Category Archives: Travel

Not Meant to Leave, Part One

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We were due to leave Ireland after our first glorious three weeks in the country.  We had reservations on Stena’s ferry out of Dun Laoghaire into Holyhead Wales at some unspeakable hour before daybreak.  Arranging with our bed and breakfast hostess for a taxi at around 4:30 AM, we set our travel alarm and fell into bed.  At 5:00 o’clock, we were awakened to frantic knocking on our door, and a voice whispering, “Your taxi is out there; he’s been waiting.”  We desperately jumped out of bed, threw our belongings into suitcases, and gave up any hope of showers or other waking-up mechanisms.  Our taxi driver gave us the appropriate amount of  a hard time tempered with a lot of laughter, and by the time we reached the ferry, we were awake enough to enjoy the sea and the journey.  But in the back of my mind, I thought that maybe we just should have stayed in Ireland.  🙂  This theme continued on our second trip to Ireland, but that is a story for tomorrow….

Quick poll…how do you feel about the end of a vacation/holiday?

Slainte, Lisa

Ring Forts

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Thousands of ring forts can be found all over Ireland.  This particular one, Leacanabuaile, is located in Cahersiveen and is in great shape.  “Leacanabuaile is one of only a few Irish Forts to have been excavated and those excavations revealed both Bronze and Iron Age objects suggesting that there was a farming community here from an early date.” (http://www.visitcahersiveen.ie/places_to_visit_detail.php?item=169&full=y)

Protection for people and farm animals in early days.  Looking at them now, it’s hard to imagine living inside their stone walls on the open grassy mounds.  But at the time, I’m sure it was a blessed protection from the elements and other harmful things.  The thing that always strikes me, though, is that the same God who protects and cares for us is the same God that protected and cared for them.  And history rolls on…

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” – Psalm 91:1-2

Slainte, Lisa

As Far As the Eye Can See

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We drove up, up, up.  The road was so steep and narrow that I did not dare to take my eyes from the road even for a second to admire the view.  No side rails, no place to pull over, just up.  But at the top….beauty as far as the eye could see.  The most mundane and average looked amazing, serene and inspiring viewed from above.

When I am on top of a hill or mountain, I often like to imagine how God views all of His creation.  He sees it all; He has the ultimate perspective and view.  He sees the ultimate end and how it all works out in the end.  He sees us as beautiful and amazing, His creations.  He loves us and desires the best for us.  And He knows that the journey is worth the view at the end.

Slainte, Lisa

Don’t Forget Your Wellies

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Not many “what to pack” guides mention the wellies, or wellingtons, or mudboots, or whatever you choose to call them.  But we wore them almost everyday in Ireland, and turned what could have been a “look at those shoes” moment into “so what, it’s just your mudboots” kind of thing.

This is Amy’s first day exploring in the fields of County Kerry, and the lovely green field is also filled with deep oozing mud holes and many reminders of the previous cow visitors.  My older two children had already made it to the castle ruin in record time, leaving Amy & I in their dust, as we carefully tried to pick our way onto any relatively dry grass.  After we had sunk into about our fourth deep mud pit, we gave up, and were thankful for those wellies.

Enjoy your one-of-a-kind day!  Slainte, Lisa

Waiting for the Wind

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Facing the wind near Tir na Nog

You don’t have to wait very long in Ireland to feel the wind.  Yes, there are calm still days.  But the weather in Ireland changes rapidly, and these changes are usually brought about by the wind.  My family and I were attempting to walk Rossbeigh beach and reach the fabled land of Tir Na nOg,  According to local legend, Oisin and Niamh rode their white horse into the sea to reach the land of eternal youth on this strip of wide beautiful sand.  The wind was blowing so fiercely on this particular day that we could not push our car doors open when we arrived.  We thought about giving up the adventure and going home to our nice warm cottage, but we were here, and there was the beach.  So we pushed again and made it out of the car.  Amy, my youngest, held on to my hand tightly as the wind buffeted us.  Bundled up in hats and coats, we leaned into the wind and tried to walk.  We made it about five or ten minutes, and not very far, when we finally surrendered our quest for Tir Na nOg.  Turning around, the wind pushed us VERY quickly back to the car.  It was comical, but showed us all the power of the wind.

Wind brings change, wind can be clearing or terrifying, sometimes both.  After being in the wind, shelter seems more precious.  Wind can propel you quicker or push against you harder, depending on whether you fight it or not.  I wrote a song a long time ago about God’s Wind, the wind of His Spirit that carries me, that sustains me.

“Please hear my prayer, Lord; let my cry come to Thee.  Do not hide Thy face from  me; I need You.  I lie awake nights, like a lonely bird in flight waiting for the wind that leads him home.”  (“Waiting for the Wind”, c 1996 Lisa Lyons, based on Psalm 102)

Have a blessed day.  Slainte, Lisa