Barcelona

Looking out at the Snow outside made us wish we were somewhere else. Had a good look around and took the advice of some of my Cousins and for once have booked a package holiday of sorts. Well an organised City break to Barcelona. Will be based just outside at a seaside resort and there are a few day trips and meals thrown in so for once nearly everything will be organised for us. One of the days there is a trip to Gerona, also a trip to Montserrat. Probably go in Barcelona a couple of times.

White New Year

There was no Snow at Christmas but we had a White New Years Eve/Day. Happy New Year.

Budget 2009/10

Everyone in Ireland is waiting to hear what the Government is going to announce in next weeks Budget. Not knowing is the hardest thing. The Irish Govt. has been looking for pay cuts in the public Sector and the unions don't want to give much away. I am not in the Govt. sector directly but my wages are paid for by the state. There has been a suggestion of a 4.5% pay cut to as much as 12.5%, alternatively the big Unions were offering that unpaid leave could be taken to reduce Government expenditure. Not that I want a pay cut but say a 2 weeks leave unpaid would be preferable. Even a month. I could go on a cheap holiday to Europe, bring a tent and live as cheaply as possible. See if you can still go on holidays on say 30 euro a day, have to be somewhere warm and on a campsite. Alternatively if I manage to buy that small cottage down the country, I could spend a whole month doing it up and save a small fortune on labour costs. Probably be better take unpaid leave, get some tax credits and do some manual work on a house. Probably less stressful too.
Another good outcome of the credit crunch in Ireland for me at least is the prices of most houses has collapsed, so I may have lost out on my pension savings been decimated but should at least make it back by having delayed buying a House in 2007. 2007 was the high point for property in Ireland. A cottage I am still looking at was 198,000 euro a year ago, now they are looking for 100,000 and only have an offer of 90,000. Anyone who bought at the height of the boom and borrowed the money are looking at a huge loss if they had to sell. Many did buy hoping to sell later at a profit or to fund their own pension. The Government are doing nothing to help except looking for public service pay cuts.
Hopefully for me 2010 will be House and some more Holidays, despite all the doom and gloom.

London Calling

Off on the short hop over to London in a couple of weeks, Frank is going over to work over there for a couple of weeks so a good excuse to go on a bit of a shopping trip and sightseeing trip. Also my friend Orla is studying in Cambridge and we hope to meet up for a bevvy in the local Pig and Whistle somewhere in the middle. Cant think of anywhere new to see or do but will enjoy going over without any firm plans and see what happens. Probably have to go to Greenwich on the Docklands Light Railway, some more Classic caffs and the Applestore.

Dublin Airport 1960's

Another from the Archives, an ld Postcard from Dublin Airport.

Back to the early 60's

Classic view of Dublins Main Street. Not sure of the year but possibly 1958.

2010

Nothing booked yet for 2010 holidays wise. Used to have a look at the 'special offers on ryanair.com and even Aer Lingus, but no real bargains anymore. Both airlines have jumped on the cheap initial fare then add on loads of charges. Have decided over the last year or so you have to do a weigh up on the fare v convenience and destination and weather. Also while its best to go somewhere different every time its also a bit of a relief knowing in advance the Airport, how to get to your Hotel, somewhere to eat and so on. So for 2010 have planned to do about 4 trips. First trip probably in January or February, so have to go somewhere with good weather so that really means Portugal or Spain, maybe Italy. I'd really like to return to Porto in Portugal but there are no direct flights. Ryanair did fly direct for a time but they couldnt make it profitable. So may decide to go to Lisbon and get the train to Porto. Again for me it means loads of trains and trams to travel on, though I don't bring along my Anorak and pencil. Theres also plenty of places to eat and have snacks especially the Majestic Cafe in Porto. And Pasteis de Belem in Lisbon. In Porto have found a highly recommended Hotel in the very centre of the Main Square, and although you might think I planned it there is a brand new 'Old' Tram route which does a circular route right round to the Majestic Cafe! Brilliant or what.

