Something Quilty and Yet Another Trip

I make no apologies for having been on another little jaunt as I know people do love to travel vicariously (hope I've spelt that right).  The middle of April saw us taking the charabanc to the beautiful County Kerry in Ireland.   Our local coach company just happened to be running a trip to Killarney at the very time that we had been talking about wanting to visit some friends of ours who live beyond Tralee.  My days of driving long distances are coming to an end so if I can find someone else to do the driving I'm all for it.  Plus, we get a holiday into the bargain.  Result!  

 The two photos above are taken from Aghadoe Heights above Killarney and give an outstanding panorama of the beautiful Killarney Lakes.  We were so lucky with the weather and Paul, our driver, took full advantage to show us these views before he took us to our hotel.

On the free day Stewart and I took a local shuttle bus to the far side of these lakes and explored Muckross House and Abbey but more of that in a minute.

Our friends live out on Kerry Head and we hadn't seen them for nearly 10 years during which time my friend's husband had had a nasty stroke so it was lovely to see both of them after such a long time.  Peter has a nap in the afternoons so we were able to relax for a while in June's lovely conservatory while June plied me with wine.  As you can see I had a constant little companion, Ant, who took a shine to us.  I had wanted to take June a gift as it had been so long since we'd seen her and her life is taken up with looking after Peter so I made her a happy quilt, at least, the colours look happy.

A charm pack in my stash meant it went together quickly and I put a fleece back on it so it would be snuggly.  All the sashing and binding was done on the machine too so it was an easy make.  I'm happy to say June was delighted :-)  

Our time with June was all too short but it was lovely to have seen her and Peter at least.  We must try and get across there again before too long.

On the following day we caught a local Shuttle Bus and took ourselves off to Muckross House.   The shuttle bus is new since we were last in Killarney but it is a great innovation (I'm not sure whether the Jaunting Cars would agree) and suited our purposes for the day.  We had been on a jaunting car ride previously and I didn't feel up to it again as I was feeling a bit below par.  The bus was excellent though.  The driver kept us entertained and informed and was very relaxed as only the Irish can be about the itinerary and schedule.  He did make sure that we knew where to be and when.

Muckross House is a jewel in the crown of Killarney.  It sits in an idyllic position overlooking Muckross Lake and looked resplendent in the Spring sunshine.  (I sound like a travelogue!).
First stop was the new cafe complex for some refreshments.

How's that for a view?!

 It was quite a windy day and the cherry tree was shedding its petals like confetti.

 This beautiful old tree was colossal, the photos don't do it justice and its shapes were fascinating.

We had a lovely wander through the gardens and then ventured down to the lake shore.  The grounds were really busy but you wouldn't think it from the photos.

 This beautiful rhododendron bloom came floating by.

The water was making some beautiful patterns to inspire me.

Our next hop on the Shuttle Bus took us to neighbouring Muckross Abbey which proved to be a magical place.   You first see it as you walk down from the road,

The graveyard is still in use and has some interesting memorials and tombs.

Susan Lenz would enjoy a visit here.

The abbey itself is partially ruined but there is free access to the site, which is beautiful.

 This ancient yew tree grows up through the middle of the cloisters.  Yew trees are said to ward off evil and it must be doing its job as, on the day we visited, we saw no sign of 'the brown man' who is reported to haunt the site.

Apparently some have reported a spooky atmosphere but we felt only peace and calm throughout our visit to this beautiful building. 

Finally, (thank god, you're probably saying) it was time to travel back across Ireland via Adare and another abbey.

You're probably ready for a cup of tea now so I'll say tarrah for now.  If I can manage the technology I'm going to start a page for an online course I'm doing at Academy of Quilting with Elizabeth Barton on Working in a Series.  Watch this space!
 

Progress and texture

I am still working hard on my long quiltie but I've had a "duh" moment and am now wondering if our American friends might look in at my blog so I'm going to delay showing you anymore until I've finished it (next week). Sorry! On the technical front I have found that I could fix the photos to the background with bondaweb without the iron affecting the printed images. Phew! I just need to find out now whether I need to/can seal the printed images to help prevent fading. I have machine stitched the images down after bondawebbing but I have decided against free-machining and am doing some hand sewing.

~

On our last day in Killarney, before we met our friends for lunch, my DH and I took a wander in Killarney Park. The Park forms part of the gardens of Killarney House and extends along the edge of Lough Leane, one of the three Killarney Lakes. Needless to say I was on the lookout for texture and colour and I wasn't disappointed (especially as the wind was blowing and it was pretty chilly).

I can see possibilities with the texture and patterns in this sawn tree trunk.

The blue sky seen through the branches of this tree belies the chill in the day.

I should have photographed the whole tree but this hole was, I think, in a buttress coming out from the base of the tree. There are some nice textures in the wood and I like the glimpse of a world beyond through the hole.

This slate wheel is part of a monument on the roadside to people lost while working as Missionaries overseas. The monument is planted with some exotic plants including Tree ferns which give a hint of the countries where the missionaries worked.

This wonderfully woolly tree trunk, covered in lichen, shows just how clean, and wet, the atmosphere is in Killarney.



This young tree in Killarney park drew me like a magnet with its unusual patterning on the bark. I think most likely it has come from protective coverings which were left on too long when the tree was getting established and have left their imprint in the bark.

I suppose I'm cheating a bit with this almost repeated photograph but it is a different part of the trunk shown above. I do love the shapes of the sawn off smaller branches which are seen nestled into the dead vines and other vegetation around the trunk.

This is the full view of the Missionaries Garden along the roadside in Killarney. As you can see it looks like a little oasis.

This sculpture, one of many dispersed around Sneem, is by Vivienne Roche and commemorates Cearbhall o Dalagh, President of Ireland from 1974 - 1976, whose funeral was held in Sneem.

These 3 views are in the Killarney National Park from the viewpoint known as Ladies' View. As with many things the name is said to come from a visit by Queen Victoria and her Ladies-in-Waiting. That reminds me, I believe the Ring of Kerry only became known by that name after the Prince of Wales (Queen Victoria's son) first made the circular tour. (Correct me if I'm wrong!)