Rescue at Brownshill Dolmen

The 5,000 year old Brownshill Portal Tomb, 

Kernanstown, Co.Carlow 

Poor Granny has a 150 tonne capstone on her head!

Grandpa assists Ollie to lift what is reputed to 

be Europe's largest capstone off Granny's head.

After the lift the Druid's Apprentice checks the energy,

to make sure all is as it should be.

The next stage is to do a rhythmic step dance

to seal the energy force.

On his final inspection of the portal tomb Ollie

discovers a Wooly Caterpillar.

The rescuers and the rescued are refreshed with ice creams

at the Chocolate Garden in Rathwood, Co. Wicklow.

Ollie takes Granny on an assault course to improve

her dexterity.

A SWEET EXCURSION

The other day our visitors from England treated Lady H and myself to a tour through three

counties to one of our favourite destinations The Chocolate Garden in county Wicklow 

We each felt very undecided in making a choice from the menu board, thus our selection seemed to take a good deal of time. Lady H chose for herself an Ice Cream Sundae, I went for a slice of chocolate Fudge Cake accompanied by a vanilla ice cream and the other two had slices of Carrot Cake and fresh cream. All with a mug of Hot Chocolate each.

Following on from a surfeit of chocolate Lady H and I became quite giddy, high would be another description anyway, we spotted this bijou cottage and wondered whether to down size.

As you can see it comes complete with all of the necessary domestic equipment and we would very much appreciate your thoughts ?

http://aheronsview.blogspot.ie/2014/05/chocolate-ice-cream.html

Stone Rings & Dry Sailors

The other day we went on a days' tour to some ancient sites.

About 3 miles outside of Tullow, Co.Carlow on the N81, we made our first stop to view the stone that ultimately led to the death of Niall of the Nine Hostages, according to Irish mythology. For it was here that he chained Eochaid, son of Énnae Cennsalach,a king of Leinster. However, all did not bode well as Eochaid broke free and killed his captors - the nine warriors who Niall had sent to kill him. Some years later Eochaid executed further retribution by killing Niall in Scotland with an arrow.

More recently this ancient stone was used in the healing of children suffering from rickets by passing them through the hole.

photo by courtesy of Voices of the Dawn

http://www.voicesfromthedawn.com/aghade-holed-stone/

Our second stop was to introduce our friends to The Chocolate Garden ref:http://aheronsview.blogspot.ie/2014/05/chocolate-ice-cream.html  
You can see from the photo what effect a surfeit of chocolate cake did to these two lads. Mrs H and I are of course immune from such antics, due to making regular visits to such establishments.

The High and Dry Sailors

The highlight of our tour and the jewel in the crown of the area was found about ten minutes drive away from the Chocolate Garden. An ancient site which the locals refer to as The Ring of the Rath or more formally Rathgall, sign-posted as Rath Geal - it matters not for this was the seat of The Kings of Leinster.

An ariel shot of Rathgall

Of all of the old places that I have visited this one has the most amazingly powerful earth energies flowing around and through the hill fort. We were all very aware of what we were experiencing as walked towards the rath. We didn't need dowsing rods or pendulums for each of us could sense the vibrant energies flowing through our bodies.

Up the pole & happy...

Entrance to the inner ring

Rathgall is a multivate hill fort, with four concentric stone walls encompassing an area of 18 acres (7.5 hectares) and encircled by mountains. The inner stone wall is roughly 1.3 metres high and the ring it encloses measures fifteen metres in diameter.

We explored the immediate area around the rath and found evidence of other stones, possible sites and a small copse.

Three 'wise' men

An inner trench

The outer perimeter wall

A blackthorn copse the home of rabbits and faeries

I do encourage all residents and visitors to Ireland to experience both of these ancient sites for am sure you will be delighted.

Parking to both places is limited to about three cars so you won't be crowded out by sightseers, plus access is an easy walk.