Later in 2010 another trip is pencilled in to Switzerland, possibly Cologne. Somewhere in France later in the year. Anywhere in France is great, possibly Montpellier or back to Collioure, Beauvais who could choose.

Photos from Porto in 2006, Trams along the Riverfront and the Interior of the Majestic Cafe.

Living the High Life

We visited Monaco while on hols in Nice. Even one of the most expensive destinations is affordable for the regular traveller, just do not expect to stay in any Hotels or bother looking for Apartments to buy. Even cheap Apartments are over one million, a studio may be affordable and the sky is the limit for anything else. We got the Tourist bus up to the top of Monaco where its at least possible for a couple of hours to pretend to be part of the Monaco Jet Set. At the Jardin du Exotique you can get a great view looking down over much of Monaco and the Cafe Brasserie is fairly reasonable for snacks and drinks. We watched the Sun set then decided it was time to go back to Monaco. We had forgotten though about the rush hour traffic. Around six o clock most of the ordinary workers leave their jobs and also Monaco. Most ordinary people cannot afford to live in the Principality and thus at that hour every bus is packed with people going home to France. In fact having an orderly queue for the bus is seemingly non existant. When the Coach arrived at the correct time, Mum was at the top of the queue but the driver decided to stop about 8 metres further along and when he opened the door a mad scramble for the door ensued. One elderly man was knocked down as people pushed and shoved. I decided to wait for the next Coach. The next Coach was almost as Bad, Mum almost got on but the driver made everyone get off as he was full. The next coach was a special one direct to Nice and the Airport and was 5 Euro so only one person got on to an otherwise empty coach. We got on to the next Coach and got home safely.
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Train de Pignes

Hoping not to bore those who don't like Trains or don't have the Anorak. But an essential part of a holiday for me is a trip up the mountains or along a coast by train to another town or City. An essential trip from Nice is up the Mountains on the narrow gauge railway to Digne. Most Sundays the local Steam Enthusiasts run special excursions along part of the route in an old steam train. Arriving at the train station you board the regular train. Unusually there were as many women and children and not just 'trainspotter men' . Arriving at Puget-Théniers our Steam Train awaited along with more people waiting to get on the train and volunteers pushing wagons and assorted people taking photographs, selling souvenirs, having picnics. The French are as enthusiastic as their British counterparts when it comes to steam travel. There were several men covered head to toe in oil and soot and I half expected to see a french version of 'Fred Dibnah' asking 'Did you like that' in french of course.

The trip itself went slowly up to Entreveux which was a beautiful town to stop for a couple of hours and we ate in a little cafe, had another stroll around the town and then another coffee/wine break at a little roadside cafe. All very french, very authentic and again very reasonable compared to rip of Ireland. If you couldn't afford the special steam train trip the regular train is much cheaper and you get off the train and get back on again and thus visit several interesting towns and walks along the route to Digne. You can even get a coach from Nice for one euro which goes up most of the way to Digne.

Nice in Nice again.

Went over to the South of France for 5 nights. Stayed in the same hotel as before, not the best hotel but was adequate and at least this time the rooms were bigger and even had a balcony and air conditioning. One the first day we went by coach to Monaco via Eze. Eze is a little town overlooking the sea and good sea views on a beautiful sunny day. We ate al fresco and got chips etc in a takeaway and Mum had a glass of wine sitting on a bench outside a bar. From there we got on a Coach to Menton a seaside town and sat out in the Sun, had a couple of drinks and ice creams and it was getting dark when we finally set off back to Nice. Amazingly the coach trip is only one euro for about 10 km. Back in Nice we went to 'Flunch' for our dinner, and we ate there nearly every night. Flunch is a big french restaurant chain. Possibly not quite up market enough for some but the food is always fully cooked and fresh and if your really hungry you can go back and eat as much as you like in the way of veg, chips, potatoes and rice, though no more meat. In fact we noticed some people didnt even bother paying. Each night we were there we noticed 2 fairly well dressed men were always there and they kept going up for more helpings of chips and pasta. I think they either brought their own plates in or something like they had some arrangement with the staff. They both sneaked in their own bottle of wine I noticed. Actually Flunch is so cheap I wonder how they do it, you can buy a small salad for 2.50 and then go up for as much vegetables and chips as you like. Even a full meal and a large glass of wine was about 7.20 if you chose the 'Plat de Jour' There are other similar chains in France, 'Casino' and 'LeClerc' who offer similar deals.
When I returned home i asked Mum had she brought much money home and she said she had. Most days we had probably managed on about 25 euro a day. We just had one expensive trip which was a steam train trip up the mountains, even that was good value at about 30 euro for a 7 hour excursion.

