Kissing the Blarney Stone

The forbidding Castle Blarney was the property of the McCarthy clan. It has a poison garden, the famous Blarney Stone which grants eloquence to those who kiss it, and cozies on its trees(?)

The castle had a trap door for the unwelcome, known as an oubliette. 

Rather rude!;)

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Irish Coffee

Carlo was selected to demonstrate how easy it is to make Irish Coffee!

Then he partook. And then he got insomnia. Oh well!

We enjoyed Waterford, and our gorgeous hotel. Visit the Hotel Granville. 

 It would be nice if they would add elevators though!

Some of the many breakfast offerings included Black and White pudding made with pig's blood. 

In Ireland, it is best not to ask ingredients! The porridge was laced with Irish Whiskey. Who is complaining? Helps you forget about the pig's blood. 

Cardiff, Wales

It is a sleepy city of a quarter million. Cardiff is a charmer. It boasts some old Victorian enclosed markets with lovely iron and glass skylit ceilings. 

All to the peril of pedestrians, the streets and the sidewalks are all the same. 

The Welsh language is surely a mystery. Celtic in nature, it contains fewer consonants than we Americans are accustomed to. 

Cardiff is the main city here, but Fishguard is the town where one catches the large ferry to Rosslare. It is a three and a half hour ferry ride. 

Does Your Coke Have a Name?

Does your Coke have a name? In London, Cardiff, Newport, Cokes have names. I especially like Dude and Gorgeous. 

Your imaginary friend, Patsie

Castle Cardiff

Castle Cardiff has stunning decor and was the highlight of Wales for us. Above is the keep. 

Cardiff, Wales

It is a sleepy city of a quarter million. Cardiff is a charmer. It boasts some old Victorian enclosed markets with lovely iron and glass skylit ceilings. 

All to the peril of pedestrians, the streets and the sidewalks are shared. 

The Welsh language is surely a mystery. Celtic in nature, it contains fewer consonants than we Americans are accustomed to. 

Cardiff is the main city here, but Fishguard is the town where one catches the large ferry to Rosslare, Ireland.  It is a three and a half hour ferry ride. There must have been ten thousand small children leaving Wales for Ireland on the ferry. It was a tad noisy. As we set out on the Irish Channel, the wind was ferocious, but the seas were tame enough. No motion sickness nor children flying through the air!

Stonehenge: Weirdos Are Welcome

The famous Neolithic mystery known as Stonehenge attracts all kinds: families, tourists, etc. And not to mention the occasional Druid and Manly Cat Lady with Pussy Cat tail, purple cloak and hat, et all. I believe he was a man. I also believe he very much wants to be a magical purple lady cat. 

Help. 

Patsie,

Reporting from Stonehenge

Salamander Resort and Spa

Salamander in Middleburg

The Main Lobby at Salamander in soothing shades of soft blue

Fountain in the Salamander Spa

The long term project of owner Sheila Johnson, Salamander Resort and Spa is open for business in central Middleburg. It is a sprawling property complete with stables and a zip line. 

Ms. Johnson is the former half owner of BET, Black Entertainment Television, prior to its sale to Viacom. 

Cafe B, in New Orleans

The Brennan family owns a slew of dining establishments in New Orlenas, and one that I recently sampled is Cafe B in Old Metairie.

I had a delicious marinated crab finger appetizer, just bursting with flavor.

You Imagnary foodie friend,

Patsie

The Orange Peel

Here is what I painted last week: an unfurling orange. 8" x 10", oil, on linen panel. 

Lafayette Cemetary Number One

New Orleans is famous for its cities of the dead. By virtue of being above ground and therefore, above the water table, they are fairly immune to floods. 

Lafayette Cemetary Number one is on Washington Street, across from the famous food emporium, Commanders Palace. 

Now You See It, Now You Don't

Beignets and Cafe au Lait at Morning Call in City Park do a quick disappearing act!