had been to Fort  Williamin Scotland, which was  the hometown of Mary MacKillop's parents.

Then today I visited Baggot St in Dublin which is where Catherine McAuley founded the Sisters of Mercy. I have to admit, my heart still holds a big chunk of space called "Mercy" so it was a bit like a homecoming for me. They even gave me a printout of my details of the time I spent in the Sisters of Mercy.

I had to get up early and catch the Number 18 bus to get there by 10am, but I managed that easily.Time for a quick coffee even before I arriveed at the Mercy International Centre.

I had already emailed Sylvia Williams who is a  Sister of Mercy from Melbourne who is currently working there, and she recommended the guided tour at 10am, so that was what I was heading for.

A lovely Irish sister called Sr Carita, who had spent 40 years at the Mater Hospital, was our guide and she did a splendid job. She reminded me very much of Marquita, who many of my Melbourne Mercy friends will remember from Ascot Vale days.

 I was joined on the tour by three other Aussies who had a connection to All Hallows in Brisbane,  and we started with a film about Catherine's life called Circle of Mercy,

Then we did a tour of the house and saw significant rooms, accompanied by the stories of Catherine and her companions

This  was Catherine's bedroom and also the room where she died. The floor boards are the original ones from the 1800s..

Predieu in Catherine's bedroom

Fireplace in Catherine's bedroom

Desk in Catherine's bedroom

Catherine's bedroom

We then went the "Bishop's Parlour" where much of the furniture was from the originaal building

Bishop's Parlour

Our next stop was the Chapel...

Baggot St Chapel

Jewels that were brought as dowry adorn the tabernacle

Painting of Our Lady of Mercy

Looking towards the organ in the Baggot St Chapel

Our final stop on the tour was to go outside to see Catherine's grave.

View of Catherine's grave

Where Catherine was buried

Another view of Catherine's grave. Note the Catherine McAuley roses in the forground.

At the end of the tour we were all given a "comfortable cup of tea" (or coffee) and some scones.

And of course there was always the ineveitable shop in case we would like some momentos  of our visit!

So it was a lovely morning and provided many reminders of the faith and charism of Catherine McAuley. A trip to Dublin would not be complete without a compulsory stop at Baggot St.

In the afternoon I had arranged to take Mary to her local shopping centre - Tallaght Square, where she had a few little jobs to do.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas... with Mary at Tallaght Square

Mary at Tallaght Square

Tonight we are going to a memorial Mass for a teacher who taught John (Mary and Nicky's son).

Then tomorrow I take the car back, and that's the end of the penny section.

Wattle's Wanderings are hurtling towards a conclusion.

But there's still one more day! Making the most of every moment.

Courtown, Avoca and Glendalough

Courtown, Avoca and Glendalough

At Courtown

Don't let those blue skies fool you  again... it was freezing this morning.... the cars were iced up and all. But have to admit the sunshine and cold is better than the rain.

There was a power blackout in Gorey overnight and the hotel lost its internet connection.
eeeekkkk...

So  Paddy came to my rescue and took me down to Joannes cafe for a coffee and a fix of wifi!

Then we went out to Courtown, which is about 10 mins out of Gorey and on the coast. It is a lovely place. Once again I have heaps of photos - double the usual amount because Paddy is a happy snapper too!

Courtown

Paddy at Courtown

Courtown

The wave got me!!!

Courtown

Paddy at Courtown

It was lovely spending some time with Paddy. Most of the time I am happy to be a solo traveller, but it is nice to connect with people along the journey and have some  decent conversation.

Actually it's amazing how many people have asked me "Are you travelling on your own?" And they look kind of astonished as they ask... I must  admit I don't  even think about it, but maybe it seems unusual to some people???

So, I said a fond farewell to Paddy and continued on my merry journey.

OK... here's another one of those "Can you guess where I am?" moments. These pics are clues, then I'll tell you underneath...

It was my Mum's favourite program and you daren't ring whilst it  was on! 

Ballykissangel was filmed in the  town of Avoca. Even though it hasn't been on our screens for a while, you can still see the repeats if you search hard enough. I have to admit, I watched each episode too, so I always have a  pilgrimage to Avoca when I'm here. Went into the Church and lit a candle and prayed for my Mum and Dad there too.

There's also another place quite nearby called "The meeting of the waters" and it also reminds me of my Mum because I think she used to sing the song that was composed there.. It's a lovely place where two rivers meet...

Meeting of the  Waters Avoca

Meeting of the  Waters Avoca

Avoca was freezing... I parked my car a little way down the street and walked to the Church and the cold nearly burnt my face off! It was like the cold surrounded me and got  into my bones. Nice for a change, but not sure that I would like to have cold like this every day!

