Winter is Coming--Better Get Your Geek On

By Kerry

For those of you not in the know, much of the HBO show "Game of Thrones" is filmed in Northern Ireland, at Titanic Studios (located adjacent to Harland and Wolff shipyard, where Titanic was built and launched).  The rest is either in Iceland (bits of Winterfell and the North) or Croatia (King's Landing).

Of course, as we're big fans both of the books and the TV series, a visit to some of the famous scenes in the film was too enticing to pass up.  So when we drove up the M1 from our house for a weekend in the North, we began with a hike in the Tollymore Forest, where Jon Snow and his siblings discovered direwolf pups...

Then, we spent the afternoon at Castle Ward, also known as Winterfell Castle!  I spent an hour looking for the courtyard where most of the filming was done, but could only find one tower.  Apparently, (as you can see from the superimposed photo below) there is only one actual tower in the courtyard.  The second (and a number of turrets and parapets) were magically added by the wizards in post production.  No wonder they were hard to find!

The Ward house probably deserves its own article, as full of life and history as it was.  I would point out a few things quickly, however.  First, in the 1600s the lord and lady could not agree on the style of home they wanted to build.  So like bickering siblings, they drew a line down the middle and he got his half built in Classic style, while her half (lengthwise) was architecturally and decoratively Gothic.  No, seriously, there's a hallway down the center of the house and all rooms on the left are done in one architectural style, all rooms to the right in another...with--I kid you not--bookshelves that open into secret passages between and a secret room where the lord could disappear from his lady wife for a brief respite.  

One of their descendents was quite a fan of decorating with taxidermy (I'll let you investigate that particular Victorian social phenomenon on your own time...)

Finally, I wanted to point out the outstanding plaster work done by Irish craftsmen back in the day.  For one thing, the Lady Ward wanted a boudoir in the Gothic style, and the builders obliged with the below bit of magnificence (the experience of standing in the room has been described as a bit like being beneath a giant cow).

However, final decorations of the house were late (and overbudget)...  So at last the master admonished the plasterers and told them they had 48 hours to finish, or he wouldn't be paying them for any of their work.  Being naturally creative by trade and disposition, and true Irishmen to boot, they obliged the lord and finished an impossible job on time.  Only in the 1950s was it finally discovered that some of their later, hurried plastering was, well, a bit more realistic than the lord had intended.  You see, the only way they could figure out to get the job done by the deadline was to dip real objects in plaster and nail them to the wall.  Hence, an impossibly lifelike violin (among other inspirations).

After a good night's sleep, we decided to continue along the Game of Thrones trail, as we sailed west to Pyke and the Iron Islands.

Cakebreads' visit to Ballintoy Harbour

Looked a bit different with Hollywood in town!

Then, off down the Kingsroad (apparently Arya, Hot Pie, and Gendry were really being carted off toward the Bushmills Distillery, where is where we went, too!)

 Finally, those of you who are fans may vividly recall a discovery of white walkers north of the Wall...just add artificial snow!

Magical Forest and Split Personality Castle

Written by:  Abby Cakebread

So I bet you're all DYING to know what we did last weekend that is shrouded in mystery. Well, good luck getting it from me. YOU'LL NEVER TAKE ME ALIVE, COPPERS!!! HAHAHHHAhAHAA! 

Anyway, on Friday night we packed up for a night and two days. Saturday morning we headed out to Northern Ireland, to see Tullymore Forest. The ride was about two and a half hours, so when we got there it was like 10:00.

It was a nice day, with the sun out, no clouds, and relatively warm. We hiked around for a good 3 hours. I, of course, did not anticipate the long hours of hiking and brought my (you guessed it) Converse.

Not my running shoes. Not the ones that have some cushioning. 

Anyway, after hiking around, we headed over to lunch at Castle Ward.

Before Ward, though, and after lunch, we took an hour long hike near where the castle is located. After, it was Castle Ward! Castle Ward is a huge estate, and the “castle” is really a mansion. But an awesome mansion! Here's the story: the rich couple are like, we need a house, but they couldn't agree on the design.

