Its sad that the rhododendrons in this picture are so small that you can't see them. The southwest of Ireland is an enchanting part of our Isle and is covered this time of year with huge rhododendron bushes - some as big as a house. Multi colored, they originated in the Himalayas, brought to Ireland by amateur botanists in the early 1900's. One book calls these beauties the "foreigners who never left" as they fight to take over from the native oak.
Margie and I spent last weekend in Killarney, and ventured, as pictured above, to Bantry House, overlooking Bantry Bay. A bitter sweet visit where we met Mr White the current owner of the family estate, held in place by strangers tramping through daily with the customers to his expensive BnB. We all enjoy the 15th, 16th and 17th century treasures outlined for us in a multi page explanation as we explored the house. A testimony to impermanence in the face of what I am sure was a life where people expected lives that sorted out as they had for centuries, nevertheless the world moved on and they scramble a bit to keep the legacy for their off spring.
Our adventures included a day to a herb farm, where we exchanged expat stories with a German woman and a day of bike riding through Muckross house, another of the English manors, this one owned by the state.
Margie and I look forward to many visits from the US this summer. Starting with my childhood friend Vickie in June and going through Jean and Carla coming in October, we will enjoy showing those we love the country we love.
All the best,
Alana
Margie and I spent last weekend in Killarney, and ventured, as pictured above, to Bantry House, overlooking Bantry Bay. A bitter sweet visit where we met Mr White the current owner of the family estate, held in place by strangers tramping through daily with the customers to his expensive BnB. We all enjoy the 15th, 16th and 17th century treasures outlined for us in a multi page explanation as we explored the house. A testimony to impermanence in the face of what I am sure was a life where people expected lives that sorted out as they had for centuries, nevertheless the world moved on and they scramble a bit to keep the legacy for their off spring.
Our adventures included a day to a herb farm, where we exchanged expat stories with a German woman and a day of bike riding through Muckross house, another of the English manors, this one owned by the state.
Margie and I look forward to many visits from the US this summer. Starting with my childhood friend Vickie in June and going through Jean and Carla coming in October, we will enjoy showing those we love the country we love.
All the best,
Alana
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