The next place on my  journey is one of the most beautiful in Ireland... Glendalough.

Glendalough

It is a place of both historical significance and of natural beauty. There are the  remains of a monastery founded by St Kevin in the 6th Century but there are also these beautiful lakes in the valley between the most majestic mountains. And today there was just a hint of mist (and cold!) that gave the place an almost mystical feel (get the pun!)

Glendalough

Glendalough

Glendalough

Glendalough

I went for a walk around the first lake (3 km -aren't you proud of me, you doubters!) And it was just beautiful. I walked through the forest and you could hear the stillness...

Glendalough

Glendalough

Glendalough

It was just another moment on this trip where you could feel the presence of God.

So, I hopped back into the car for the last leg of my round trip around Ireland. I was very conscious of that as I was driving into Dublin. Gaby Garmin did me proud again and brought me safely back to the home of Mary and Nicky.

I can't believe in one way that I have completed the circuit. Yet, as I was driving along the freeway into Dublin, there were the signs to Belfast and Cork and Derry and I kept thinking that I would love to start again... I am really grateful for the holiday I have had  and I guess it's a good sign that I'm not busting to get home, that I would happily go on if I could.

Yet I have so many magnificent experiences that will live with me forever and I feel so lucky to have had this opportunity.

Tomorrow I hope to go to Baggot St - the place where the Sisters of Mercy were founded. That will be a nice way to just round off my Irish experience.

Two more days in Ireland... hopefully I won't waste a minute  of either of them!

Kinsale to Gorey in Wexford

Kinsale to Gorey in Wexford

With Paddy in Gorey

The day started off beautifully, although a little chilly, with sunshine in Kinsale.

The morning light was just as impressive as the evening light in Kinsale...

Kinsale in the morning

Kinsale in the morning

Kinsale in the morning

The plan today was to go to Gorey in Wexford and meet up with Paddy, brother of my friend Bernadette.
The drive was a little longer than I expected, coming in at about 3 and a half  hours, but I had all day, so it was all good.

I set Gaby Garmin for Cobh (pronounced Cove) first  of all, the last port of call of the Titanic. I had a brochure that pointed me in the direction of the Cobh Heritage Centre which looked at both the multiple migrations from Ireland and also the voyage of the Titanic.

Now I know Gaby Garmin is a very clever little Vegemite, but as we were approaching Cobh, she kept saying to turn right over the river in a few hundred metres... Now I could see there was no bridge, so I was a little worried, but when she eventually commanded me to  turn right, here I was at the ferry terminal and she told me to take the ferry across the river. Absolutely perfect! (although it cost 5 euros for a 10 minute voyage!)

My ferry on the way over

View of the crossing

Half way over

So  after a little meandering though Cobh, I eventually asked someone for directions and found my  way to the Cobh Heritage Centre. First thing to solve was what name was given to this place..???

Names of Cobh

The Cobh Heritage Centre was situated in the original Railway Station of Cobh..

Cobh Heritage Centre

Outside was the port of Cobh and the Statue of Annie Moore - the first official immigrant to Ellis Island in New York..

Cobh Port

Cobh Port

Cobh Port

Statue of Annie Moore

The Heritage Centre focused on the voyages of the immigrants and the various discomforts they suffered..

Models of the immigration story

Models of the immigration story

Models of the immigration story

Models of the immigration story

Models of the immigration story

Models of the immigration story

The display then moved on the story of the Titanic which sailed from Cobh as its last port of call...

Titanic Story

Titanic Story

Titanic Story

It was all very interesting, but once again I was conscious of time constraints, as I had a reasonable drive ahead of me, so would love to have spent more time there, but it was not to be.

The rest of the day was virtually spent driving... Gaby Garmin was once again my second best friend as she led me exactly to the town of Gorey in Wexford.

Once I had booked in to my hotel  - the Ashdown Park Hotel - I texted Paddy and he came and collected me for a coffee at  the Book Cafe.. (see pic at top of the post!)

Then we went to dinner at Katie Daly's - a good Irish pub - and had a lovely dinner followed by an Irish coffee for me!

Dinner at Katie Daly's

Then home for me, so that I can write this blog....

As I was driving through the Irish countryside I was conscious that this might be my last exposure to the green fields and the country roads of Ireland as tomorrow may well be a motorway, then I'm in Dublin for a few days before I go home.

What a wonderful experience Ireland has been for me. I have so enjoyed the green fields and the majestic grandeur of the mountains and of course the beauty of the Irish  coastline.

Once again I am savouring every moment and commiting it to my memory so that it will stay a part of my being even when I return home.