Don Quixote, trains and castles oh my.

Map - 22

Monday 22nd July ’19.

Today started out wet and cold, and then got more and more beautiful as the day went by. I literally had all 4 seasons in one day today. Plus a shower on my bicycle(rain storm), and a blow-dry on my bicycle (riding into the wind after the storm passed).

I went past an old windmill called Blennerville Windmill and really enjoyed the tour. The tour guide spoke English, German and Spanish depending on where we each came from. We toured the entire windmill from bottom to top (I'm still not sure why the saying is "from top to bottom", after all you have to start at the bottom and work your way up, no?).

He explained in great detail how the windmill worked, what each of the parts were and expertly answered any questions we had after.
It was very enjoyable and quite impressive, as were the views in the area in general.

Blennerville Windmill under stormy clouds - landscape
Blennerville Windmill looking up at blades from exterior under stormy clouds - wider lens
Blennerville Windmill from the side - over flowers
Blennerville Windmill from an angle - over the river - landscape - further
Inside Blennerville Windmill - mill stone to outside window
Inside Blennerville Windmill - mill stone to flour chute
Blennerville Windmill inside - wheat - 2
Blennerville Windmill inside - parts
Bridge over River Lee Blennerville - Tralee County Kerry
Sheep at the bottom of a mountain
Sheep at the bottom of a mountain - close

Part of the exhibit that they have housed in their main building, is a very impressive miniature train track room with numerous tracks, plenty of working trains and very cute oddities. Look for the person being pushed home in a wheelbarrow from a pub, and a police car with the rear wheel clamped for parking in the wrong spot. And plenty more fun, surprises.

Go through the following photos carefully, and let me know in the comments what YOU see 🙂

If you're ever in the area, I highly recommend checking them out. And in the meantime, enjoy their Facebook page.

Blennerville Windmill - miniature train tracks - 1
Blennerville Windmill - miniature train tracks - 2
Blennerville Windmill - miniature train tracks - 6
Blennerville Windmill - miniature train tracks - 5
Blennerville Windmill - miniature train tracks - 3
Blennerville Windmill - miniature train tracks - 4
Blennerville Windmill - miniature train tracks - 7
Blennerville Windmill - miniature train tracks - Garda vehicle clamped
Blennerville Windmill - miniature train tracks - 9
Blennerville Windmill - miniature train tracks - 8

I passed quite a few old castles, a few of which I cannot find any information on. It appears that they have faded into the mists of time. I have to admit, I actually find that a little depressing. There is so much history in each location. Peoples stories. Their lives lived, loves found and lost, children born, futures created, and futures cut short. The politics at play, regional and familial. The good and the evil. The hard and the beautiful. The hopes, dreams and aspirations of so many generations. Gone. With no trace, other than a few rocks. More is the pity.

May we all live lives filled with purpose, hope, meaning, beauty, kindness, wonder, family, love, wealth, richness of spirit, health of body, peace of mind, and above all else, a deep sense of gratitude for all that we have. And may our good names, and proper deeds be honored to be passed down from generation to generation. Inspiring others, giving them strength from our resilience, lifting them up in times of hardship, nurturing them in times of need, and bringing a twinkle to their eyes, as the stories of our fun and mischievious lives are remembered forever.

And now for a few castle images.

Desmond Castle and the Hellfire Club - Askeaton - County Limerick
Desmond Castle and the Hellfire Club over River Deel - Askeaton - County Limerick
Old Castle House over River Glencorbry - County Limerick
Old Castle House over River Glencorbry - County Limerick - 2
Old Castle House over River Glencorbry - County Limerick - plaque
Old entrance to Glin Castle County Limerick
Old white entrance to Glin Castle County Limerick
Glin Castle - County Limerick
Glin Castle - Tower and flag
Unknown castle on Coast Road - County Limerick
Unknown castle on hilltop - Coast Road - County Limerick
Franciscan Abbey over River Deel - County Limerick
Franciscan Abbey from the Highway - County Limerick
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8 thoughts on “Don Quixote, trains and castles oh my.”

  1. Such deep words, Life is a journey and yes although the stones may not tell us the history of man without some sort of background as they cannot speak themselves, maybe it is each persons deeds and their stories that speak to us, their actions and how they lived. It always interests me how these places were constructed, how difficult it must have been to make them, yet people were carpenters, blacksmiths etc….they were either commissioned or if they were slaves, used to build such architecture…..what are the structures made from? Just curious…

  2. I enjoyed the pictures as usual, especially the flowers with the windmill in the background and the castle pictures as well. I love people’s creativity and humor even when it comes to something as innocent and simple as a miniature train and town set.

    1. Thanks so much. Absolutely!! People are amazing. Such tremendous power to create or destroy.

  3. I enjoy also when we get to see how people did things in those times, some even today with technology chose to use the old methods. What a diverse world. I enjoy your pictures so much, so full of history and mystery at times”, Our world is so complex

    1. In many ways, the “Good Ole Days” were much better and simpler. But also much harder. With all the problems we face today, it can be very bleak, but yet we have so much more potential for both good and bad. The lessons of the past must be learned. Or we doomed to repeat them.

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