reminiscing about my visit
to beautiful ireland
six years back, in july
how we found our way around the country
oh, we did a few turn-arounds here and there
as you can see above
but somehow we always ended up where we were going
eventually.
even with directions asked and kind answers given
regional accents, local advice, and lore
thrown in for good measure
it could be a challenge at best
‘”oh, just go over the hill for a bit, turn at the old barn, you’ll see a huge green field with hills, and some sheep, and then a pub, they don’t have the best sandwiches but stop in for a pint, say hi to seamus for me if you see him, he’s a good lad, he just had that one thing that wasn’t really his fault, and all is forgiven, and oh, don’t turn by the church, go past it, there’s no sign, but you’ll see a big rock where john’s shed used to be before it burnt down in that fire in ’79 when everything was so dry, and take a sharp turn there….” – and so on.
whether bumping along on a sheep path, sharing a two-way road with one lane, or driving half in a hedgerow
we found all the places we wanted to be
and discovered so many surprising and magical places along the way.
“going in the wrong direction, but making really good time.”
-cheri huber
Sometimes getting lost is the best part of the journey. Personally, I prefer to refer to being lost as “exploring yet unknown locations”.
LikeLiked by 4 people
true, and I love that
LikeLiked by 1 person
Couldn’t agree more 🙃
LikeLiked by 2 people
Que refrescante ese verdor.
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤
LikeLike
I love these directions.
LikeLike
aren’t they wonderful?
LikeLiked by 1 person
They are. Something like I’d say while giving directions. That’s why no no one asks me 😍
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hahahaha
LikeLiked by 1 person
🤣😛🤪
LikeLike
It’s a beautiful country….
LikeLiked by 1 person
it is so beautiful
LikeLike
I could so relate to the way directions were given. We don’t use street names or numbers here in Lebanon, even though every street has a name and a number. We just tend to use landmarks, shops, big posters on the streets as reference points 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
ah, I get that )
LikeLike
I’m so glad you got where you wanted to get, Beth!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Somehow we did )
LikeLike
Were you with me on my trips????? 🙂 Stunning country full of incredible people. If ever we were lost my husband would say, ‘just stop and wait, someone will stop to help us’. Without fail, that is what would happen.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sometimes the best kind of travel is by being lost.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely!
LikeLiked by 1 person
yes. me too
Sent from my iPad
>
LikeLiked by 1 person
You get it –
LikeLike
My favorite was in the South…”turn left where that old red barn used to be.”
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love these types of directions and getting lost. So many wonderful things can be (usually) discovered. Of course, if your spouse is not quite as open and willing as you are, there might be strife! Mick hated being lost. 🙄
LikeLiked by 2 people
Is always been my way of getting through the world, and I love this kind of directions too)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sadly, thanks to Waze and the like, so many people miss out on these. Plus the connections you make with the peeps along the road!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Right! Plus, when out in the middle of who knows where, the gps refuses to work
LikeLiked by 1 person
Truth!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love getting lost as long as we’re not pressed for time, p.ex. getting on a ferry etc. Had some of my best loved ‘unexpected side trips’ that way. Luckily, HH is on board…
LikeLiked by 2 people
True. Especially when it’s the last one!
LikeLiked by 2 people
excellent point –
LikeLiked by 1 person
it’s great to discover new things –
LikeLiked by 2 people
Even visiting Ireland from England feels ‘foreign’. Shame the weather is usually so awful there though. I have only been twice. Once to Belfast in the North (still part of Britain) and once to Limerick in the South. (The Republic) Americans are popular there, English people less so.
For obvious reasons. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The weather was wonderful when I was there, luckily 🍀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aah, this chimes with me…have found some fab places by getting a little lost! And on a car rally in a Ireland, ewe never did find the green gate….
LikeLiked by 1 person
🍀
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLike
“a huge green field with hills” is the way I imagine the entire country.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ext!
LikeLike
And so it is 🍀
LikeLiked by 1 person
indeed it is
LikeLiked by 1 person
Even when making good time in the wrong direction, I am usually where I need to be. Still I have never been to Ireland even though all four of my mother’s grandparents were born there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you need to go and find your way🍀
LikeLike
I love those directions. Even when someone is explaining directions to me, THAT’S what I hear. LOL Fun post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, same with me!
LikeLike
Sort of like this:
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Martha, that’s hilarious! Ta ❤️
LikeLiked by 2 people
))
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful, my sister is going on holiday to Ireland in 2 weeks time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
She’ll love it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this reflection! I haven’t taken to traveling yet too much since the pandemic, but when I do, I’ll be sure to “get lost”–in a good way 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s always an interesting experience-
LikeLiked by 1 person
We have plenty of roads like that around here….. a bit hair raising at moments, but far better than super freeways in my humble opinion! 😉
Getting ‘lost’ in a strange place has tended to be my way of learning the territory.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Same!
LikeLike
This is the point I get back to the car with my head spinning and my wife says, “Did you find out where we are?” 🤣 GPS, while imperfect, is usually pretty reliable.
LikeLiked by 1 person
hahahaha! gps is my friend, though when ‘way out’ somewhere, it’s not always present )
LikeLiked by 1 person
A true adventure, and beautiful landscapes and people too. Perfect.
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks, Jeff-
LikeLike
Fun!
LikeLiked by 1 person
oh, yes!
LikeLike
Delightful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks, Jennie –
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Beth!
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Oncoming traffic in middle of road.” That sounds like when someone gets on the interstates going the wrong way. Not ideal. Love that picture of the winding road that goes into a bit of a valley, continuing on and on. And indeed, sometimes getting lost takes you places you are glad you found.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That was not an unusual sign there. You kind of had one or both cars move to the side so one of you could pass first. Yes, I agree about the good in getting lost
LikeLiked by 1 person
Same in rural England where we lived. You learn quickly not to have fear (and you don’t mind scratches on your car either) 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
right, just move over into the hedgerow a bit and cross your fingers )
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve learned to love getting lost at least once a day while traveling. A little scary but so educational. People are mostly just wonderful as your directions from a local show. I would love to get to Ireland. That has to be so much fun in so many ways. I think the Germans are more succinct. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m lost at least once a day as well, in the normal course of things. I’ve learned to adapt and most people are quite willing to help when asked. you would love Ireland for so many reasons and the people are a huge part of it. I’m guessing the germans may be more on point.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love all of this, agree with everything and nod to all comments 🍀🤩
LikeLiked by 1 person
glad you’re on board, Kiki –
LikeLiked by 1 person
We visited Ireland in July! We used a GPS — complete game changer. Pix to come. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
yay! we couldn’t get it work in some of the more remote places, but I’m glad for you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We had trouble using it, too. Often it would take us to a restaurant that wasn’t there. But we’d take a few turns and then there it would be.
LikeLiked by 1 person
irish magic!
LikeLiked by 1 person
When we were tired, it unerringly took us home to our cottage, in the lonely green fields.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love Ireland. Will be back there soon. Thanks for making me smile.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s such a magical and charming place
LikeLike
I put up my first Ireland post tonight. But now I’ve stayed up too late. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
looking forward to it
LikeLiked by 1 person