First off, the camera has barely been touched. I think I’ve taken three pictures, so don’t expect a lot of pictures in this post.
Our flights were tiring. First was British Air from Phoenix to London Heathrow. It was as pleasant as a flight almost ten hours long can be. Premium Economy on British Air is not as nice as on Virgin Atlantic, but there was plenty of leg room (which is my major concern). We landed 30 minutes late due entirely to having had to circle Heathrow four or five times. Busy airport. (It was unrelated to the mess at Gatwick.) At Heathrow we had to transfer from Terminal 3 on arrival to Terminal 5 for our onward flight to Dublin. Our baggage was checked through, but oddly we had to clear UK immigration even though our onward destination was in Ireland. We would not have had to clear if our next destination was, say, Oslo.
There was four hours between flights but clearing immigration took close to an hour. Anyway, we had purchased lounge access in Terminal 5 and enjoyed free wine and food while we waited. After the short haul to Dublin, our problems started. Immigration was a breeze – I used my Irish passport for the first time. Baggage claim was anything but a breeze. My bag arrived. Elaine’s did not. Yikes! Anyway, the BA baggage people checked. Her suitcase was still in London and would arrive on the midnight flight.
We picked up our rental car without any issues. It’s blue (like our car on the Oregon/Washington/Idaho trip this past fall. So, the car’s name is Gorm. Gorm is Irish for Blue. Fiona is our SatNav (GPS) voice. We proceeded the two miles or so to the Crowne Plaza our checked into the Bucati Suite themed after Rosso Ducati motorcyles). Too late for food, but time enough for beers and wine in the hotel pub. Amazingly we met a young couple from Australia (he was Irish) who we discovered were related to Fergus O’Flaherty, the publican and lead musician at O’Flaherty’s Pub in Dingle.
Click on the top of the picture in galleries to bring up a scrollable window with full size pictures – the gallery previews show just thumbnails of the pictures
The Ducati Suite 
Our Living Room 
The Ducati Bed 
Looking Out the Window
After a good night’s sleep we headed back to the airport to see if Elaine’s bag had arrived. After some minor problems connecting with the baggage people, I finally collected the bag, much to Elaine’s relief. Back to the hotel for breakfast in the club lounge and a quick change into newly arrived clothes, and then we were on the road to Dingle (a 4.5 hour drive).
On the drive we made two stops. First, a rest room and snack stop at Barack Obama Plaza in Moneygall. Second, an unexpected stop for my hour long nose bleed, an encore to my first ever nose bleed on the Monday before we left.
Finally we made it to Dingle, checked into our delightful Christmasly decorated apartment at Water’s Edge House. Then a shopping trip to SuperValu for groceries and a visit to the Dingle Pub for a short visit with our friend, publican Tom Geaney. Then it was back to Water’s Edge where Elaine cooked hamburgers with potatoes for a much needed and delicious dinner. Then bed! Back again tomorrow!
Thank goodness you arrived safely, and eventually Elaine got her bags. We were worried that you might have had serious problems landing at Heathrow due to the issues we heard about at Gatwick. What’s with the nose bleeds? Yikes.
What a unique room at the Crowne Plaza. A friend of ours has four or five Ducati motorcycles that he shows and races all over the country. Nice.
What a beautiful apartment at Water’s Edge House. And your own Christmas tree. Very nice after a long couple of days.
Safe travels for you both, as well as Gorm and Fiona! Nollaig Shona.
It certainly sounds like this time travelling was more trying than your past ones. You got to Dingle and all is right with the world. Merry Christmas you two! Love the tree.