The woman loved Gothic style, but couldn't stand Classical. The man loved Classical

but couldn't stand Gothic. So, as a solution, they split the house in half. One side is Classical, the other Gothic. The tour lasted an hour and was very cool.  We were there for another few hours, and then off to dinner. 

The first place we tried to eat at was holding a wedding. So we scoured for a restaurant, and found one! The nice people there let us have a reserved table, and we ate (relatively) quickly. There was a T.V. playing a Doctor Who ad and I was like “yes, this is the place I belong. These are my people.” But the ad ended and played a bug documentary type thing. All I know is that there was bugs and I wasn't turning around if you paid me. Well, if it was like a dollar I wouldn't, but I'd totally go for 10 dollars! The screen I was facing was playing “The Chase,” and I have no idea what the rules are, but these people talked for a bit and I think they answer questions to get a score (the sound was off), and then they answer more trivia questions. If you double your score, you get the harder questions, if you stay, medium, and if you divide it, easy. The old lady won like $47,000. But then the show goes haywire, like this guy comes out and then they answer more trivia questions and there's a red arrow involved, and if the red arrow reaches your score it's game over? I don't know. I'd rather see Doctor Who. At least I can follow that. After watching it twice. Still. 

Anyway, after fish and chips, we went to the hotel Dad and Mom got,

only to find a baby bed--a crib!--instead of the cot we ordered. The people were really cool, like they took the bed and put in a cot. They were awesome. I ended up with the bed, and Colleen the cot. The shower was AWESOME. It had WATER PRESSURE!!!!!!!!!! And a fruity, citrus-y smell to the fancy shampoo and it was lovely. 

The next day we set out, ate breakfast

, and hopped back in the car, heading to the Carrickarede Rope Bridge near Ballintoy. It's very famous, one kilometer from the reception desk, 20 meters across and 30 meters above water.

It links the mainland to Carrickarede Island. It's a gorgeous view,

on that small island, but there are no fences. They don't care if you fall. One less tourist.

The ground is very spongy, and it's a slightly sharp uphill when you're at the edge. There is a structure that claims to be built in sometime, BCE. Mom doesn't believe it, because it's perfectly flat. I think it could be, but just reshaped over time and human work. 

We left Carrickarede for the Bushmills Distillery, the oldest distillarey in the world. It was founded in 1608, and had it's 400 year anniversary in 2008. After the tour, we got to taste the whiskey. Colleen downed the taste cup like a regular, and I was hesitant, knowing full well that beer itself tastes like Sasquatch sweat and hate. I tried it, and it was the nastiest thing I have ever drunk. It was worse than beer. And the taste did not come out of my mouth until I drank half of my Coke. Nasty. How do you drink that without batting an eye? Ew. 

We ate lunch, and went to Belfast for the Titanic Experience.

We got there on time, at 4:00. It was pretty cool, as Belfast is the place that the Titanic and it's siblings were built. We were there until they closed, and headed home. We got home around 9:00, after having Burger King for dinner. 


This is Abby Cakebread, signing off.

An Hour In The Bar

An Hour In The Bar

Written by:  Amy Cakebread from The Admirals Pub, Drogheda 09/22/2014

Abigail is at her crochet class tonight at a shop called The Crafty Fox. 

Her class runs from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm.  So, that leaves me in Drogheda (about 13 minutes from home) at loose ends on a Monday night.  Last week, I sat in the class with her and finished up my blog entry.  While I love how good she is at the textile crafts, watching people learn how to crochet is not as interesting as it sounds.  I feel uncomfortable, antsy, and itchy to leave when I'm around any of that art stuff I’ve never been able to understand.  So, tonight, I decided to park the car, let her go in by herself and find something to do with myself while I wait.  I got prime parking in front of the shop, so I parked the car and go looking for the nearest place that I can update the blog from.  Drogheda, like all the towns here, close up around 5:30 pm, so about the only place open are the pubs and bars.  I go to the nearest pub called The Admiral's Bar.  This is awesome on so many levels.