CHOCOLATE & ICE CREAM

Whenever we have visitors we like to take them to places that have a special interest to them, as well as to ourselves. Living where we do in central Ireland we are very nearly spoilt for choice, in almost any direction there are interesting places to explore.So on a sunny day last week we decided to make a visit to county Carlow and this time to a location that we ourselves had never been. 

Our destination this time was to The Chocolate Garden of Ireland.
A great surprise awaited us as we stepped into their premises for an Aladdin's Cave of mouth watering confectionary blinded our eyes.The warm welcome from the proprietor plus her immediate offer to sample slender leaves made from delicious dark, milk and white chocolate warmed our hearts. 
After a relaxing coffee in the garden and a delicious organic ice cream each, we finally left with a selection of boxes and bags of chocolate. We shall return to The Chocolate Garden of Ireland very soon!

the Aladdin's Cave of goodies

this tree mural caught my eye

A great display of award winning chocolates

A close up of beautiful chocolates & by tasting the Salted Caramel

it exquisitely excited my taste buds - Yum !

A gift sized for every pocket

The proprietors Jim and Mary Healy in discussion with Mrs H

Tipperary  Organic Ice Cream.

It is a recently added product now owned and made on the premises. So delicious that I cannot describe to you how wonderful it is - you will have to buy your own.

A sheltered sitting area for parents and grandparents to drink coffee, eat ice cream, talk   dwell on what chocolates they are going to buy or even watch the children at play.

I think Ollie thought that this was for him, but no a latte for his father! 

Every coffee was served with a chocolate

A convenient and safe play area for the children.

The Chocolate Garden of Ireland at Rath, Tullow, Co. Carlow, Ireland

Phone: +353 (0)59 648 1999

Fax: 059 9151968

Email:  info@chocolategarden.ie

http://www.chocolategarden.ie

http://www.tipperaryorganic.ie

BURREN BUSINESS

If I have a vice then it is chocolate. Not just any sort, for my taste buds demand quality. So whenever I hear of a new chocolatier then I just have to go and taste their wares. 

This time I secured the assistance of our family who are holidaying here for a few days to take Mrs H and myself to visit Hazel Mountain Chocolates; who are situated quite literally in the western foothills of the Burren about 2.5km east of Béal an Chloga [Bell Harbour]. There is a sign at the road junction at the foot of the hill on that says 2km - it isn't it's further!

Hazel Mountain Chocolates

My three and a half year old grandson said when he stepped into this cottage 

" It is like being in a dream"

He was right for the interior is so very much unlike that of an old Irish cottage, that it may well have come from a storybook.

Display and Sales Venue

I was quite disappointed to find that unlike other chocolatiers in Ireland that there were no free samples to be had, for it is customary that a sample of each chocolate is cut into small slices and offered as tempters to prospective buyers. My other complaint is that the price shown on the handwritten labels is misleading for the number  Euro 1 is a looped l !

In fairness our visit was on a weekday before the summer season has really got into full swing and there was also work going on to some of the outside buildings.

The Coffee Counter

The serving assistant working the machine - I thought she was one of twins or even triplets (but no) for where ever we went a woman like her appeared to be working.

Mrs H enjoys a pipe (unlit of course!)

Bright decorated rooms, with quaint fripperies displayed in every room.

A mouth watering table.

Delicious slices of home baked Apple pie, served with tart berry fruits and cream which we all thoroughly enjoyed.

In sunshine we ate our recently purchased chocs.

L to R Ollie, Mrs H, myself and Mark

The view of Bell  Harbour 

Links : http://www.hazelmountainchocolates.com

http://www.burrenwalks.com

A Return to the Kingdom

Last weekend we took a trip down to Cahersiveen in County Kerry to stay for a few days with a friend and while she worked and worked, we took photos and holidayed.

Cahersiveen 

looking seawards from Mount Beentee

Cahersiveen looking inland

Behind the blue facade lies little France in Ireland. For here we breakfasted on delicious almond and raisin croissants served with such wonderful coffee; that I half believed that I was back in La France again!

