Friday, July 31, 2015

Which way to Kinsale?



Friday (Day 5) of our Irish adventure was an off day from competing and training and we traveled to the picturesque coastal village of Kinsale, in County Cork. We has a wonderful walking history lesson and tour from a local historian.  Did you know that the sinking of the Lusitania, which triggered the US entry into World War I occurred just 11 miles off the coast of Kinsale?  Did you know that the characters from the children's tale of Robinson Caruso were based on folks from Kinsale?  How about this, William Penn, who gave his name to our State, lived in Kinsale with his parents!!!





After the history lesson and tour and a great lunch at the White Lady restaurant (named after a local ghost!  Ask us about it), we took a boat tour of Kinsale Bay.  A wee bit chilly but a fantastic outing on the bay.





A lot of shopping and walking and then we returned to Cork for the night.  We take off, literally, in the morning for a day in London.  We will tour the city and attend a London Darby between Crystal Palace and Fulham at Craven Cottage.  It will be a fantastic day.  I may not be able to post a blog tomorrow night but I will try.

Until next time.  All best.


Thursday, July 30, 2015

Two, two, two days in one!!

Good evening from County Cork.  I'm sorry that I didn't post last night.  By the time we returned from the match and dinner with our opponent, I was too tired to say anything that you would have enjoyed.

Today brought us through Waterford, one of Ireland's oldest cities where we toured the famous Waterford Crystal operation.  We had a wonderful tour and saw some amazing craftsmen at work.



After leaving Waterford, we traveled Blarney where we toured Blarney Castle, a medieval castle and home to the famous Blarney Stone.  Many of our team members will enjoy the benefits because there was a lot of kissing going on!!!!!  Kissing the Blarney Stone is supposed to ensure that you will forever have the gift of gab.  That will be great for the bus rides this year!!!



We departed Blarney and spent a wonderful two hours touring and shopping in the great city of Cork.  What a wonderful downtown area with great shops (shoppes) and friendly people.



Yesterday began with a wonderful tour of Kilkenny including Kilkenny Castle.  What terrific history of the grand Victorian era.  We had a great lunch in Kilkenny and then headed off to Wexford for our first match.




Now, about last nights match.  We competed against the Wexford Ladies, the 2014/15 Women's League Champion in all of Ireland.  A few members of the team are on different teams within the Irish National system and this team is heading to Poland next week to compete against the Polish National Champion and the National champs from Lithuania.  We held our own for a lot of the match but dont have the match fitness yet to keep up with a team that's at the end of their season.  We lost the match but gained admirers in Ireland.  Apparently, we play with "pluck".  That was meant to compliment our resolve and fight!  I'll take that.  I am working on figuring out the technology that will allow me to download photos from the game.  By the way, I forgot to mention that our center official for last nights match officiated at the Women's World Cup in Canada!

Good night for now.  More tomorrow.
All best



Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Dublin - What a wonderful city

Good evening.  It's the close of a very busy day 2 in Dublin.  We started off with a tremendous Irish Breakfast and then it was off to explore Dublin. What an amazing city.  So much history and beautiful architecture.

We started with Dublin Castle and the incredible gardens.  On the way to the Castle, we passed by the birthplace and statue of Oscar Wilde.  So much rich history in this city.




Then it was off to the Guinness factory for a lesson in the partnership between a large corporation and a city.  Dublin and Guiness have a win/win relationship with civic engagement and responsibility at the core.



Lunch was served at O'Neils Pub.  The food was terrific and there was a lot of it!!  O'Neils Pub is exactly what an Irish Pub should look like and feel like.  What an amazing experience.


Tonight's match was postponed to next Tuesday due to the participation of many of our opponents in recent Irish National team training.  We took advantage and had a great training session in advance of our match tomorrow in Kilkenny.

They say that if you don't like the weather in Ireland, wait five minutes because it will change. We experienced that tonight at training.  Sunny to rain to hail and back to sunny in 75 minutes.  Which do you think was about to happen as this picture was shot?



It's off to Kilkenny in the morning.  We will be in Waterford tomorrow as well which is one of the oldest cities in Ireland.

Good night for now.  All best..

Monday, July 27, 2015

Here are a few more pictures from Day 1 in Ireland.

The castle in Malahide.

Dublin from afar.


The coolest lighthouse I've ever seen aka my new retirement address!!!!!

JCWS at the castle in Malahide.


Sunrise at 35,000 feet





Seeing the sunrise while flying over the Atlantic is majestic and beautiful.  It's puts things in perspective.  I woke a bunch of players up so that we could enjoy the beginning of a new day in Ireland.  Once we landed, we sailed through Customs and Immigration and met our tour guide.

It was then on the bus for a quick tour of Dublin and a our first stop in Malahide.  It's a quaint fishing village with a really nice castle.  Then it was off to Howth for a look at Dublin from the coast.  What a gorgeous view.

I'll post a few pictures once I figure out how to post them in the blog. Have patience with me.  I'm a first-time blogger!!

We have a short break now (after lunch) and then we will meet in an hour or so for a quick run and a short training session.

Till later......and till I can post photos.
All best.

Saturday, July 25, 2015

Yikes!!  Well, we have arrived at the time where we can no longer delay the worst part of travel.......packing!!  We leave in the morning for JFK and then on to Dublin.  Time to figure out what the weather will be like.  Time to cram "10 pounds of "stuff" into an 8 pound bag" as my Dad used to say.

I have talked to most of the team and to say that we are excited is an understatement!

The first "selfie" will be added tomorrow, probably from the airport!

Stay tuned.

Thursday, July 23, 2015

We're "Leaving on a Jet Plane"

Just like John Denver said; We are "leaving on a jet plane." However, I do know when "we'll be back again."

JCWS takes its next international adventure beginning on Sunday as we head for the Emerald Isle. Fourteen student-athletes and many family members will embark on a terrific trip to Dublin, Kilkenny, and Cork with a quick trip to England for a London darby between Fullham and Crystal Palace. 

Please follow along as we post stories and pictures from our trip.