The Final Episode!

As I was being driven home from the airport last night I was just composing my last post in my head - you know, the usual stuff..... flights were fine, bit long but I managed! Very quick changeover in Dubai, had to walk from one end of the airport to the other, and when I got there, they were up to the final call... Food was Ok on the plane.... blah, blah, blah......

The last journey - Dublin - Dubai - Perth

But Wattle's Wanderings were not going to go out on  a whimper.... I saved the best drama until I actually got home!!!

During my time away, my good friends, Shelley and John, had been looking after my place for me. Checking the mail, opening up on occasions, running the car etc... I am VERY grateful for all they did for me whilst I was away.

In the last few weeks before I returned, we had a few issues with my alarm system. It was having issues and wouldn't re-set etc.... S&J had rung the company and we were on the verge of getting it fixed, but we all decided it wasn't that long till I came home, so we would leave it until then.

So far so good.... they were able to reset it and it was working!

Now for the drama.....

Arrived home safely about 1.15am on Thursday morning - or in the still of the night as they say! But it wasn't still for long after I got in, because I couldn't de-activate the alarm and I set it off.... and it was soooooooooo loud!!!! And it just kept going and going.... I kept trying to push in my code but I think the keypad is stuffed and the buttons weren't beeping as I pushed them, as they usually do.

After what seemed ages, I retreated to my bedroom and luckily I took all my cases and stuff in with me, because when I went out to try again to turn it off, I set it off again, because I was moving within the range of the sensors!!!

So I ran back to my bedroom (where there are no sensors!) and realised I would just have to stay in there for the night.... (Luckily I have an ensuite!!!)

Trouble was - I think I left the front door open and unlocked and if I went out there again, I would set it all off again!!! So I decided to just lock myself in my bedroom and pray to God and hope for the best!!!

But there's more.... ( set of steak knives!!)

About 3.30am I heard someone knocking on the window and a male voice said "Are you alright in there??"

I opened the bedroom door and yelled back, "Who are you??? If I come out I'll start the alarm off again"  And the voice came back "As long as you're alright - I saw the blue light flashing and all the lights and thought I'd just check."... so I said thanks etc..  I still don't know who the voice was!!! But somebody was very kind to get up at 3.30am on the strength of an alarm and a flashing blue light and a bit of concern for a neighbour!

I also rang the security place, but because my alarm was not monitored, they couldn't do much. They advised turning the power off at the  switch for the alarm, then I had to go into the little box in the linen press and actually take out the battery...  To do all this meant setting it all off again, so I decided to just wait it out until morning and bunkered myself in my bedroom!

I had set my clock alarm for 9am this morning so that I could ring the actual company (not the night service place who couldn't help) and make an appointment for today to get the keypad fixed. I was telling the lady my predicament and she said they probably couldn't get anyone out today.... so I told here how I was holed up in the bedroom and couldn't get out, so she was going to try and someone here. As of 12 noon I haven't heard!

But my heroes S&J came and helped me yet again...After I rang  security, I rang them and they came straight over, and Shelley was able to put the code in and it's all off now. Thank you Jesus!

In the middle of all these calls, I had another call from a childhood friend in Melbourne to say his Dad had died last week. I didn't have my OZ sim card in my phone until last night, so I didn't get his message. His Dad and my Dad were best mates and played golf together each week.

It  was all happening!!!

So..... Wattle's Wanderings certainly didn't go out with a whimper! I was more like a whoooosh!!!!

But I am home safely, and even though I saved the biggest drama until last, I'm very grateful for being safe and well while I was away (apart from a cold, which was ultimately manageable!). It has just been the best holiday and so many of you helped me out along the way! To all my family and friends in the UK and Ireland - thanks! I loved meeting up with you and meeting some new members too!
Thanks to all those who shared their hospitality with me too....  I have been so blessed on my journey and it's the people who have really made the difference!

And a special thanks to all the people who held the fort for me at home in various ways, and all those who have supported me with emails and messages and comments. When you're traveling alone, that makes all the difference, and really make me feel connected with people and not alone so much.

It's been a hoot and now I have a great record of it all....  even though it was a bit of a pain sometimes to commit to the blog, I'm really glad now!

So, this is the official end of Wattle's Wanderings to the UK and Ireland and Europe 2018.  Aussie breakfasts just won't be the same again. Maybe I should start a new blog and call it Moira's Musings!!!  (only joking!!!)

Thanks again everyone for your support and love!

Drogheda - Balbriggan - Dublin Airport

Ok, so there's one last post left!

Woke up late again this morning, which is probably good as I'm not sure how much sleep I'll get on the plane!

