NDBT

I forgot a couple things – I saw a very cute dog that was a cross between a pom and a jack russel – so it didn’t have the bizarre face of a pom, but it had a cute tail and fur. The queen was very good – I think the costar who plays Blair is being overlooked for awards – he was really good. As was Helen Mirren (duh). And we got the 300 trailer, which seems to be the only trailer in Ireland (not to mention wildly inappropriate for the crowd going to see the Queen). Aside from a couple over the top lines, I think Im pretty excited for it. It looks very cool… (update: AICN gives thumbs up to 300, and to both Joshua and Snow Angels. So along with the Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford and the Fountain, I’ve got quite few must see movies for 2007. Aww – Lost is starting back up tonight! What will happen with Skate? Will Michael ever come back? Will they ever stop killing THREATENED POLAR BEARS?!?!)

I got lunch at a cute pub called the Laurels today. Not brilliant food, but friendly. Whenever the rain lets up I’ll take some photos of the city.

Hmm… there are no buses running to Glengarriff (unless I feel like swinging by Cork, no thank you). Bugger. Maybe I’ll just stay here. Kristl comes back on Friday and I can call for advice then… Ah well – I’m going to go dry out and read my book.

Awwww…. From EW:
Harry Potter is going to die! Says author J.K. Rowling: “I’m mourning.” Now, relax: It’s not what you think. There’s still no word on what will become of our favorite wiz kid in his series’ final installment, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, which goes on sale July 21. But his creator did announce on her website today that she has finally finished writing, thus ending what the AP described as “one of the great phenomena of literary history.”

Corrinne Bailey Rae (radio)

Today’s entry is an animal one. Early this morning, I noticed the large heron-like bird flying overhead again, and this time it was surrounded by much smaller seagulls, and I thought Aha! Albatross! So, I’ll have to see if any species of albatross come down here. I saw another pheasant on the bus to killarney. Killarney is very cute, and I am in yet another awesome hostel, Neptunes (awesome like a hot dog? why yes.) I didn’t even need to go to the tourist office, because the guy here was so helpful – told me how to get a discount on train tix to Dublin, and the best walk to take in Killarney NP. It is freezing here, i’d like to point out – they’re predicting snow and it is raining off and on. But I went out to the national park anyways. Now, you’d think the park would be a few km from town – but no the main street dead ends right into it. And it is gorgeous! I ended up beeing a bit cold and wet, but there weren’t many people around, and LOTS of birds. I saw a bullfinch, which is a little bird with a peachy/orangy breast, some little brown and white birds that hang out on the undersides of branches (eating insects I think), some wooddoves (I couldn’t get a photo – they were very skittish), a hooded crow (hooded raven? something like that), some swans, ducks, and cormorants out on the lake, and the usual assortment of lbbs (little brown birds). I saw Ross’ castle and cottage, as well (Ross – why didn’t you tell me?)

AND THEN – As I am walking back, an immense deer bursts out of the bushes about 5 yards in front of me!! I had given up on seeing any mammals on this trip aside from sheep. I’d like to point out that I checked the Irish wildlife guidebook in the town bookstore (new E. George, oh and I read the hound of the baskervilles – v. suspenseful!, and I’m reading to the lighthouse and kidnapped. And thinking of swapping my last E. george for Jane eyre. But I digress). Right – the guidebook says “an impressive animal” not tomention IR’s largest land mammal. This deer was BIG! (much bigger than whitetailed or mule deer, maybe a bit smaller than tule elk?) And much closer than was particularly safe, but I didn’t walk up to it. It ran across the path and I sort of gaped at it and only got my photo out in time to get a picture of its but disappearing into the distant trees. This deer was a young buck, with about 1/2 years of antler growth on it, and it was gorgeous.

So, I’m still damp – I’m thinking of coming back to Killarney after Glengarriff to explore more of the park. Ring of Kerry tomorrow. Smoothie, a movie (the queen), and my new book tonight.
Grace Kelly – Mika (hostel radio)

I don't feel like updating.... I'm being a total lazy bum today. It's lovely. I didn't set my alarm (got up at 9:30 anyway - sheesh - what's happened to me?). Went to the post office, the 2nd hand book ... [Continue reading this entry]

Since I'll be there soon: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6325061.stm

I just got an email from my lovely mother, that seems to say that I have not been very clear as to what I'm up to (in the interests of staying updated on sundance). So - I will answer her ... [Continue reading this entry]

I don't really feel like writing at the moment. I think I'm going to stay in Galway another day, and maybe skip Doolin (although I didn't see it today on my tour). I'll look over my budget and calendar tonight ... [Continue reading this entry]

The potato place was good - I got the curry potato, which was weird, but good and left me with lunch today. Then I hung out in the hostel. I'm staying in the Salmon Weir hostel (which is the name ... [Continue reading this entry]

Okay - so to finish up Westport - I wandered around the lovely little town all day, by a riverside walk, and down to the quays (saw some sandpipers and other marine-type birds). Then I decided to take the pedestrian ... [Continue reading this entry]

I am here in the lovely, lovely little town of Westport. This is the cutest, quaintest little place I've seen. AND its bright sunshine outside! (I've been so lucky this trip - no - hmm... I don't really want to ... [Continue reading this entry]

Oh, Joe... "Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr. of Delaware, who announced his candidacy on Wednesday with the hope that he could ride his foreign policy expertise into contention for the [Continue reading this entry]