Wednesday Morning With Winnie

Wednesday Morning With Winnie

We met up at the church in the Bridge to drive in search of a senior center  in Clare Castle.  We easily found the town and then the center.

Translated..."The Bridge at Clare"

Inside we met the manager, Julie ...., (full name later) who more than welcomed us.  She allowed us to see the gathering area...tables set for tea which adjoined a large great room and what I think would be a dance area.  Off the table area was a computer room furnished with about 6 computers for those who chose to use them. I'm hoping to set up a connection with the Michigan Clare Castle folk.

Julie graciously offered us tea and scones and placed us next to Mary Isenberg, who we learned had returned to her roots from England. She's the former Mary Moroney of Castle Clare.

The actual Clare Castle as it looks today & a painting on the walls of the Day Care Centre.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarecastle

We drove a short distance to the ruins of Clare Abbey, which stands in the middle of a pasture, but which still serves as a burial place.  Winnie was especially interested in the skilled stonework placed in out of the way nooks and crannies.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clare_Abbey The link tells more of the Abbey's history.

12th century ruins being admired by a 21st century fab Irish woman

Dromoland Castle was our next stop, with a walk around the grounds and a peek at the interior.  Sumptuous and posh, no?  It is now a very high class tourist place surrounded by a beautiful golf course.

Wednesday evening Elaine, Peter and I began watching the lengthy DVD of Stephen Fry in America.  I recommend it.  It's fascinating for me to see an account of an Englishman who is fond of the U.S. and Americans.  I have always loved Stephen's acting, especially in Jeeves and Wooster,  Black Adder, and more recently Bones, but now appreciate him more.

Later, I'll have to sum up my hairy trip to Mallow by train on Thursday.  The train ride was soothing, but the walking was treacherous due to very high winds.  One story was reported of a pizza delivery fellow, while walking across an intersection, lost his box which landed and splattered pizza on a driver's windshield.  More later...