Check out was at 12 noon and I think I made it by 5 minutes!!!
After breakfast, I took everything out of every case and bag and started again..... Had to fit it all in, but I think I managed!!!

So, it's 12 noon and I'm flying out at 10.25pm - so what's a person to do???

I had the car still until 9.30pm (if necessary) so I thought I would do one last spin!

The one place I haven't visited this time and once again, it's a family place, is Balbriggan. My Grandfather was born there - the one who is married to Florence Nolan - daughter of TB Hunt who I pursued in Leicester and other places! They were married in Leicester and we have a reasonable amount of information about them as a couple but very little about my Grandfather - William Andrew Nolan. We know he came from Balbriggan and he was born on March 8 1879 and his parents were John Nolan and Jane Reddan.

Balbriggan is not too far north of Dublin and is also close to the airport, so I thought I would give it a whirl!

When I was nearly there I saw the signpost to Drogheda, and made a quick decision to go there first.
Just to confuse little GMaps for one last time!

It was a delightful drive and for one last time I chose the road less travelled! his time I didn't mind that we wended our way through country lanes, shaded by overhanging trees and bushes. I think I've come to love those little side tracks, after using them so often on the journey!

So here's today's map

Today's journey

So, why did I decide to go to Drogheda....????  Because of Ollie's head!

St Oliver Plunkett's head is proudly encased in a gold shrine in St Peter's Church at Drogheda and I had been there a few times... the last time with Mary and Nicky.

Very early in my teaching career I had 2 months teaching time at Blessed Oliver Plunkett's Primary School in Pascoe Vale in Melbourne.  Eighteen months later, I was actually appointed to the same school, but it was now St Oliver's! Went from BOP's to SOP's!!!

Great story about our Ollie.

Here's a short synposis of his life... from http://www.saintoliverplunkett.com/
Saint Oliver Plunkett (1st November 1625 - 1st July 1681) was the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland. He maintained his duties in Ireland in the face of English persecution and was eventually arrested and tried for treason in London. He was hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn on 1 July 1681, and became the last Roman Catholic martyr to die in England. Oliver Plunkett was beatified in 1920 and canonised in 1975, the first new Irish saint for almost seven hundred years.

 One of his claims to fame was trying to tackle drunkenness among the Irish Clergy.  He said ....

"Let us remove this defect from an Irish priest, and he will be a saint". !!!!


Here's a few pics from the Church ..

Shrine encasing Ollie's head

Ollie's head

Here's a bit about his life from the Church...

Ollie's life as a priest and Bishop

Ollie's life as an educator and Martyr

Door from Newgate prison of the cell which housed Ollie.

Description of the door

View inside the Church

View outside the Church

Drogheda (Don't pronounce the "g") is a lovely little town...

Here's a few more pics..

Drogheda town

St Laurence's Gate

Explanation of St Laurence's Gate

Drogheda town

After a while it was time to move on, and Balbriggan was next on the list.

Last time I went to Balbriggan I approached it from the south and I thought it looked very dreary and depressed. This time I approached it from the North, and was amazed at how alive and attractive it looked. Just shows what perception does.....

Balbriggan town

Balbriggan town

Balbriggan town

Balbriggan town

I went for a wander and ended up near the library. I remember my cousin John Nolan had gone in there to inquire about our heritage some years ago, so I thought on the strength of that I'd give it a whirl also. The man behind the desk, Colm, was a passionate amateur genealogist, and his eyes lit up when I explained my quest of looking for information about my Grandfather. He had quite a few data bases, but couldn't get into them all, but took my email address and promised to pass on any information he did happen to find. I shared with him any details I knew and we did have one little win. He found his Baptism certificate and found that he lived in Skerries Road, which is where the library was based. So I made sure I drove down that road on the way out!

Skerries Road Balbriggan

Balbriggan Library

By this time it was 4 pm and I was keeping my eye on the clock. As I had to go down Skerries Road anyway, I ended up in Skerries - a lovely little beach-side suburb with a small harbour and Marina.

Skerries Harbour

Skerries Harbour

I decided I probably need to have some dinner, as I was not sure what was available at the airport, so they brought me this lovely plain grilled chicken breast and steamed vegies! Just perfect!!!!

After that I had  a quick wander around the beach area and came across a lovely memorial for deceased sailors

Memorial for those lost at sea

Memorial for those lost at sea

And took a few pics of the coast line - last look at the Irish Sea!

Coastal views near Skerries

Coastal views near Skerries

Coastal views near Skerries

I wanted to allow myself plenty of time to get my car back and check I had everything etc.... Nothing worse than rushing at the end. And, as it turned out, the airline desks weren't even open for another 15 mins when I arrived, so I certainly had plenty of time.

