It is Christmas evening and we are in Goshen, NY having a wonderful time with the family.  We have enjoyed good food, good fun and above all, good family.  We are very lucky to have a warm and wonderful Christmas and wish everyone as nice of holiday as we are having!!

Merry Christmas to all!!!!

...etc., etc., etc., That song sums it all up!

We have now been in town two full days plus a dinner and we are having a wonderful time.  I have now been to NYC enough times that I feel like it is my second home in many ways, especially since I "know" the upper West side from visiting Amy frequently.  This trip we are staying at a hotel which is right across the street from the Natural History Museum and the view from the hotel is looking that direction  - needless to say the view is great!

We started our stay with a trip to a sushi restaurant with Amy as soon as we arrived which is always our first inclination, especially here in NYC with all the great sushi restaurants.  It was amazing and after we were ready to fall into bed, considering the time difference.

Friday we got up and went to the Met to see their show, The Age of Rembrandt: Dutch Paintings in the Metropolitan Museum of Art - what a great show, the paintings being displayed together as they were originally collected in NY.  After the museum we met Leo for some lunch and catching up - he needed to get back to his work, so we walked back up 5th avenue, saw Rockefeller center and back to the upper West side to get Amy for dinner. 

We started at Bemelmans bar and had our celebrity citing thanks to Amy - she is always great at spotting people and this time it was the author, Tom Wolfe (The Right Stuff, Bonfire of the Vanities & The Pained Word) in full regalia of fedora & white pants.  This is the best NY classic bar, complete with crooner-piano player and fabulous cocktails.

We then went to another NY institution, Parma, which serves the most amazing Italian food, including my gnocchi! We had a lovely dinner and where home in bed by 10 pm - divine!

Today, Reeves & I met Amy for breakfast at Lenny's and then we left him for a day of shopping.  While Reeves went and had a massage, Amy and I did the city.  We met up later in the day for some drinks and a very yummy dinner at  Paris Commune. 

We have had such a lovely visit and more is still to come!!

... and I say that since we just sold our car!  We put it up on the Internet about 2 weeks ago, but this is the worst season to sell anything big like houses and cars, so we really were worried.  It is our only real asset here and we needed to get it sold since we are off to NYC in a couple hours and after that we only have 12 days here.

Anyway, back to the story, the cosmic wonders of how things work for us always seems to amaze - we say it very often that we lead a charmed life and this is just a very small example...we put our car up to sell, we had ONE person call us about it, they are a very nice couple with a 6 month old boy, we arranged for them to drive it and that evening they called and said they would like to purchase it - for the asking price! (well, it was about 1500 euro under "blue book" since we HAD to sell it)

It is one of those transactions you just feel good about - they got a really great car for a really good price and we got it sold at just the right time to a very nice family who will take care of it for us!!

I have to say I am in a bit of denial about moving, but in the mean time we are off to New York on Thursday.  I am very excited about our trip - x-mas in NYC is always magical and I highly recommend doing it at least one in your life if you haven't experienced the city at this time of the year.

We are visiting with our friends Amy and having lunch with Leo which makes experiencing the city ever more special when you can experience it with a local.  We are staying in the city for 4 days days to do a little sightseeing and shopping then heading upstate to Goshen to stay with Reeves's sister and family for the holidays.  Reeves's parents will also be joining us, so it will be a full house.

For anyone who might read this, I wish you a very wonderful holidays and hope it is a relaxing, joyous and above all, fun time!

We just got home last evening after a final little adventure in the southwest of Ireland, specifically in a place called Dingle. [actually, this was partially written a week ago but after my computer crashing and losing the majority of the post, I just couldn't bear re-writing the whole thing again til now] Claimed as one of the most picturesque spots in all of Ireland, we weren't quiet sure of this as when we arrived on Saturday night as a huge storm was rolling in and the wind and rain shook the rafters. 

We had a nice drive down, with intermittent bursts of sun and showers, creating dramatic vistas along the way.  We stopped in Limerick for lunch and did a quick driving loop around the town.  Once into Dingle, we checked into Heaton's Guesthouse, run by the Heaton family.  The son, David, was holding down the fort while the rest of the family was in the States.

That evening we ate some extremely yummy dinner at the Half Door, a seafood restaurant which was in this charming old building with low ceilings and chock-a-block with Christmas decorations. We had some of the best scallops ever which just melted in your mouth with barely chewing.  After a big dinner and the blustery evening we retired to our lovely little room overlooking Dingle Harbor.  Our room had a gorgeous Jacuzzi tub so I took a lovely long bubble-bath before a great night sleep.

The wind blew beyond belief that evening and we were happy to be snug in bed, waking to some dramatic sky, still overcast with heavy gray clouds.  After a yummy breakfast, also cooked by David, we were off to Killarney and Muckross House.  On our drive along the south coast of the Dingle Peninsula, we were able to witness the gigantic waves and swells in Dingle Bay, just before Inch Point, from the progressing storm. 

We took some snaps of the impressive show, but all the shades gray do not turn out so well on film, which is a  bit disappointing.

