Well it all turned out well again…no snafus of any kind in a) getting to Toronto Pearson airport 4.75 hours ahead of my flight (phew that was a bit close for me 😉) b) navigating through Dublin airport…on to the JJ Kavanagh bus “Limerick” and meeting John in Roscrea.
The only issue of note is a traditional airport problem “how in the blazes does this luggage tag work?” I see Step 1…Step 2 ie pull and stick and then Step 3 keep this section. Seems simple BUT IT IS NOT. The peel step is the one that always gets me…why don’t they have a dotted Red line where you peel? Anyway I always fall back to my standard approach “look pathetic and ask?”
However this time I actually have paid attention and I think 🤔 I may remember how 😊
John had suggested that I might be able to hop onto an earlier bus at the airport. The signage in the airport is fantastic (Toronto come on down and have a look 👀) and I absolutely zipped through Customs (2 people ahead of me). Even though I had great instructions from John I still needed a wee bit of help to get to zone 16. Incredibly I arrived just as the earlier Limerick bus was wheeling in…asked the bus driver whether I could hop on earlier “sure no problem” and I was off.
At this stage I was pretty tired 😴 and concerned I might well sleep all the way to Limerick…that would not be good. So asked the bus driver if he would be so kind as to call out the stop “sure”…set a timer on my phone…settled in and promptly did not sleep a wink. Too many sheep, cows and everything being green to look at!
I then thought maybe JJ Kavanagh has an app and sure enough they have a great app. Here is a screen shot “Live results” which shows in real time where the bus is opposite one’s destination.
I love System Architects…thank you!
I have been extremely well received by Carmel and John at their beautiful home.
 |
| John’s workshop…hobby is home renovations! |
John spent 30 years in the Police force in various roles…we talked about our friend Patricia whom we met on the Camino Primitivo in 2022. Patricia disappeared in 2023 while walking the Kumano Kodo to obtain her Dual Pilgrim designation. Despite a very extensive search…only a few belongings showed up in a river bed a year later…no trace of Patricia has ever been found. Very sad 😔
Many theories…one of which is foul play…as John said first look to the last known people associated with the victims and then assess “Means, Motive, Opportunity” with criminal intent. So I am getting some “on the walk” police detective training.
Carmel is retiring in 10 days or so after 46 years at the Police Academy! Incredible…I think Carmel said she started when she was 10…a line I have used many times! I wish Carmel well in retirement.
We exchanged small gifts from Canada 🇨🇦 An Inukshuk carving and maple syrup and the perfect book from Ireland 🇮🇪
Meeting both Carmel and John again was a joy…absolutely amazing how quickly and easily we reconnected. I was extremely fortunate to be fed a delicious salmon meal and the Orchard Thieves cider is superb!
 |
| Declan (son), Carmel, John, moi |
Before leaving Templemore we walked around a very nice town park…
 |
| Insect houses! |
 |
| Ireland 🇮🇪 has so many interesting old ruins |
 |
| Dates have long since faded away |
Train journey to Killarney flew by…once again Irish Rail has an app with live time updates on where you are. Something John was unaware of so this is a VERY big deal for me as I have contributed Bus & Rail live tracking to John’s vast knowledge base. In turn John will educate me on proper map and compass reading in the days ahead.
Yes I know full well that I am getting the better of the deal 😉
In Killarney we toddled around…beautiful town. John…a self confessed shopping addict (NOT 😂) bought some rain pants. We both agreed our respective shopping styles were “surgical strike ventures”
Came across a statue for Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, a Kerry born priest who saved thousands of Italian Jews and Allied troops and airmen from the Nazis during WW2. The writeup estimates 6,500 were saved by this priest while at the Vatican. An incredible story!
Supper was at a traditional Irish pub called Murphy’s bar I had Irish stew and cider…John a pub specialty burgers. I could not decide which so flipped a 2 Euro coin…superb meal…I could not lose either way the coin flip resulted.
Rain ☔️ forecast is holding up to essentially no/minor rain for at least the ENTIRE 8 day walk. Is this really possible? A former work colleague and friend (ok we may not have been exactly at the same job level however now that we are both retired it all evens out 😊) flew into Dublin just before me.
His comment essentially was “have flown 75+ times to Dublin and I have NEVER seen a forecast like this…I don’t believe it”. We shall see 🤞🏽
That’s a wrap for the day!!John has suggested starting at a different point Day 1 as we will be walking the same short scheduled section the last day…sounds good! In looking at the maps an alternative end of day route appeals…TBD. This type of option discussion is perfect and fun !
Both of us are itching to get this long walk started!
No comments:
Post a Comment