Short Dispatch from Lawcus Farm Guest House

 

I have no idea where to start in describing our experiences yesterday, Sept. 29, 2024. 

It was definitely a day of the best and worsts of times.

We were upbeat in the morning, knowing that we had arrived at Lisbon Airport early enough to stand near the front of the line at check-in. 

All went well there once the Aer Lingus staff arrived. 

From check-in, we moved on to a fairly fast-flowing but packed TSA line. 

Then, thanks to advice from Annie's friend Christy, we moved on to customs.  Again, all went well.

Once we reached our gate, I couldn't believe that I stood first in the general boarding line.  When first class had gone through, the agent checked my passport and boarding pass and motioned me around a corner. 

And, that's where the excitement began.  Instead of going to a plane, we boarded a bus with very few seats and a lot of straps to grab and hold on to while standing. 

I moved to a corner of the bus with railings, while Bill and Annie opted for the straps.

Apparently, our bus would take us to the airplane. 

It didn't.  It sat there for 45 minutes packed with people, as the sun beat many of us relentlessly through the windows. 

About 40 minutes into this grueling experience, an agent came with an apology. 

The plane coming from Dublin to Lisbon, which we would eventually board, had an onboard emergency. 

Someone had spilled hot coffee on a 3-year-old, which first required medics, followed by an ambulance and also customs officials. 

This after-effects of this unfortunate mishap all took time, and, after the agent's report, he said we may be waiting another five minutes.  It turned out to be more like 10.  

Eventually, we arrived at the plane, where we sat for another hour as busloads boarded and another glitch had occurred.  There was a mix-up with someone's bag, and it had to be resolved. 

Our eventual arrival in Dublin ended up about two hours late, which meant that Annie had missed her flight to Seattle. 

After some dark and disappointing moments where we could see that the weather outside matched the mood, Annie retrieved her bag and learned that the airlines would put her and others up in a hotel near Dublin.  She also received vouchers for dinner and breakfast. 

To say she was disappointed that she would have to wait another day before arriving home after a six-week absence would be an understatement, especially because she has to fly out of Seattle on Wednesday for a work trip to Georgia. 

Later, when she sent photos of her room and a sumptuous meal with a Guinness, we felt better about her situation.  Not ideal, but the airline came through sooner rather than later. 

Our next challenge was to try to make a dinner reservation in Stoneyford, which is about 90 minutes from Dublin.  We knew we would be late so we let both the restaurant and Mark and Ann-Marie here at Lawcus Farm Guesthouse know. 

We also had to make a quick run to Kildare and Silken Thomas to pick up a suitcase we had left on purpose last week. 

It was truly nip and tuck, down to the final seconds, as the restaurant stopped serving customers at 8.  I think when I walked into the restaurant while Bill parked the car, it may have been 7:59.  

But that didn't matter.  A young server with a big smile on her face welcomed me and then told me they had our table ready.  

I turned toward where she had pointed AND there sat Willie and Debbie! 

Ultimate surprise, to say the least.  They had planned this a couple of weeks ago---to stay at Lawcus Farm and to surprise the heck out of us. 

Instead of a day later, they had arrived in Dublin long before we did yesterday, had rented their car and moved on to Stoneyford.

Annie knew the plan and was extremely disappointed again that the late plane had not allowed for her to see Willie and Debbie. 

And, so here we are.  It's early morning at Lawcus Farm, and I hope to go out and snap a few photos to go along with this post.

All did not work as we had expected yesterday, but we are thrilled with our surprise and grateful that the airline made a bad situation a little better for Annie. 

We'll move on from Stoneyford to Kenmare today and will spend two nights in one of our most favorite Irish towns.  Willie has lined us some interviews from Irish basketball folks for his podcast, so he'll be spending some time working with his basketball passion. 

Soon, we'll go to have what's always an unbelievable breakfast prepared by Anne-Marie and Mark, and we'll have fun getting to know the other guests.  

The Ireland adventure (No. 10 for me and No. 9 for Bill) has begun. 

Happy Monday. 

Lisbon, Et. Al.

 

Annie told us Lisbon would remind us of San Francisco.

She got that one right. 

Hills, trolleys, other quaint vehicles to carry people around, sidewalk surprises and whole lot of funk and people flowing every which direction.  

Ya gotta watch your step on the sidewalks and pay attention at all times with all the street and sidewalk activity.

We even saw the beginnings of a street protest which was kept in tow by policemen dressed in riot gear, ready to act if necessary. 

The protest never made the square where we enjoyed our dinner last night, so the police had a lot of time on their hands to hurry up and wait. 

We saw a small portion of the city as we walked those hills and listened to street musicians and even spent a few Euros on souvenirs and tasty tarts. 

Our day began in Peniche and proceeded south toward Lisbon where we stopped to view oceanside attractions a couple of times. 

When we arrived at the Westernmost tip of Continental Europe, we encountered hoards of people and an unscrupulous faux parking attendant. 

I guess there are opportunities for one to make a Euro or two if you just put on a florescent vest and act like you work there. 

Annie had suspicions as he directed us into our spot and then took two Euros.  Within a few feet after leaving the car, the "free parking" notice on the pavement, confirmed Annie's skepticism.