Another Mystery Trip

Back in the early 70's we used to go on CIEs Mystery train. In theory you didnt know where you might end up, but as soon as you got onboard the train everyone used to know. Years later a co-worker told me she used to work with her Mother on the mystery train selling bars of chocolate and apples. her Mother knew the train driver and thats how she found out. One of the times we arrived at Boyle, Roscommon. It must be nearly 40 years since I was in Boyle and now at last another mystery trip to Boyle.
This time its a trip to have a look at some 'bargain' houses and it will probably be another mystery. Firstly will the houses be actually in the Village or miles out, how come a 5 bedroom house is so cheap. And the final mystery is will the train stop in Boyle. The last time my brother went by train to Boyle, there was a special promotion at a special price for a day return. However when it was time to return to the station, he waited for the train but it never came, I cant remember how he got home, I think CIE arranged a bus or taxi to bring him to another station. Anyhow I hope that doesnt happen on my return.

GoogleHols

One of the great ways to remember a holiday or plan another one is to use Googlemaps and especially the now 'Street view' where you can view most big cities street by street. For example before booking a hotel you may be able to locate it exactly before you go and check out the local area. See how easy it is to get to, local shops. A couple of Summers ago we went to Zurich and stayed in a Bed and breakfast Apartment. Staying anywhere in switzerland is normally expensive but theres an organisation there who have a website WWW.Bnb.ch. We booked a week in Zurich and the Apartments turned out to be only about 10 minutes by tram. the Owner actually gave very good directions at the time and we had no difficulty finding the Apartment block. He told us to look out for the big concrete frog right outside and the tram stop was nearby too.
Checking back today using googlemaps you can do a search of the Apartments address and googlemaps brings you a map and the street view shows the frog and even a tram stopping right outside. You can also check to see if theres any local small shops and cafes etc.
Hopefully next year we may go back to Zurich for another holiday. Probably not the most interesting City for some people but its a good point for further travel around Switzerland, most towns and cities are no more than 2 hours by train. Switzerland has the reputation of being rather expensive but I didnt really think it made much difference to the holiday. Expensive up market hotels and restaurants are not our cup of tea anyhow. In the mornings our Apartment owner delighted in offering us various home made breads, fresh orange and coffee. Actually the bread was a bit on the tough to eat side but our host seemed very happy to offer us more bread and kept asking us if we liked the bread. We then set out for the day and got the tram to the train station and got fresh rolls and drinks in the local Co-op. If anything fresh food is cheaper in Switzerland than in Ireland. The train station had the usual collection of cafes and convenience stores as well as a Swiss food produce market in the middle of the old central hall. You could taste free samples of cheese and bread and take in the different flavours and smells. The Swiss certainly know how to run an efficient train service and also how to develop a proper train station and look after its customers. Some evenings they had wine tasting, music most nights and of course the trains run on time!