So here am I sitting in the lounge at Dublin airport, typing up my last post on the road. As mentioned in yesterday's post, I only have one hour between flights in Dubai, so I think I'll be running from one terminal to the other....

Say a prayer for me on the flight home, as I will for all of you. Thanks for sharing the journey with me. It's been good to know there are people out there who are following along and interested in the adventures of Wattle's Wanderings!!!

So, as they say in Ireland - May your God go with you!

Bealtaine do Dhia dul in éineacht leat

Dublin and Ballyfermot

Had a nice sleep-in this morning, as there was no need to rush and get up and get on the road

I'm staying at the Sheldon Park Hotel and as I mentioned in yesterday's post I got here quite easily - eventually.  I flirted with the idea of getting one more load of washing done and the girl at reception suggested there was a laundromat just up the road in Ballyfermot. I pricked up my ears immediately, as I have often heard of Ballyfermot as the birthplace of Bernadette's husband Tony, who sadly died 18 months ago. So I had to go and have a look!

I stopped and parked and a lovely old gentleman said good morning so we had a little conversation. He sounded just like Tony! The people over here are so friendly.

Streets  of Ballyfermot

Streets  of Ballyfermot

Shops  of Ballyfermot

Of course, I had to stop for a coffee ....

Coffee in Ballyfermot

Then I wandered up to the Church for a look - The Church of Our Lady's Assumption

The Church of Our Lady's Assumption

Inside The Church of Our Lady's Assumption

And of course I had to light a candle there... and there was an altar before St Anthony, so I lit a special candle for Tony and all the Palmers.

Candle for all the Palmer family

Prayer to St Anthony

I loved the side altars in this Church too...

Altar to the Holy Family

Pius X and St Patrick

Then on the way back I stopped at Landen Road where Tony grew up, and then drove down Landen road, which is apparently the longest road in Ballyfermot

Landen Rd

Landen Rd corner

So, after that big adventure, I came back to my hotel to await the visit of Mary and Nicky and Paddy who were coming to my hotel for lunch. As explained previously Mary and Paddy are sister and brother of my friend Bernadette and Nicky is married to Mary.

It was lovely to see them again. It's been four years since I was last here and lots of things have changed in the meantime. So it was good to share a meal and catch up on what's been happening since.

Nicky Mary and me

Nicky Paddy and Moira

The meal was lovely and it was good to just spend time together.

So ends my last full day in Dublin! I don't have to check out tomorrow until 12 noon, then I have a few hours to fill in until I head for the airport. At least I don't' have to return the car until tea time, so I can drive around for a little while and perhaps fit in one more bout of sight seeing!!!

Then I fly out at 10.25pm Dublin time. I only have a one hour stop over in Dubai, so it will be a bit of a rush to find my new plane and get on board. I arrive in Perth at 12.30am on Friday morning... all things being equal!

I might get one more post in tomorrow night while I'm waiting for my plane to leave.  Let's see what tomorrow holds!!!

Gorey - Avoca - Glendalough - Dublin

There was a certain sense of sadness in me this morning as I realised that this would be my last day with a significant road trip. Tonight and tomorrow night I am in Dublin, and I fly out on Wed night, so I won't be going far by car in the next few days....

It's been a remarkable journey and I have traversed a million miles across such different landscapes, but I suppose all good things have to come to an end. It's been one hell of a journey and I feel very lucky to have come so far....

Anyway, back to today as we still have journeys to describe!

Today started with another coffee with Paddy at the Book Cafe in Gorey.

Paddy at the Book Cafe

It's been lovely to sit and chat with someone who knows where you're from and can chat about people we both know. Tomorrow I will be meeting up with him again in Dublin and also his sister Mary and her husband Nicky. You may remember I was going to visit them when I first arrived in Dublin, but I was laid low with my cold....

So after a lovely cuppa I set off for the day.

My first stop was this town.... you may have to cast your minds back a bit to recognise these landmarks from a popular TV series...???

Mystery destination..???

This one's a give away...!

They were taken in the fictional town of Ballykissangel , which was largely shot in the town of Avoca in Wicklow. It was my Mum's favourite show, so I always think of her when I go there....
I lit a candle as I usually do....

Inside the Church

Plaque outside the Church recognizes the district's mining origins.

The bridge often featured in the series...

Bridge over the Avoca River

View from the Bridge

View from the Bridge

And you may recognize the main street of Ballykiss...