Let me set the stage for you so you can experience this with me.  I opened the door to the bar and was almost struck by a dart.  The dartboard is not even a foot away from the front door of this place.  Tiny flying missiles are not the most friendly way to welcome patrons, but I quickly walk through the dart game to the next room.  Before I can go a couple of steps, I hear one of the players exclaim drunkenly that he “doesn’t have anything against the blacks and won’t hold truck with anyone who does.”  Good to know I chose a pub that’s racially sensitive.

I hurry through the door to next room.  There’s only seven people in the room and a bunch of open tables.  I quickly choose one as I stick out like a sore thumb in this place.  I’m the only female and I’m much taller than everyone in here.  That alone will puts me on edge, but I’m also the youngest person in the bar by far.  And, lest you all forget, the case of my laptop is purple.  The total package screams that I’m obviously from out of town. I open my laptop case and begin to type as a way of avoiding the social awkwardness of a stranger walking in a neighborhood pub on a Monday night. 

The room’s yeasty smell is a testament to hundred’s of years of ale, beer, whiskey and smoking it's seen. You can no longer smoke inside the pubs and bars in Ireland, but you can’t take the smell out of the place because it has penetrated every surface of this place.  Also, any smokers just do their business directly in front of the door so the smell just wafts in despite the smoking ban.  The televisions are on a true crime show completely in Gaelic.  No one is really watching them. I bet if there were some sporting event on, this place would be packed, loud and everyone would be glued to the 4 TV's in the room.  The people here love their sports.

You can tell that everyone here knows one another. If they’re not exactly friends, they are very friendly.  They all know each others names and the publican knows what they’re drinking before they order.  There’s a familiarity to the scene that’s cozy.  The patrons call the bartender Little Bobby even though Bobby’s not little or young.

When I feel like the level of conversation has returned and I’ve faded into the background a little, I order a tea (yeah, I know all of you wanted me to order a beer, but I’m driving, so no beer for me). As I wait for my tea, I eavesdrop on two men’s conversation about what they would do if they had won the 86 million euro lottery that was won over the weekend.  I have heard this same conversation in the States many times.  But, these gentlemen have had a their evening beers and their accent has deepened so everything they say seems much more quaint here.  They are debating whether or not they would go to work if they won that much money.  I can really only understand 1 out of every 5 words they speak—and I’m good at hearing through the accents here.  The one word I can always hear is “fouckin”.  I don’t know how the Irish do it, but that word just doesn’t sound as harsh as it would if it were spoken in an American accent. It’s cute coming out of their mouths.  I’ve noticed that this word is way more common here than at home.  It is said right out there in the open, every street, every town we’ve been in.  It’s lighthearted and almost fun.  But, I’ve also noticed that it is common to hear this word from the working and lower classes, but never from the upper class.

I get drawn into the conversation when one of the men asks me if  would work if I had won.  I respond that of course I’d work.  But, that 86 million would be a job of its own requiring management and oversight.  For whatever reason, the bar patrons think that’s what I said was “wise”.  I’m proclaimed “brilliant” and then talk moves on to something else. Or, at least I think it moves on as they are talking so fast that I’m no longer able to understand much of what they say. 

But, a little while later, I’m put on the spot again when one of them asks how I came to be here of an evening.  I respond that I’m waiting for my daughter’s crocheting class to be over.  Of course, this is not really what they want to know—they want to know how an American such as me came to be in this part of the world.  After my brief explanation, they all exclaim how much they wished they’d done something as brave as that when they had the chance.

It’s time for me to go meet Abby now that her class is over.  That hour went by so fast sitting in the company of strangers who happen to be in The Admiral’s Bar on a Monday night. 

My Birthday

My Birthday 9/18/14

Written By:  Amy Cakebread after a giant slice of cake.

Yes, 39 years ago, I was born.  Thanks Mom!  Thanks Dad! 

As the last of 5, I broke the mold.  Once I came out, Mom and Dad decided they had finally made the perfect one.  They didn’t need any more (I love how I can write this and Tina and Jim can’t do anything about it. Nahnahnahnahnah.  I’m the favorite.  I’m number 1!). 