Muckross House, our destination for the day, is just south of Killarney. First built in the in 1840s as a hunting "lodge", this residence is a mansion by any standards, yet electricity did not come to the entire area till the 1960s! We took a guided tour of the house, had lunch at their cafe and purchased a pretty vase made at their traditional pottery workshop. 

We proceeded south on a scenic drive called the "Ring of Kerry" and really enjoyed the passing bursts of sun which moved quickly across the vistas.  Stopping frequently to dash off a few pictures, we didn't make it very far till we had to turn around at Sneem (isn't that a great name!) and start back through the valley with the striking Macgillycuddy's Reeks on our left.

   A view from the Upper Lakes of Lough Leane

A view of the Upper Lakes near Moll's Gap

The weather for the day was actually not too bad with only a few passing showers, but the wind still continued to blow quite strongly. On our drive home, however, it took a turn for the worse and we actually went through a bout of hail and surges of pouring rain.  The drive, along these tiny Irish road, in the dark, with a vast cliff on your left, was quite the adventure!

That evening we relaxed at the Chart House for dinner (no relation to the American chain).  This was another delightful restaurant and just a wee bit more elegant than the previous evening with a very charming French host.  He was the only one working in the dining room that evening, but he was ever so efficient.  It was also very cute, when Reeves responded to him in French a couple times, he was so flustered he didn't know how to respond - guess the locals and the various American tourists don't usually know much French! [as a side note in regards to travelling Americans, we giggled a bit at another couple who, having breakfast at the hotel, the wife asked what "porridge" and "kippers" were - now I know I am not the most sophisticated traveller out there, but how sheltered of a life do you lead to not know these foods, at least on a general category level?]I dined that evening on the most amazing lamb which had a wonderfully wild flavor and Reeves plaice was incredibly delicate and crumbly.

Our last day we woke to filtered sunshine with the sunrise streaking through the clouds just over hills on Dingle Harbor.  Our itinerary for the day was to drive the Dingle Peninsula and the weather didn't disappoint.  With the storm now having passed through, it was a glorious day - mild, sunny and a perfect backdrop to see this picturesque country. 

Near Fahan on the Dingle Pen.

Someone looking for a handout

A view toward Garraun Pt from near Slea Head

We drove clockwise around the Peninsula, taking a multitude of pictures (gotta love digital) and also stopped by the Gallarus Oratory, an 8th or 9th Century stone chapel, one of the oldest existing of its kind. 

The Gallarus Oratory

Out here on the edge of the world it seems, was also a retail experience, the pottery studio of the famous Louis Mulcahy.  They have a shop in Dublin, but I prefer to purchase things from "the source" so we bought four of the most lovely mugs and a small milk pot from their Clogher workshop.  I would love to have one of their 2-3 foot high vases, but it is a little too big without know where it is going to go.

Our drive took us back trough Dingle again and then an uneventful drive home, which is always good.  It was quite a bit of driving for three days, but we really saw a goodly portion of the Southwest of Ireland and will miss this gorgeous country! 

...is the next door neighbor's teenage son who thinks he is the next member of The Who!  He is a bass player who frequently has his band members over to practice in their "club house" which is at the back of the property.  It is basically a shed without insulation and the problem is they like to practice at full volume, the same pieces, over and over and over!!  For someone who "works" at home, it is very annoying to have to listen to this for hours on end in the afternoons and evenings.  I have been trying to do paperwork all day; bills, insurance claims, etc. - fun stuff and it is hard to concentrate when your insides are pulsing with the sound of a bass. Sigh.....this will NOT be missed......

Tuesday we were off on an out of town adventure - we took the bus from Granada to Cordoba, about 2 hours away. Thankfully my very very rusty Spanish was enough to navigate taxis & bus stations as we really met very few people who spoke any English at all. For as many tourists around this area I was a little surprised no one spoke any English.

Along the route we drove by at least two Moorish fortresses (and of course, one of them had an attached cathedral) on the tops of hills which dominated the landscape.  It was fun to see them all lit up on the way back.

View from the bus of the Fortaleza de la Mota in Alcala la Real

We arrived in Cordoba around 1pm and proceeded to la Mezquita, the 8th Century Mosque in which Charles V carved out the middle in the 16th Century to build a huge cathedral amidst the sea of columns.  The collision of styles and cultures was fascinating.  It is impressive how many Moorish design and architectural elements still remain, but too bad that so many didn't survive.  Now officially a cathedral, it is hard not to see this building as a mosque first and a Christian cathedral second.  It was very quiet and few tourists were there so we were able to take our time and enjoy many picture-taking opportunities. We both love Moorish architecture so this building was quite a treat.

  The cornices and arches of the Mezquita

 The sea of columns, reused from Roman temples

We walked about the center of town a little till the Alcazar (de los Reyes Cristianos) re-opened in the afternoon.  It is the fortified palace built in 1328 which was used by the Inquisition for more than 300 years and a prison till the 1950s. The tranquil gardens and large modern hall with exquisitely restored Roman mosaics don't divulge its tumultuous past.

