Tuesday the 11th

Tuesday began with our normal, leisurely morning.  Once we were all ready, we started off, with several things on our agenda - a stop at the Kildare Outlet Center, where we shopped for shoes at the Clark's outlet - very cool!  I was the only one able to find shoes I wanted in my size, so I got them, and I love them!  I'd never had Clark's shoes before but they are super, super comfortable.

After the outlet center, we visited with the folks at the Open Arms Church in Newbridge, County Kildare.  Mark and Alisha have been good friends with the pastor, assistant pastor and office staff since they moved to Ireland, and the church has been very supportive of Mark and Alisha's efforts in Brannockstown.  Lee and I got the grand tour, while Mark and Alisha caught up with the office staff, and showed off Alisha's i-Pad, which caused quite a stir!

After visiting Open Arms, we went to the Newbridge Silverware factory.  They had amazing things in there, and we had a great time looking around.  After that, we headed back home to hang the laundry out and to pick up the chocolate chip cookies that Mark had made that morning.  Then we went to visit Jim and Iris in Kiltegan, County Wicklow, who go to the Brannocksto church, as they had invited us out for tea.

Jim and Iris are delightful - they are both in their 80's, and extremely sharp and active.  While we were there, we got a great surprise - Jim took us over to Hume Wood castle!  This is a privately owned castle, which was built in the 1800's, originally as a hunting lodge.  It was purchased by a Mrs. Coleman, in quite a run-down state, and most of the castle has been completely refurbished.  Jim is friends with the caretaker, and we were SO fortunate to get a personal tour of the castle. 

It's just beautiful, and the present owner has down considerable work to convert the castle to luxurious hotel accommodations.  Unfortunately, she wasn't able to get the necessary permits to operate a hotel, so it's only used occasionally for family and friends - such a shame!

It was wonderful to have a private tour, and if they ever get permission to operate it as a hotel, I'd LOVE to stay there!

After our castle visit, we went back to Jim and Iris' for a wonderful afternoon tea which was like a late lunch.  We also got to meet two of their grandchildren, as they conveniently live right next door!  Then it was home, to let Hishey cat in, have a glass of wine and relax!

Another wonderful day!

This was the lighting in one of the outlet shops - we thought it was very interesting.

Hume Wood Castle!

Here we are, outside of the main entrance.  You can see the turret and the part of the castle that hasn't been restored at the far end of the picture.

More of the unrestored part

This is the ballrooom

The dining room - the table is very, very, very long!

One of the living rooms

One of the original flush toilets!  The handle to the right is how it's flushed

One of the many hallways, this one with stained glass windows

This was the view outside of one of the bedrooms

Some of the grounds - off to the left, just out of site, is a lake.

The walled garden