Anyway, today is the day that is supposed to be my birthday.  I have tried to weasel out of it by claiming that since I’m not home, it doesn’t count.  Therefore, I will be 38 one more year.  But, Ker and the girls and all the family at home did such a great job commemorating the day, that I think I just have to turn 39 now.

Abby started off the day by coming in and snuggling.  I love to snuggle with my peeps any chance I get.  As they get older, those chances are few and far between.  So, it was a special way to wake up today.  It put me in an excellent mood.  I decided that today I was not going to count points.  Not even one. My phone ding-ed with a Happy Birthday text from Lisa McFarlane.  Then, I got a Facebook notice that Barbara and Sonya wished me a Happy Birthday.  I even “like”-ed both comments. 

After a while, we decided to get dressed and go to breakfast at this great coffee shop Ker discovered in Drogheda.  On our way to Esquires Coffee we encountered a very angry Leprechaun.  But, that's a story for another time.

Esquires Coffee is owned by a guy who was originally from New York but has been here for much of his life.  His shop has great WiFi, terrific atmosphere, talented baristas, a wonderful menu and the best scones I have ever had.  So, it was a win for breakfast today. 

I had a mocha and a raisin scone with cream and strawberry jam.   I heard from Jim at the Esquires.  He was on his way to work and called to wish me a Happy Bday.  I hope he had a good day at work.

After breakfast we went to my favorite bakery/café. 

I picked up my cake there.  I’ve been thinking about picking up a cake since I walked into the shop a couple of weeks ago.  I’ve been in there many times with the girls.  Watching them pick up donuts, pieces of pie, fresh baked bread, muffins, and scones. 

While I didn’t.  So, today, I took my time and picked up a small cake.  They wrapped it up in a box and tied it with string.  We took this along with us when we went to a couple of stores looking for odds and ends.  I heard from Crystal in between stores.

After the bakery and shopping we went to the library where the girls and I perused the offerings for a while.  Ker was off buying running shorts so he can join me at the gym.  I took 10 books—7 of them about Irish history.  I feel so woefully ignorant about all the happenings and significant people in this part of the world.  I’m excited because 2 of the books are picture books.  I didn’t know they made them for adults (okay, the G-rated kind)!  The girls grabbed some books they are excited about. I love going to the library and find things to be excited about.

After Ker met us at the library, we got in the car and drove home.  Once here, the girls took up their schooling and Ker got right to work.  I cleaned up a bit then sat down in front of the washing machine to see if I could spot why it was not spinning yesterday.  Of course, the darn thing was on its best behavior today.  Good.  I’m tired of trying to fix appliances.  As I was monitoring the washing machine, I started reading about the Easter Rising Rebellion.  Interesting stuff.  After the first load, I got to talk to Tina while she finished getting ready to go to work.  

After a bit of lunch, I helped the girls with their schooling and read for a while.  Then I went to HERE (make sure to hover over the events to read the descriptions) to find out what fun we could get into tomorrow.  Colleen liked the fencing, chocolate-ing, and the Bram Stoker event.  Abby will look tomorrow.  I want to see some dancing, music, and singing.  Ker likes the Boxty restaurant.  I think tomorrow is going to be a blast.  We are even going early to look at a couple of cars.  I hope they turn out to be “the one”. 

Abby finished with school first today so she accompanied me to the grocery store to pick up the makings for hamburgers.  That sounded good for dinner.  We ended up eating cheeseburgers, chips (fries) and crisps (chips) with Coke (coke).  Crystal and I kept texting during the grocery experience.  At dinner, the girls gave me their presents.

 Abby made me some pot holders and Colleen gave me some shells she had collected.  Ker got me the perfect card.

After dinner, it was back to work/school for them.  I pursued the internet, wrote the Irish Cream blog entry and read my new book on my Kindle app. 

Once everyone was done, we hauled out the cake.  Ker and the girls sang me the birthday song (which didn't last too long) and I blew out one of the scented candles we bought at Ikea.  I made my birthday wish.  I’m not going to tell you what is was, but I’m hoping it comes true.

