Travelogue

During my travels, I usually collect three or four personal accounts which I then recount in emails to friends. And since they find them very entertaining, I reckoned you might too. A travelogue is born.

From: Ilse

To: Harold F.

Date: 9 October 2007

Subject: The dwarfs did it

Well I didn't see any, but yes maybe it was the leprechauns. Let's hope they fix car audio systems too.

I spent two days scouting the southeast Ireland, during which the differences with Holland became apparent. Sunday I circled around Wexford, Kilkenny and Tipperary. Monday I set out to Wicklow county, touring several sights and scenic drives. During those first two days I saw the sights of the Cashel, medieval Kilkenny and the monastic site of Glendalough. What struck me most were the sense of community that prevailed among people in the streets, parks and churches. Even in the lengthy radio discussions on social topics and reading of obituaries, this involvement reverberated. It seemed to go hand in hand with a refreshing easygoingness, geniality in traffic.

Yesterday night I got my car back. I am very excited to continue my trip. I have revised my plans and cancelled prior reservations, to fit the remaining time and budget. While the car is not really worth repairing in view of forthcoming sale, the additional cost of parts, labour, accomodations and car rental totalling about 800 euros is a major setback. Financially as well as spiritually. I plan to save some money by camping and descending on hostels where campgrounds have already closed for the season. By design I will also be saving in the food department, since I found that eating in a pub, against all marveling stories, is actually pretty expensive, even if you are an 'early bird'.

This morning much to my dismay, a test drive revealed additional defects. With the cluch now in working order, my spedometer persistently informed me I was doing zilch miles per hour, the car's interior gave off an awful indefinable stench and would so for days to come, and my much appreciated car audio system had tragically departed the land of the living. Mr. Goldsmith had blown more than one fuse.

John once again rushed to aid and directed me to Mr. Goldsmith’s workshop. What I encountered there was not pretty, but did explain the terrible smell. And, as later turned out, how dirt could inactivate the spedometer. I sensed I was unwelcome by the dead silence I was greeted with. Although it was in perfect condition at the time I left my car in his care, Mr. G. now stubbornly maintained he had not touched the radio/cd player. Typical instance of dwarfs' doings. It took the experts about an hour to fix the spedometer and determine the radio problem was insoluble to them. After I finally got a small refund, I went – hoping for the best – on my way.

It took me over six hours and twohundred miles to get to the Beara peninsula. I am currently camping at Michael and Mary Moriarty’s Creveen Lodge Caravan & Camping Park. Already I am well supplied with good advice and travel tips from a Belgium couple. They are regulars here and the only other campers. I am calling it a night, get back to you soon.

Ilse

Postscipt: Back in Holland it turned out mr. G. also had forgotten to tighten the nuts of the engine block.