Getting all your Ducks in a Row

Wait for us Mama!

Sky Watch Friday : Architectural Details in the Sky

London Buildings

The two London buildings, seen from the 34th floor of another building, are known as the Gherkin and the Cheesegrater, and are very different looking from the usual square skyscrapers, thanks to the imaginative architecture.

 

Linked to Skywatch Friday

A Little Bit of Blarney!

The world famous Blarney Stone is at the top of Blarney Castle, and can only be reached by climbing up some 100 winding stone steps, in the same way that the lords and ladies of the Castle climbed up to their dining hall and their bed chambers, for centuries.  The Castle is over 600 years old, and was the ancient seat of the MacCarthys of Muskerry.

The present owners of the Castle, the Colthursts, live in nearby Blarney House, which can also be visited by arrangement.

I took some visitors to the Castle during the week, and even though the climb was slow because of the many visitors, the view from the top was worth it.   Most people who visit the castle want to kiss the Blarney Stone, and this is supposed to give one the ‘gift of the gab’  or the gift of eloquence.    Winston Churchill, who was known as a very eloquent speaker, is rumoured to have kissed the Blarney Stone, which might, or might not, have something to do with his eloquence!

Blarney Castle, Cork

Kissing the Blarney Stone is not as simple as it sounds though.   The  stone is located on the outside wall, below the battlements, and to kiss it you have to lie on your back, and lean backwards until you reach the stone and give it a big kiss!   It sounds daunting, but is quite safe, and there is someone to help you to get back on your feet again after you have received this amazing gift of eloquence!

The Castle has many other attractions, as it is set in over 60 acres of parklands, which include gardens, avenues, streams and trees, there is even a Witches Stone and a Witches Cauldron bubbling away in the Kitchen, a Fairy Glade and some Wishing Steps.   It is a very magical place with a lake, a fern garden, a poison garden, and old stables that have now been converted to tea rooms.

Getting ready to kiss!

Blarney or Baloney?

The battlements and the stone

The Great Hall

Winston Churchill

Old tower

The dungeons

 

Weekly Photo Challenge : Work of Art

 

 

Sometimes, even the most ordinary and functional things can be made into a work of art.   This treatment plant, on the Blackrock walk in Cork, has been camouflaged to fit in with the surroundings, and also to give people something to smile about as they run, walk, jog or cycle along  the harbour.

Linked to Weekly Photo Challenge.

Sentry on Duty – Watch Out!

‘Model’ sentry on duty

We came across this soldier on duty outside Duncannon Fort in County Wexford, I don’t think he is too dangerous though, seeing that he is only a statue!

Happy Easter Everyone!

Wordless Wedneday : Warthog Stew?

My favourite animal

Counting Crows…and Cows : Wordless Wednesday

Drink More Guinness!

 

So what are you waiting for!

Weekly Photo Challenge : Juxtaposition

For this week’s photo challenge, I bring you….

FeeFiFoFum…..The Giant and the Cow!

No Animals were harmed…or shrunk…in the making of this photo.

Mmmmm..tasty morsel

Wordless Wednesday : There are 9 million bicycles in…………