A new tradition

2009 is well along and hope over fear is the prevailing theme. We have transitioned through the holidays to embrace the new era of uncertainty, continued conservations, and hopeful outcomes. Our holidays were quiet but joy full. We sent Christmas cards with newsletters, and packages to the States. Some arrived before Thanksgiving and others last week. All were mailed in early November.

We took an Ulster Bus tour to Killarney for five days. The scenery was beautiful and the time of year brilliant. The week before Christmas the driver said 400 people came to the hotel on ten buses of 40 each. Our bus had 22 and the hotel was quiet. The first day we visited Tralee where Ward got a new wool cap, and then Killarney where Marda bought some gifts. The second day we toured clockwise around the Dingle Peninsula and spent time at Inch strand, the Blaskets, then in Dingle. The third day we drove counterclockwise around the ring of Kerry, stopping in Waterville and Sneem and photo stops for views of the Gap of Dunloe, Muckross House and Ross Castle. Food was great and company as well. We were blessed with no rain and no crowds.

So at least while we can and while we are in Ireland we may plan to continue this tradition but the pound was weak against the Euro so while lunches were dear the set price for the tour including bus, room rate and meals at the hotel were a bargain. I suspect the price will go up next year on the tours to euro based countries.