On mentioning delicious food stuffs, we also visited an independent chocolatier trading as SKELLIGS. Mrs H said that it is the best chocolate she has ever tasted and I know that she is correct. So please visit http://www.skelligschocolate.com

A beach between Waterville & Cahersiveen

A shoreline seascape typical of this area.

We cannot ignore visiting ancient wells

St Finnian's Well

Back to Mount Beentee a well named

The Well of the Fair Women

or in As Gaeilge

Tobar na mBan Fionn

Here the heavenly scents are shared!

You might like to visit Mrs H's blog and read her words on the same subject,
because I'm not feeling very wordy today :)
http://theeverlivingones.blogspot.ie

Variety the Spice of Life

Down to the Wood

I declare that it is now officially summer because we have had no rain for two days and as you can see my barber, Khalid, has me trimmed down to the wood.

The other evening after a very hectic and busy day I took a remedy to relax and chill myself out, it worked almost instantaneously; so much so that I asked Mrs H for a glass of chilled white wine and a Leonidas single dark chocolate, a CERISE EMBALLÉE which is :

A spicy marriage of cherry liquor and dark bitter chocolate. A whole morello cherry and cream liquor hides beneath a dark chocolate shell. Wrapped in dark red, this is a delectable mix of crunchiness and sweetness, enhanced by a cherry liquor taste.

The nearest shop is only 50kms away so it would not have taken her too long on her pushbike… 

- but no !

Instead of satisfying my dream I was brought a large mug of our own chilled spring water followed by a big bowl of semolina with a good dollop of strawberry jam, suffice to say it did the trick.

Homemade Tarka Dhal

This evening the good woman has surpassed her self by cooking for us Tarka Dhal accompanied by Naan Bread, it was absolutely deliciously spicy and hot, shortly it shall be followed by fresh peaches.

Tonights Dinner

A JOINT BIRTHDAY

My friend Ita and I share the same birthday and often have a joint celebration, I should stress that there are several years of difference between us, however that day is the 9th of January.

The niner's at play

OUR JOINT PARTY

Started at 3pm when our friends arrived some of whom where musicians and we partied away for 12 and half hours before falling into bed. It was a brilliant time of song music and dance; the nominated photographer slipped into the joviality and the consequence is that very few pics were taken.

Musicians in session

Charles on the harmonica, Seamus on the accordion

and Colm Mac Con Iommaire on the fiddle

Sean-nós dance is an older style of traditional 

solo Irish dance and is a casual dance form. 

A SECOND PARTY

Took place on the 12th January at 3pm for those who were unable to make the one on the 9th, this one was minus musicians and it focused mainly around a Storyteller who arrived and sat in the kitchen entertaining guests by the telling his tales for most of the night, similar to the first party this one went on till gone 4 in the morning!

I have gloriously celebrated my 70th birthday and am looking forward now to my 150th !

If I had any doubts this card sure told me

The grand collection of cards

A special gift from Lucy

representing Earth, Air, Fire & Water

her web site

http://crelegra.com

Ita and I wish to thank everyone who attended both parties, because we know that some of you travelled many miles from all over the isle of Ireland to be with us; our very special thanks and appreciation go to Mrs H whose organising ability astounded us ! 

A BIT OF BACKGROUND (about me)

A wonderful event took place in Birmingham City Children’s Hospital on January 9th 1943 at approximately 0520, the timing, place and date were unique for it marked the umpteenth rebirth of Me. Little did I realise at the time that a warm welcome heralded my arrival, for evidently several resounding blasts were heard in the locality.

These were caused by the Birmingham Blitz of heavy bombing by the then enemy (9 August 1940 - 23 April 1943). Overall, about 2,000 tons of bombs were dropped on Birmingham making it the fourth most heavily bombed city in the United Kingdom. Is it any wonder then that sound of a propeller driven plane flying at night has always awakened me?

Happier events though were around the corner when hostilities ceased and chocolate, biscuits and other goodies became available and better still, we departed from ‘Brum’ in 1946 to soft and sleepy Somerset.