 View of the Alcazar from the tower

The gardens looking toward the Alcazar in Cordoba

After a long day we were weary and the entirely full bus was not exactly the thing we wanted, but what can you do.  It wouldn't have been so bad except the woman directly to my right across the isle ate, non-stop for over an hour, a full bag of popcorn, with her mouth fully open! Argh! Sigh....... again, what 'cha gonna do.

Our last day we decided to sleep in, and sleep in we did - we both woke around noon!  Another night of about 11 hours of sleep -pure bliss!!  By the time we were out of the hotel and to food it was already lunch time, even by Spanish standards, so we grabbed a quick pizza, found the post office, walk about a bit and happened to stumble upon the Monastery of St. Jerome.  As our tour book said, the very austere exterior does not divulge the over-the-top interior.  The main church look like someone was a little OCD with the Baroque and didn't know when to stop.  While grandiose, it was all a bit loud, as if someone was screaming Baroque at you.  

The VERY Baroque interior of St. Jerome's

We ended the day with a visit to the archaeology museum which was just down the street from our hotel.  It was a nicely done little display exhibited in a Renaissance building.  

The last food hurrah was back at the restaurant from Monday night and the same delicious Paella. Even eating at 7:30pm we were the first ones in the restaurant followed about 30 minutes later by some German tourists and British tourists.  It wasn't until about 9pm the place started to have some locals come in....my questions is, what do people do till 9pm when they have dinner! :)

I am now inspired to seek out some great Paella recipes and give it a go - but I think it will have to wait a few weeks! :)

We are resting in our lovely room with a view (of the Alhambra, that is) after a great day visiting the palace complex.  We slept in a bit, till 9am, and had a nice little continental breakfast at the hotel and walked up the back side of the hill on which the Alhambra is situated.  Our hotel is very centrally located and we really are enjoying it as a place to stay. In fact, our room when we arrive was small, but nice, the problem was however, since it was winter and they had turned off the hotel's air conditioning, the room did not have a window which opened to the outdoors, it was warm & stuffy, and definitely too warm to sleep comfortably. When we inquired about this they stated they would upgrade us to another room the following night free of charge - very nice!

The view from our room up to the Alhambra

Back to the day - we walked up to the palace and did the tour of the main palace or Palacios Nazaries. We really enjoy traveling in the fall/early winter as the crowds are less and there are fewer children to trip over.  I can't even imagine how exhausting this place would be at the height of tourist season with the summer heat, but we had a lovely sunny, crisp day with only a few tour groups to navigate around.

Reflecting pool at the "Court of the Myrtles"

A small bite for lunch at the plaza within the Alhambra

The views from the palace were amazing and we could see our hotel from several vantage points. 

Our hotel is up the street in the center of the photo

With all the fall colors blanketing the trees, it proved a nice contrast to the red palace and the bright blue sky.

Yesterday, after sleep almost 13 hours (I think we were both exhausted!) we had our brunch of Tortilla Espana & sliced chorizo while basking in the warm sun.  The restaurant was along the Carrera del Darro near our hotel and provided the perfect spot for people watching out on their Sunday stroll.

Reeves and a lovely brunch venue

We then walked up and down the Albaicin area till we arrived at the Catedral.  It wasn't open yet so we decided to take an open-top bus tour around the city.  It was so-so, with the audio cutting in and out, but it let us see a few parts of Grenada outside the area we could comfortably walk. 

We arrived back at the Catedral and visited the Royal Chapel & the main church.  It was such a spectacular interior and much more uplifting and light than the typical English or French cathedrals which was a nice change.

We ended our day with a huge lunch which was actually our dinner since we had skipped "lunch". It was an incredible Paella which we shared and did very well, almost finishing the whole plate!

Paella!!!

By 7:30 we were ready to collapse and enjoy an evening in our cozy room with a view.

..on the coast!  And thank goodness, especially since when Reeves and I landed in Malaga, Spain, it was overcast, raining and cold we were not too terribly happy about the beginning of our holiday. Our flight was right on time and we made it to the bus station toot-sweet, but that just gave us a couple hours to wait in the cold for the bus. We were both discombobulated from waking way too early, the bus station was a bit scary and dirty and we were having a hard time finding anyone that spoke English.  I think with all the stress of everything that is going on, at that moment in the bus terminal, if we could have just been back in Dublin, we would have both wished it!

We did, however, make it safe and sound to Granada, our destination around 4 pm after driving out of the rain into a beautiful sunny afternoon- just in time for lunch, Spanish style.  Just around the corner from our hotel was a lovely restaurant where we could sit and have a menu in English, at least for the first day when we were tired and grumpy.  It turned out to be fabulous and after we walked around for a short bit taking some shots of the full moon over this charming and romantic town.

The moon over Granada - no it is not a new Denny's menu item :)

We are now back in our hotel room and ready for bed like the old fogies we are - especially when people are just going out to dinner here!!  I really do love our hotel - more about that soon.