County Wicklow, Ireland

I was able to visit the County Wicklow this past Saturday and immediately realized that the majestic beauty of Ireland has absolutely no bounds. There I found the ancient remains of the Monastery of Glendalough. The granite buildings that remain date back from the 10 and 12 Centuries. Ardmore Studios is also located in County Wicklow and many famous movies were filmed here in these wondrous mountains and splendid green valleys. Here is a list of Ardmore Productions filmed in and around County Wicklow.

• This Other Eden (1958)^[4]
• Shake Hands with the Devil (1959)
• Sword of Sherwood Forest (1960)
• The Mark (1961)
• The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (1965)^[1]
• The Blue Max (1966)^[1]
• The Viking Queen (1967)
• The Lion in Winter (1968)^[1]
• Images (1972)
• Zardoz (1974)
• The Last Remake of Beau Geste (1977)
• Excalibur (1981)
• Angel (1982)
• My Left Foot (1989)
• Fools of Fortune (1990)
• The Commitments (1991)
• Rock-a-Doodle (1991)
• In the Name of the Father (1993)
• Braveheart (1995)
• Space Truckers (1996)
• The Tailor of Panama (2001)
• Evelyn (2002)
• King Arthur (2004)
• Breakfast on Pluto (2005)
• Becoming Jane (2007)
• The Tudors (TV series) (2006 - 2010)
• The Last Furlong (2011)

Forms of Transport in Dublin

You have to love the forms of transportation in Dublin. There are a ton of Harleys in Ireland, more then I would have thought. I have seen mostly Sporters which makes sense given the small roads. Splitting lanes is tough on a bigger ride. I brought my riding gear with me but renting a cycle in Ireland is a small fortune. Unfortunately my funds are limited and work never rests but one never knows what magic will occur. Heck I am just fortunate to have an opportunity to live in Ireland for a few months. Attached are a few more cool forms of Transports that I came across.

Cockles and Mussels

Cockles and Mussels, or Molly Malone

Comic Song, Written and Composed by James Yorkston

In Dublin's Fair City
Where the girls are so pretty
I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone
As she wheel'd her wheel barrow
Through streets broad and narrow
Crying cockles and mussels alive, alive o!

Chorus
Alive, alive o!, alive, alive o!
Crying cockles and mussels alive, alive o!

She was a fishmonger
But sure 'twas no wonder
For so were her father and mother before
And they each wheel'd their barrow
Through streets broad and narrow
Crying cockles and mussels alive, alive o!

Chorus

She died of a fever
And no one could save her
And that was the end of sweet Molly Malone
But her ghost wheels her barrow
Through streets broad and narrow
Crying cockles and mussels alive, alive o!

Chorus

A Tribute on the River Liffey

While taking a walk along the River Liffey in the Ireland, I was fortunate enough to find a tribute to all those who survived, suffered and died during the Great Famine which took place in Ireland and throughout Europe in 1845-1852. The Great Famine or more commonly known as Potato Blight was caused by a fungus that ravaged potato crops throughout Europe. In Ireland, a third of the population was entirely dependent on the potato for food. The lack of the potato crop caused horrific suffering, starvation and death. Ireland’s population fell by more than 20 percent during the feminine. Estimates of a million Irish persons died by disease and mass starvation and another million people emigrated from Ireland out of pure desperation. The fungus that caused the disease of the potato still exists today. Fortunately in 1882 scientists discovered a cure for Phytophthora Infestans. At the time of the famine there was nothing that farmers could do to save their crop.

Man with No Mustard Verses Machine

So I am in Ireland on business for a few months and need to wash my clothing. While leaving the apartment to get to the Laundromat my neighbor tells me that there is a Washing Machine near my kitchen sink. A washing machine in the kitchen camouflaged by cabinets, what a god sent idea. So I rushed upstairs to the apartment and there it was the coolest thing these star struck eyes have ever witnessed. Yes a washer/Dryer combo hidden underneath a kitchen counter. I have been here for 3 days and never knew the thing existed. I actually had to read the directions and accidently put dish detergent in the first load but the thing works like a dream. The machines greatness does not end. Its stealth like as well. The wonder of nature doesn’t even let out a decibel even on tumble dry.

I think there is a mustard shortage in Dublin because I went to four different grocery stores looking for some zesty mustard for my ham sandwiches and came up short. Someone call 911 because this guy is smack out of mustard. I will pray to the mustard fairy tonight in hope that some will show up under my pillow.

I Am Back From Boston

Wow I cannot believe I have been gone since May. It has been too long.
So the 2010 Harley Super Glide (FXD) has been great. The power flows through the machine while the adrenaline runs rabid in my blood. It feels raw and rowdy as I drive down the road but in a good way. It’s like I am controlling a beast that is hell bent on chaos. Unfortunately for the beast, it can only do my bidding. Some of you may think that I am taking my description to far but please note the only other bike that I have ever ridden is a 750 Honda Shadow. I do admit that I lack a bit of variety to compare the cycle. The only issue I have with the FXD has been the handle bars. At first I thought it was a perfect fit but after being on the bike for an hour I get a pain in my upper back. This has more to do with my physical being rather than the cycle. Over the winter I am putting on some Ape Hangers that will bring the bars to where I want them.
So I wanted to upload a few photos from my recent trip to Boston, MA. I can only say that Boston Rocks. Second to New Orleans, Boston is my favorite American City. When you visit, just park the bike and walk around for 4 hours. It’s such a small city that in that time you can reach the best historic sites that New England has to offer. From the North Church to Old Ironside, history is truly at your footstep. Follow the Freedom Trail so you don’t miss a thing.

One Mountain Climbed, Now Bring on the Marathon

Last Sunday I did something I have not done in 15 years, I climbed a mountain. Well it’s not such a mammoth feat for some but for me climbing a mountain was a goal that needed to be topped. For two days after the hike I hobbled around like a paraplegic panda but the pain of the moment was suppressed by the fiery emotions brought upon me by the sense of the accomplishment.

On my hike I found my alter ego lost in a world of realism, stress, guilt and burdens. Yes it’s the same part of me that I often find when I’m on my motorcycle riding free down a curvaceous back canyon road. I realized that this is the part of my soul that one only finds when the weight of the world is lifted, letting a man become one with the moment. The pain of the trek up that trail made me forget of all things worldly and the higher I got, the more enlightened I felt. It was a good day.

So I dropped 35 pounds, my blood pressure and Cholesterol has been normalized and I have decided to run a marathon. It’s time to make this happen. Why challenge myself to run a marathon? My logic may not make sense to many of you. I have always wanted to Hike the Appalachian Trail but got side tracked with life, obesity and other obligations. My Hike up the No Name Mountain outside of Los Angeles proved to me that I need to do more than just lose some weight; I need to get back into fighting shape. I figure if I can run a marathon then I will be ready to begin my Hike of the entire Appellation Trail. I have no time line to Hike the AT but I have begun my training to run my first marathon. Who knows the AT could be sooner than latter but one can only focus on the immediate goal in front of them.

So here is to finding that lost inner child. Let your own journey take you back home to nirvana.