Tuscany-Florence 2009

Decided to return again to Tuscany this year. This time managed to find accommodation on the Web. Flew into Bologna and stayed 2 nights there. You have to get the Airport bus to Bologna to get to the train station. It was 5 euro one way, goes regularly so no complaints there. We stayed 2 nights in the Mercure Hotel opposite the train station. Had air conditioning and we didn’t bother with breakfast, just east al fresco. Glad we had air conditioning and immediately regretted not having done the same for Florence. I had forgotten how hot it becomes in early June in Italy. There wasn’t a lot to see in Bologna really but we did an enjoyable stroll around the centre and got a couple of buses to get a flavor of the place. The second day we went by train to Modena, a few miles from Florence. A medium sized town best known as the birthplace of Pavarotti and they have an Opera House named after him as well as a school of Opera and you could hear several aspiring new singers practicing in studios nearby. I had hoped to go to the Ferrari factory which was in Maranello but missed the local bus which only goes a couple times a day so had to do with a trip around the town in a Trolleybus and a bit of shopping and something to eat. Got some great cheap gifts in an Italian Euro shop.
The following day we went by Train to Florence. We went on the new Eurostar train as the regular train was nearly the same price and the Eurostar was more comfortable though not running anything near its possible top speed.
Had booked 2 rooms in Hotel Aline, should have realize that 30 euro was too cheap for a hotel room. The Hotel was supposed to be 15 minutes walk from the train station but we got lost and it took much longer than that. On the first night my bed collapsed as soon as I jumped into it. Looking underneath the bed was already broken and held together with broken bits of wood and ‘bluetak’. Not being able to find anyone to help I found another bed from a selection of beds located out on the fire escape. I managed to make up a bed from bits and pieces. And left the broken bed frame with the other bits on the fire escape.
Apart from the bed incident the only other complaint was getting bitten all over by bugs and the heat. Luckily being so tired every night meant I fell asleep quickly. Next time must remember to go for the dearer Hotel with proper beds and air conditioning.

We used Florence as a base and did several trips. We went by train to Pisa, Lucca and a fairly long trip to Assisi. Assisi was about 2 hours but it was a nice trip, and from Assisi station there was a bus to take you to the town. You can buy bus tickets in the train station. I found it easier to buy the train tickets at the automatic ticket machines. The queues at the ticket office were very slow. We got a coach to Siena as the train doesn’t go near the town. The coach station is a bit hard to find in Florence. If you are the Florence train station, the coach station is over beyond where they are building the new tram line terminus, and the temporary tourist office is also there. The Italian authorities seem reluctant to put up direction signs.
Within Florence we got a small bus, Bus 12 up and 13 back which brings you to Piazzale Michelangelo where there is a great view looking down on Florence. Further up the hill is San Minuito church, which has another great view and a long walk up. The bus terminus is just down from McDonalds which is opposite the trainstation.
You can get another local bus (number 7) to another hill top town called Fiesole, only takes about 15 minutes and you could go there in the evenings for a coffee or a meal in several cafes.
We didn’t go for any expensives meals, we ate mainly in the train station or grabbed slices of pizza outside, and McDonalds of course for snacks. There were 2 cafes we found quite useful. One was near the Duemo called Leonardos. It was upstairs over a shop. They had bottle openers hanging from the tables on chains. But it was honest local cooking and food was good. One of my friends was there last year and she loved the bottle openers as being the deal clincher. For a budget meal you could do no better than leonardos. Also easy to find was a corner café right opposite the Duemo. Bottegone was the name and really good value plus you can look out at the crowds admiring the Duemo.

Florence 2003

Florence trip.
Went to Florence in 2003, at the time couldn’t really find suitable accommodation and ended up staying outside in a Camp site near Figline. For some reason I don’t like to just arrive and book at the last minute. Back to the camp site, he accommodation was of the chalet type. It wasn’t ideal and it got very hot at night and opening the windows meant plenty of bugs and bites all night. Initially getting there was a long drawn out affair. We had booked to fly to Pisa airport, then a train to Florence, and another local train to Figline. Following booking instructions there was supposed to be a ‘free’ minibus up to the camp site. However there was no sign of anyone at the station. I rang the site and eventually a minibus arrived to pick us up and a Dutch couple who arrived on the same train. Arriving at the site our taxi driver demanded payment or a tip. Well he had no English but he stuck his hand out, obviously asking for payment. Two euro was given the look of disdain so I upped it to four euro, no response so I decided to offer the international sign of having no more money, which is the two hands held out apart. He then decided to release our bags and then the same tip was asked from the Dutch couple to release their bags.
We did ask when checking in at the site about the free bus service and we were told its only free as in its ‘freely’ available upon request depending if a car or minibus was available or not. The camp also had devised its own system for paying for meals and buying things in the on site shop. You were given a special credit card and you bought credit in advance. Apparently this was to avoid having to carry cash and to prevent thefts etc. We were told you couldn’t use cash on the site. Later it turned out the system was just Italian nonsense, all the shops took cash if you asked. No one wanted to turn down cash, I imagine the camp site got a cut from all the purchases on the credit cards which the shops wanted to avoid?
Most days we did manage to get a free lift down to the train station as most of the staff was much friendlier than the minibus driver and we also availed of cheap coach trips to Siena and San Gimiano. Again going for the cheap coach trip meant the coach invariably had non-working air conditioning. I guess the air conditioning hadn’t worked for years.