Main Street of Avoca (Ballykissangel)

After all that nostalgia I moved on about another 3 kms to another place that reminded me of Mum again...
The meeting of the waters....
Mum knew a song about this that she learned at Primary School and the first time that I went there and returned home she sang it for me...

Here's the actual meeting of the rivers...

Meeting of the Waters

Meeting of the Waters

Here's a youtube clip by Paddy Reilly in case you would like to listen!

Info on the Vale of Avoca

View of the river

View of the river

After all that excitement, I moved on a little further to Glendalough - a place that I have enjoyed visiting previously. Had some lunch and a coffee in the pub then I went down to the monastery ruins...

Here's some info about Glendalough and St Kevin, whose stories are inter-twined...

Glendalough is home to one of the most important monastic sites in Ireland. This early Christian monastic settlement was founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century and from this developed the “Monastic City”. Most of the buildings that survive today date from the 10th through 12th centuries. Despite attacks by Vikings over the years, Glendalough thrived as one of Ireland’s great ecclesiastical foundations and schools of learning until the Normans destroyed the monastery in 1214 A.D. and the dioceses of Glendalough and Dublin were united. 
 From the VisitWicklow site

 More info from Wikipedia:
Kevin, a descendant of one of the ruling families in Leinster, studied as a boy under the care of three holy men, Eoghan, Lochan, and Eanna. During this time, he went to Glendalough. He was to return later, with a small group of monks to found a monastery where the 'two rivers form a confluence'. Kevin's writings discuss his fighting "knights" at Glendalough; scholars today believe this refers to his process of self-examination and his personal temptations.^[1] His fame as a holy man spread and he attracted numerous followers. He died in about 618, traditionally on 3 June. For six centuries afterwards, Glendalough flourished and the Irish Annals contain references to the deaths of abbots and raids on the settlement.^[2]
Around 1042, oak timber from Glendalough was used to build the second longest (30 m) Viking longship ever recorded. A modern replica of that ship was built in 2004 and is currently located in Roskilde, Denmark.^[3]

There were heaps of tourists there, swarming over the ruins... I think a couple of buses may have just come in... it really put me off a bit. To me, it's a bit of a sacred site, and they were just very noisy and I think a bit disrespectful... Maybe it's me just being sensitive again, but it really put me off.... I was going to go for a walk down to the lake, but there was a couple of big bunches just in front of me and they were really noisy and it just didn't feel right.

Anyway here's some pics of the ruins...

Glendalough monastic ruins

Glendalough monastic ruins

Glendalough monastic ruins

Info about the Cathedral

Glendalough monastic ruins

The drive into both Avoca and Glendalough was very different from other parts of Ireland. County Wicklow is often called the Garden of Ireland, with good reason. There are beautiful green trees just lining the road and overhanging it. It reminds me of parts of the Dandenongs in Melbourne where there are just trees and ferns all around... I took some pics at Glendalough to show what it's like... once again, as always, it can't really capture it, but gives you an idea.

Glendalough

Glendalough

Glendalough

After all the noise and commotion, I spotted a place advertised as a quiet house, so I went in there and I think it was a Catholic Chapel.... There was a lovely painting of Jesus in front of the lakes at Glendalough and I thought it was lovely...  but I am a simple soul... :)

Jesus at Glendalough

The lady there was a bit full on and was trying to pump me about my own faith etc... I wasn't having any of that though!!!

BTW Perth people please note it's pronounced Glenda-lock over here!!!

Time to move on again...

My Gmaps gave up the ghost in both Avoca and Glendalough... I think the valleys were too deep for it, so I turned back to Gaby Garmin and set her for Dublin. I wanted to go through the Wicklow Gap and over the Wicklow Mountains - she had other plans.... even on the last day of driving we still had different ideas!!!  Anyway, I saw the signpost for the Wicklow Gap, so I was off and she had to catch up!

Beautiful drive..

Wicklow mountains

Wicklow mountains

Wicklow mountains

Wicklow mountains

Wicklow mountains

Once again I had taken the road less travelled - that has become a theme for me on this journey!

Wicklow mountains

The road less travelled

The road less travelled

So, I set Gaby Garmin for Dublin and she brought me close to my hotel... but not quite!!! I had to get little GMaps to actually get me  to the exact place on the road.

And here I am in Dublin for the last 2 nights of my extra long holiday. It will be a strange feeling when I eventually arrive home and don't have to live out a of a suitcase, or worry about washing, or wonder where I will be staying on the next night.....

But it's been a real hoot and I've loved every minute of it, even the moderately stressful times, because they always produce the best stories.

Two more days to go.... let's see if I can eke out just a few more things to share from the road. 😄