Bonnie's Ireland Adventure July 2005 Christina's mum, Bonnie, came to visit us from late June to early July. She's lots of fun. For a mother-in-law, I mean. While her concept of suitable beverages could be extended to include stout, no one else I know would have dreamed of bringing us so many goodies from America. The whole gang at St. Columba's Tower. Click here to see what lies behind the tower. Her arrival Bonnie's son-in-law has a no-nonsense approach to jet lag. After a day of traveling, I let her drop off some bags and then took her to Glasnevin cemetary and the National Botanic Gardens. Whilst she appreciated the beauty of the gardens, I think it is fair to say she appreciated the bed back home even more. Bonnie's next task was to see some local Dublin sights. I also tried to get her to drink a Guinness, but she wouldn't. She did take a few sips of cider at a nice pub (Irishly named O'Neill's) near Trinity College. A saint named Patrick baptized converts next to where Bonnie went to Evensong (St. Patrick's Cathedral). She also walked across Ha'penny Bridge, a well known bridge across the Liffey. Donegal Late in the evening we arrived at our holiday home in Ardara. The house was near the center of town and had views of the Atlantic Ocean (Loughros Beg Bay) and the surrounding countryside. Ard an Rátha (“height of the fort”, in Gaelic), is a small town that is a traditional weaving and knitwear center, surrounded by beaches. Ask Bonnie (next time you see her) about the enthusiastic locals at the Corner House. Slieve League Cliffs At 1972 feet, the Slieve League cliffs are the highest sea side cliffs in Europe, and we hiked up them. Nearly to the top. Combined with a beautiful beach in the afternoon, this was probably the best day of the whole trip. Fintragh beach (near Killybegs - don't you just love these names?) was a random stop (we saw a sign and thought, "Hey, why not?") and was everything you could want a beach to be. A London Detour In addition to all of the castles, towns, and beaches Bonnie went to, she took her oldest granddaughter to London. While there, they went to see the Lion King, the Tower of London, the changing of the guards, King's Cross Station and the Eye of London. The end of the trip or Niamh's Big Day With a special thanks to Bonnie for making her trip possible, we once again bid you adieu, -Peter, Dot, Lindy and Katie Niamh Previous ramblings...