Nice 2009

Only went to Nice in 2008 but we have decided to return. Firstly its easy to get to from Ireland, the Airport is near the City. Also good transport links, even better food and hopefully good early Autumn weather. Last time Missed out on a trip aboard the Nice-Digne railway, we ran out of time. This is a privatly owned narrow gauge mountain railway sometimes known as the 'train des Pignes' which roughly translates to the train of of Pine Cones. Probably quite a bumpy ride and the coaches are quite old but the scenery and fresh air should be worth it. Not sure if there are any catering facilities on the train so we will stock up before we go with fresh french bread and fresh food and have a picnic. Probably Mum will bring a little bottle of white wine. We had a similar trip last time on the 'Train de Mervilles which went on a different route to Tende and the photo here is from that trip.
Going to stay in the same hotel as before. Its was in need of a bit of painting last time, but the food was a bonus and it s very near the train station and the new tram. Also right beside the main restaurant area and there is a load of small shops nearby for Mum to rummage around.

Another one of Mums stories, to get your teeth stuck into.

Dracula
From an early age I was a great reader. Nothing compared to a great book for passing the time. I read all the books in the children’s library in Thomas Street by by Charlos Kindesley, secondly “ the Turf Cutters Donkey “ by Patricia Lynch. And it wasn’t long before I had read all the books in the children’s section and was looking forward to when I could go in to the Adult section. The great day finally arrived and I feasted on Annie M.P. Smythsons, Charles Dickens, Jane Austin, and the Bronte Sisters.
On one occasion I saw the book “Dracula” by Bram Stoker and thought “this looks interesting” I brought it home and was soon immersed in it, meals went cold while I’D finish a chapter, finally my Father said “ what book is she reading?” He took the book to have a look at it “Jesus Mary and Joseph!” He exclaimed, “ I don’t believe what I’m seeing, no wonder he is walking in her sleep, bring the book back at once to the library”
I had to bring the book back to the library although I was only halfway through it, I tried to think of ways to finish it. I hid the book in the library behind some other books so no one would borrow it and planned to take it out again.
Another day I went up to the library and took the book out again and secreted it down my gymslip. Where to hide it was the problem, as my Mother had “eyes in the back of her head” We had an outside toilet with an overhead cistern. So I decided on top of that cistern would be a good hiding place. I stood on the seat of the toilet and put “Dracula” on top of the cistern. I spent a good few times out there reading it. Bit by bit. And there my memory stood still until about 40 years later on a fortnight’s holiday with Lena my sister. We talked our heads off as you can imagine being together all day and night for 2 weeks. Somebody mentioned another tour he was on to Transylvania and the castle of “Dracula”
And Lena said “ Oh Yes Betty, you must remember you got yourself constipated reading that book” What on earth are you talking about, I said to her. “Don’t you remember getting a dose of Castor Oil when you were reading Dracula?” She said.
Suddenly it dawned on me. My Mother had not been fooled by me at all. I remembered coming in out of the toilet. My Mother stood before me with a large spoonful of castor oil saying “ you are spending a lot of time in the toilet, you must be constipated. Open your mouth and swallow this”, which I duly did and promptly forgot all about it. They knew all the time about my secret reading but obviously decided to let it go.
I thought there are lessons to be learned from this.
There are times when rearing children you have to turn a blind eye to some of their escapades and pretend you don’t notice. How wise my Mother was to know that come hell or high water I was determined to finish the book and decided not to make an issue of it.
As for myself I can still get lost reading a book I remember a couple of years ago early one morning stirring the porridge with a spoon in one hand and Dr. Zhivago in the other hand.