I ate a big piece of the cake and enjoyed every second of it. 

We cleaned up then called Barbara.  It was very nice to hear from her.  She’s been to Alabama and just got back to her home Monday.  I spoke with Devan briefly and the next time we talk, he will be happily ensconced in his new dorm at PSU.   I can’t wait to hear every detail.  So, store them up, Dev.

Now that leaves getting ready for bed.  That’s when I got a text and an email from Mom.  She sent me some pictures of the minion hats she is making for people to buy as gifts for there loved ones.  If you want a minion hat, you should get in touch with her.

All in all, so much love sent my way from all around the world and here.  How could I not have a Happy Birthday? 

Love to all, Goodnight!

Irish Cream--Duh.

Irish Cream Coffee Creamer

Written by:  Amy 9/18/2014 from Bettystown home

I’ve been asked to share this story with all and sundry.  I’m not sure why.  It’s not my best moment.

So, I love International Delight Irish Cream coffee creamer.  Taking lessons from Tina who claims to have gotten this from the great and mighty Crystal, I call it my “ReasonToGetUpInTheMorning”.  Or, more simply my “Reason”.  Not liking the bitterness of coffee, I use this ultra sweet creamer to make the coffee more drinkable.   I have always wanted to be a sophisticated morning beverage drinker, but never more than when Ker took up the coffee habit.  But, I can only do this on Saturday mornings.  It’s a treat, not a staple of my life. I drink tea as a staple.  I drink cups and cups of tea.  No sugar, no cream.  Just dirty water.  Ker’s the coffee drinker and he has initiated Colleen.  Now Colleen straddles both worlds.  Abby, and occasionally Devan, swing my way with the tea drinking. 

A couple of things I know about International Delight Irish Cream Coffee Creamer.  First, it is not cream.  Cream comes from cows. But, if you read the ingredients list of the creamer, there's a lot of words I can't pronounce and none of them are found in a pasture.  Second, I know it is supposed to taste like Bailey's Irish Cream. It doesn't.  I'm not sure what flavor they're going after, I just know I like it.  Third, I know it is extremely high in sugar.  But, it's only a once a week thing and I make sure to balance it with healthier choices through out the rest of the day (think spin class, or salad no dressing).  Fourth, I know that the Brits and Irish favor tea over coffee.  Fifth, I am really not used to caffeine in any quantity, so drinking coffee makes me crazy.  Finally, I think they discontinued this flavor (it probably causes some horrible disease) cause I have a really hard time finding it in stores at home.  

To Ker’s and my surprise, people over here do drink coffee.  It’s not as common as it is at home.  People here prefer Irish tea to coffee (think tea with caffeine injections).  But, we have had some AMAZING mocha’s and cappuccinos in Drogheda (our nearest city).  There’s even a blend sold as “American style” coffee here in the grocery store  that I picked up.  We found a coffee maker at the boot sale.  So, we are all set for our Saturday treat.  Hold up!  There’s one thing missing for my coffee treat—Irish Cream Coffee Creamer.

Now, I did not expect to get International Delight over here.  I know there is nothing International about that delight—it’s purely an American thing.  However, I did think there would be some form of coffee creamer to be found here.  For the last two weeks, I looked in every store we have encountered for some kind of coffee creamer.  No luck.  I have even gone so far as to ask store clerks if they have such a thing as coffee creamer.  They answer with a helpful yes and direct me to the milk aisle.  In the milk aisle, there’s only milk.  No sign of Hazelnut, French Vanilla, or Irish coffee creamer.  Not even the dried kind.  At one of the stores, I even went so far as to speak very slowly and use hand gestures.  I got the same response—go to the milk aisle.

I was sitting in the living room when it finally struck me, I’m in IRELAND and the milk aisle contains CREAM.  It’s right next to the milk and has the word CREAM in big bold letters.  Finally putting that together, I figured out that right next to the milk is IRISH CREAM!  And, the best part is, YOU PUT IT IN YOUR COFFEE OR TEA.  Let me tell you how smart I felt…