They are here! And I know just how "middle-of-the-night" they felt as they rolled through the doors into the international arrivals hall, terminal 2.
As for me? I thought they were coming into terminal 1 - the same way I did from Cairo the afternoon before and there I sat - not seeing anyone.
When I finally checked the reader board and saw that they came in to terminal 2, I gathered my bags, and hoofed it outside, down a long side walk, across an intersection, into the building - just in time!
Yes - jet lag is a real thing. But we gathered, hugged and welcomed and we were off on our bus journey to Galway with our fabulous Craftours guide Holly, and magnificent bus driver and all around funny guy, Pat!
Take a nap everyone - you deserve it!
Galway is about 3 1/2 hours from Dublin, but we stopped about half way for a bite to eat, clean restrooms and a leg stretch.
Beautiful Galway by the sea!
The promenade was being greatly enjoyed yesterday as we rolled in - folks were out and about enjoying a sunny afternoon!
Temperatures were delightful in the high 60s. Folks were swimming!
As for us - we headed straight to the "Latin Quarter" for some great pedestrian wandering and shopping.
Fun shops and colorful buildings!
This is just the ticket!
I love street musicians!
Which way to go?
How about we just follow the crowds?
It feels like a party!
(Oh, this weather is awesome!)
I could stay here forever.
Grabbing a selfie with Evelyn and Irene!
We checked out a few shops - one with souvenirs and tee shirts, and then the WOOOLEN shop!!!
I'll be here for 2 groups so I didn't purchase - plus my wallet was in my backpack under the bus so I didn't have access to credit cards - just a few euros I had in my wallet.
But Irene and Evelyn both purchased gorgeous Aran sweaters - and I'm thinking that I may have to double back with group 2 to find if there is one I want to take home with me. Beautiful - truly!
Yes, it's kind of crowdy down here. LOL!
Let's go this way - there's less traffic.
Isn't this just so much fun?
What a difference between Galway and Cairo!
We decided to rest in a pub and soak up the ambiance.
Tile floor, anyone? YES!
I spy stars!
And if you are a cider lover as I am - this was outrageously good - Watermelon & Lime. over ICE! (We were advised not to have ice in Egypt - I really began to long for drinks with ice!)
One more "wedding cake" building on our walk back to where the bus was picking us up to get us to our hotel.
My travelers were dragging! They needed a rest-up before our welcome dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Everywhere I went in Egypt there were dogs and cats. So it seems only fitting that our hotel had a cat welcoming us as our bus began to unload. This one was sweet, fluffy and so friendly!
The gang's all here!
Dinner was delicious and I know everyone was headed to bed by 8pm. LOL! I hope they are much more refreshed this morning.
Today we'll start it off easy with breakfast at 8am, followed by my stitchery workshop kick of at 9am -
They can continue their stitcheries on the bus as we load up and head out to Kylemore Abbey. Such a beautiful spot - I remember visiting here the last time I was in Ireland and I can't wait to go back and walk the gardens and just enjoy the location with everyone.
I have a much better wifi connection and schedule while here in Galway. That may change as we move to our next location, but for the time being, I see posts coming more regularly than they have while in Egypt.
My feet won't be back home in Virginia until June 26th - so while I'm gone we are having a PDF pattern sale! 30% Off ALL PDF patterns through June 30th using coupon code DIGITAL30 at purchase!
Please note that code MUST be used at time of purchase to receive the discount. No code - no discount. And I'm not going to be around to issue refunds.
And because my Craftours groups will be working on some fun stitchery stuff while we travel - I've made the same projects available to EVERYONE!
Favorite Things!
Simple embroidery on Essex linen of a frisky cat peeking out through the flowers is surrounded by a border of pretty patchwork – a match made in Stitcher’s Heaven!
Quilt Size: 18’’ X 18’’
Celtic Stitchery!
Cairdeas (car-jiss) is Irish Gaelic for friendship, goodwill or alliance.
Originally designed for my travel group to Ireland – Now you, too can stitch up a favorite Celtic knot surrounded by sprightly patchwork in all of the green shades of the Emerald Isle!
Full color photos, graphics and optional construction methods for scrappy success!
Quilt Size: 26’’ X 26’’
Optional but helpful for both patterns: Bonnie K. Hunter's Essential Triangle Tool and either the Simple folded Corners ruler, or the Simple Folded Corners Mini for pieced border. Sulky Stick 'n Stitch to print the embroidery design. (May also simply tape to a window and trace if desired.)
Traditional rotary cutting methods and foundation paper-piecing options are given for those who don't have access to these rulers.
Both of these patterns are now available in both the Quiltville Store and the Quiltville Etsy Pattern Shop.
Your 30% discount will be applied after you use the code DIGITAL30. Again, code must be used for discount to happen.
And yes, the code applies to ALL PDF PATTERNS through the month of June!
View from my hotel room window -
It's going to be a great day!
I remember after being in the middle east for a year how green England and Ireland looked. It was almost if the cones and rods in my eyes could not fully absorb the colour it was so saturated.
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