Coming Soon

Mum is just about to release her latest short story. Ressurected from the past.

Memories

Mums story about going to the Circus is in the main true. However she forgot and still can't remember also volunteering for the bare back horse riding later in the evening. Frank my brother also seems to remember mum being attached to a rotating board and the knives being thrown as Mum slowly revolved. I can't remember exactly either, myself, Frank,Trevor and Graham were in knots of laughter and Mildred was almost having a heart attack as the knives or Tomahawks were thrown. The other thing about Duffy's Circus was that every performer had about four or five roles during the performance. I don't think the Indian was a native American, I think he came from Cork, later he became a Lion Tamer, then played in the band. I think they had about twelve or more people but it seemed like about fifty and all with glamorous names from all parts of the World. It was an unforgettable night and it was over 40 years ago now. Duffy's Circus is still on the go and currently are on tour again in Dublin.

Ten Drum Rolls

Mums Story about trip to the Circus
Its not everyone can say they got a drum roll, when they appeared at Duffy’s Circus. In fact it’s not everyone who had an opportunity to appear in the Circus. Well it happened to me once.
My two sons Frank and John saw a bill poster advertising ‘Duffy’s Circus and they persecuted me to bring them to the Circu. So I agreed to take them, and we were joined by our next door neighbour Mildred and here two boys Graham and Trevor.
Husbands were recruited to take us to Terenure and to call back later to bring us home.
And so we set off, boys with their bags of swag and mothers with a packet of Aspirin.
The Band played the march of the Gladiators and out came a procession of the circus performers. The excitement was ninety and there were Clown, Dancing Girls, Bareback Rider, Jugglers, Ponies and a Lion Tamer.
After a little the Ringmaster announced that ‘Thunder Cloud’ an Indian Chief was going to give an Exhibition of Tomahawk throwing and asked for a volunteer from the Audience “ any brave lady like to appear with Apache chief Thunder Cloud”
Mildred turned to (Frank my eldest) and said “ I am sure your Mum would like to volunteer”. Well some little Devil must have whispered in my ear, and never being one to turn down a dare, up I got and went down into the Ring amid great applause.
The Ringmaster nearly had a heart attack as it appears that usually a Circus member pretends to be a member of the audience, but because I hopped up first he had no alternative but to let me take part. He kept on repeating to me “ Don’t move Mrs. whatever you do. I had no intention of moving as much as an eyelid and was already regretting my action.
Out came The Chief with his ten Tomahawks and he got me to stand with my back to a wooden door. Well I can tell you that every time he threw a Tomahawk I got a Drum Roll followed by a thump as the Tomahawk became embedded in the door. I can still remember the thud today.
Mean while up in the audience Mildred was also having palpitations and already trying to think of how to break it to John (My husband) that I had been killed by Indian Chief Thunder Cloud. She regretted daring me to go on. He would ask her “ why didn’t you stop her”
However it finished at last and I returned to my seat, the four boys were thrilled by it all.
It often comes up in conversation that night. My Son Frank now nearly 53 years of age says “ I can still remember the look on Mildreds face when you went into the Circus Ring.

Howth

Another day trip the Maguires always went on was a quick trip out to Howth. Its a short train journey or by car and even occasionally I cycled out with a few friends. Its a little fishing village and very popular on Sundays. It has the usual selection of Pubs, Cafes and Restaurants. On weekdays you can buy fresh fish from numerous fish shops. Until the late 50's you could go for a trip around Howth on the Hill of Howth tram. Unfortunately lack of investment and indeed passengers meant it closed down before I was born. Frank my brother was lucky enough to take a trip. All I ever saw was the remains of the tramway in Sutton and you can still see the odd pole. Here are 2 more photos. You see Mum in the second picture walking towards the 2 trams.

http://www.europafilmtreasures.eu/PY/261/fiche_technique.htm?ID=261