When we came back to the car later, Bill told a few drivers that the parking was free and not to pay two Euros.  In the meantime, Annie and I quickly convinced the fake attendant to give our money back. 

He did so and found some other spot to fool the visitors. 

We also found another "pay before you go" WC turist trap.  This one was highly regulated with a machine for the money and a gruff-looking attendant letting so many people into the toilet headquarters at a time.

I stood with a group of women speaking a language I probably had never heard:  Slovenian.  

When it came time to go to one of two available stalls, one lady warned the others to take in a paper town, lest the stall toilet paper might be used up. 

All took her word, while I showed them the wad of TP I keep in my pocket thanks to Annie's advance warning that TP may not be available everywhere. 

My display elicited a quick change in language.  They all spoke English and we exchanged a few pleasantries before taking our available stalls and getting the heck out of there for the next group. 

We enjoyed another great day in Portugal yesterday and all felt a tinge of regret that it would be our last unless we find a way to return. 

This morning we head to the airport where all three of us will fly to Dublin and say our good byes as Annie heads back to Seattle.  

She's given us six days of wonderful travel, always taking Mom's suitcase wherever it needs to go, and that has includes several blocks of street walking in some places. 

We are so appreciative of this time spent with our daughter who has traveled the world and who knows the turf pretty much everywhere she goes. 

Thanks, Annie.  We love you. 

Later this evening West Coast time, Willie and Debbie will board an Aer Lingus flight in Seattle and several hours after they arrive in Ireland, we'll see them in Kenmare. 

What a trip made even more fun with our wonderful family members!

We are blessed. 

Enjoy the photos. 

Note:  because of our travel schedule by air and to our travel destination for tonight, I may not publish the blog tomorrow.  

If that is the case, I will just add photos to the Facebook promotion for this post. Thanks for your patience.   

Beaches and Beauty, Et. Al.

 

The gracious lady on the right took us to lunch yesterday in her beach side town.  Christy and Annie know each other through common friends, geocaching and Caminos.  

Christy is a lawyer and a perennial go-getter, who with her husband Aaron, moved to Portugal a couple of years ago.  After we enjoyed lunch (maybe one of the best meals on the trip) and visiting, she took us on a tour of her home which sits on a mountainside overlooking the ocean AND the beach where her hubby likes to surf. 

I easily feel like I've met a new friend and can say that with confidence because I've enjoyed all the new friends we've met with Annie over the years. 

Thank you, Christy.  You are a gem and a fun one at that. 

After saying good bye to Christy, we headed on south toward Lisbon.  The trip involved more visits to beaches, including one near where we are staying. 

It was an amazing sunset experience, centered around a lighthouse where our apartment host Antonio told us that it's the closest point to America in Portugal. 

BTW:  today we'll visit the westernmost point of Continental Europe.  

The sunset experience around the lighthouse rival most any we've ever experienced except for maybe a few in Maui.  

The place is carpeted with colorful succulents, many of which were promoting some gorgeous blooms. 

Bill and Annie did some geocaching while I had a great time taking photos. 

We also visited an area touting the world's biggest waves and stood in an area overlooking a gorgeous beach below where we watched what appeared to be a surfing class. 

We ate here at our more than spacious apartment last night.  Antonio left us a bottle of red wine, so we went to the grocery store and purchased our individual preferences for dinner and breakfast.  

My bag of groceries, costing $8.47, included two packs of cheese slices, three bottles of water, tortilla chips and a breakfast croissant.  I was amazed when all that cost less than ten dollars.

We'll move on to Lisbon today and stay the night before flying out tomorrow for Dublin.  Bill says that since we left Ireland and are coming back, this will count for my tenth and his ninth trip to Ireland. 

Looking forward to another day of sight seeing on this fabulous sampler of Portugal:  a truly beautiful country with wonderful peeps. 

We are also happy this morning to learn that our power at home was restored last night after the bizarre and damaging storm.  

And, Debbie went to the pet hotel to see our beloved Foster and Bridie.  She was pretty amazed with their excitement at seeing her.  

Soon, they'll be able to do some quality visits with Joe and Bailey, the Young Love pups.  And, the Young Loves will be coming this way to spend some time with us in Ireland.  

It will be sad to say good bye to Annie tomorrow as she heads back to Seattle and returns to work at Groundspeak after her sabbatical.  She has covered every detail in assuring Ma and Pa Love a memorable and fun experience. 

Happy Saturday.  Enjoy the photos. 

P.S.: a few observations so far.

When in Porto or any place with cobblestone-type walking areas, beware of wet surfaces.  Shoes slip when you least suspect it.

2. We paid 50 cents each to go to the bathroom at one of the beach towns.  

If there were anything I'd suggest for these countries, it would be considerable more access to WC's, restrooms, whatever you wish to call them. 

For folks like me, battling plumbing issues, situations can be intimidating. 

3. Pretty much everywhere we have stayed has included nationwide consistencies--showers, commodes, light switches, etc. 

4. The highway systems in both Spain and Portugal are impressive.  

When you hike out to see a glorious sunset, be sure to bring along your red wine.

A couple of views from our casa in Peniche, Portugal, on this Saturday morning. It's been a lovely stay here.