Reflections of April Holiday

First and foremost, let's start off with the crazy signs. Please note that these are prevelent here. That is what is odd. I thought they were funny the first time, but I guess, these are just the normal hazzard signs.....


Ok, so I guess this is like our Danger of Electrocution, but this is a far funny sign and you have to love the picture. I was so excited when I saw this, and then we saw it like everywhere. Heck, there is even one on my street.

Tank Crossing? Were we on restricted grounds??? The better sign was the NO TANKS ALLOWED going into a town, but we missed it. Guess I need to start driving through more military areas in the states to take pictures of the signs.

I just don't get it? Is this an angle or what? Haven't seen anything like it. I will not of course mention the person who thought it was number of steps.....how can there be more steps going up than down on the same stairway???

And the classic.....please do not drive off cliff.

Some brief reflections of the trip
- Northern Ireland is beautiful and a place I would like to explore further
- Renting a car in Europe is not the same as renting a car in the US, and nothing redeeming about the experience really other than the cars did not blow up while we were driving them
- In really rural areas of Ireland, it is near impossible to understand the English spoken
- Sometimes maps mislead and take us down horrifically narrow roads meant for one yugo-sized car and a driver who has no fear
- Money never really goes as far as you'd like, no matter what currency is being used
- Trying 'local' food isn't always the best and at times is darn right scary
- When a person is in the street, you really should try better to avoid hitting her. And when a NUN is in the street, you should try harder!! Thankfully, we did not hit anyone.....but there was that rather scary incident with the woman who leaped back into her car......hee hee.
- Always remember that people in some places lie to make more money - ok, most people in most places, lie to make money
- You do not really need a souvenir from every single place you go (or do you)?
- Scotland is worthy of an entire week to explore further
- When you see about a million houses and castles in a two-week period, you become a bit unimpressed. Like - Bantry House became so tiny and small (and it was pretty darn large at the time) after you explore other places. And after about 20 Castles, Mansions, Palaces, you really start to not even care to see another one. But if someone gave me a castle - I'd go live in it....no complaints
- Sometimes cool looking places on the outside, have nothing to offer inside
- Smoking bans are one of the best things in the world!
- I cannot believe how many sightseeing tours exist. Even in small towns. What the???
- Seeing a Premiership Football game live is pretty awesome, and also darn right scary at the fanatism involved (and this coming from someone who is rather fanatical about a certain college team - GO BLUE)!!
- Driving on the other side of the road isn't all that difficult with practice. It is just the practice that was difficult for others.
- Look for deals. Best things in terms of experience or money were Stonehenge (the Stone Circle Access) and the Great British Heritage Pass. Some things you just don't find out in the guidebooks so research is best.
- Don't wait to pray for your own safety after you see a horrific accident that took the lives of 3 people!!
- I found it interesting that in most places in Ireland (even rather remote) the workers were all middle eastern yet Irish. While it is hard to understand the Irish in some places of Ireland...this was even more fun.
- Tour bus drivers must all take the same course in really horrific joke making.
- Trying to do a million things in one day, sometimes proves impossible.
- Even if a road exists on the map, sometimes you just cannot locate it in reality....
- 15 days may be a little too long to continually try to do a million and one things each day.
- When the sign says 'do not drink the water' - DO NOT DRINK THE WATER!!!!


DISNEY IS NEXT......not sure I will document that in the blog....what would it be 'today, we met Mickey and rode Dumbo'....(secretly of course, I will be having as much fun as the 4-10 year olds - I doubt the 1 year old will care much)!!!!