London & Ireland Summer Adventure | Family Documentary Travel
Are you that type of person who doesn't plan anything? Then all of a sudden you get an itch to DO something? Ya, that's me. My husband, Nate, and I decided we would meet up with friends in London and then travel to Ireland. The last time I visited both countries was 21 years ago! After that much time, nothing looks familiar.
We took in a show, ate some amazing Indian and Peruvian foods, walked and walked and walked, visited Buckingham Palace and The Tower of London (with a small group private tour-so many insights that you wouldn't otherwise gather on your own), a cathedral where we overlooked the immensity of the city, both old and modern. Thrift shopping was a throwback to the 70s and 80s, with lots of mostly fake fur! Oh, and sitting being bored. That happened a lot.
After our fond farewells to friends, we boarded a plane to Cork, Ireland. We rented a car and thankfully, from the urging of the rental company, got full insurance. If you drive in Ireland, do it. You'll thank me later. The roads...dear God, the roads. Country lanes, more like it, with shrubbery pruned back so as to not entirely puncture your car as you are run off the road by oncoming traffic. I have never felt so terrified being in the passenger seat!
From Cork, we arrived in a fishing town named Dingle. It was absolutely adorable with brightly colored buildings, pubs, and tons of artisan shops. We drove the Dingle Peninsula, petting and feeding sheep and goats, exploring ruins from 1000 A.D., and embracing the wild Atlantic. We ate at local pubs, shopped at a tiny ceramics store and then ventured back to our B&B for a pint of Guinness while the kids watched the iPad. Yay for adult time!
We ended up spending a fair amount of time in the car, but it was beautiful as we traveled north to Doolin. This town is near the Cliffs of Moher, which we hiked for 4.5 miles, traversing mud and treacherous drop-offs. Then it started raining: we were soaked by the end, but it was worth it.
A 3.5 hour train ride to Dublin was next on our travel plans. We saw some rad street art, heard true Irish folksongs, ate at the oldest pub in Temple Bar, and watched kids playing football in the streets. Drunken revelry was high on Sunday when we arrived after Limerick played Cork in a hurling competition (which we sadly missed). We all got a kick out of the fans wearing their teams colors and talking smack.
I know I showed more than my sanctioned 5 images for this months post, but sometimes you gotta break the damn rules! But, please use your fingers to click on over to Kelly Tuohey, an awesome family photographer, to read about the last and best days of summer!