Iceland Land of fire and ice

A group from Mallow with Monica and Freda from Donoughmore and Paddy and Noreen from Banteer recently went on a 3 night trip to Iceland to view the Northern lights courtesy of the Travel Department. We had a wonderful time staying at the Radisson Blu Saga in Reykjavik where the accomodation , meals and staff were top class. Our guide Johan was wonderful and made every effort to make our holiday enjoyable.On our first morning we went to the Blue Lagoon where we spent several hours basking in the lovely warm and silky blue water reputed to have healing properties.On parts of the island the land seemed very flat and barren with just lava and some grey moss. Even though the roads were clear there was some snow on the mountains and a little on the low land.The contrast between the volcanic rock , the majestic mountains and the clear water of rivers and lakes was amazing. And then we saw some puffs of smoke coming from the ground (steam actually). These were geysers and one of them exploded ferociously nearby.We also saw the Gullfoss Icelands famous golden waterfall and drove through Thingvellir national park. On the 2nd night we went out the country in order to see the northern lights. Johan took us to several locations and eventually we were sucessful. We have some wonderful photos. On our 1st night we visited the Grillid roof top restaurant where the food was superb like something out of Masterchef though not to everyones taste.The head chef there Sigurdur is representing Iceland in the Bocuse d'Or a European competition for chefs.On the last night we did hope to go to the Perlan revolving restaurant where on that night they were serving wild animal food such as Reindeer, Kangaroo, Whale,Goose,Red Deer,Moose,Guillemont,Salmon, Herring and pickled Lamb.Unfortunately we could not get a booking but two nice ladies from Limerick whom we befriended were luckier and they reported it was the treat of a lifetime where they were treated like royalty. Very nice to meet you both Theresa and Ann.

On Sunday we went to Mass in the Sacred Heart church and lo and behold the priest was Irish. He invited us back for coffee and cake afterwards. There are a lot of Phillipinoes and Polish living there and Mass is celebrated in Icelandic English Spanish and Polish. Later we went to the flea market where we got some bargains. .I met a fisherman at the market who carved on bone and whale tusks and reindeer horns in his spare time and these items were truly amazing. Unfortunately I could not afford to purchase.There was a cafe there with live music and it was really nice and relaxing. We also saw the concert hall, museums, art galleries and lots of shops in our free time.

It is very expensive in Iceland but the people are lovely and friendly, the scenery fabulous and the air and water so pure. It was not as cold as expected except at night. It is well worth a visit.Many thanks to the Travel Department once again.

Monica and Noreen on the mountain

Fishing Trawler

Eddie and Mae at the waterfall

Reykjavik

Theresa and Nora at the geysers

Superjeep

Thingviller National Park ( photo P Buckley)

 Waterfall

 Volcano

Aurora Borealis

Icelandic Horses

Northern Lights

Photo Paddy Buckley  Banteer

CALENDER OF EVENTS NOV/DEC/JAN 2015

November 3rd  Sun Holiday in Teneriffe

November 6th  Recommencing Art classes at Mercy centre

November 12th   Half day tour to Cork City Gaol and Wilton shopping centre

November 18th  Ruth from Travel Focus will speak about River Cruise for next summer

November 21st  3 night trip to Belfast staying at Hilton Hotel, visiting Titanic centre and Antrim coast including Giants Causeway

November 26th  Visit to Chester Beatty Library Dublin and free time for shopping

Dec 3rd  Half- day trip to Griffins Garden Centre for Demonstration and lunch

December 7/8th   2 night stay at Metropole Hotel Cork including Regional meeting and Gala Christmas Dinner.

December 18th  Christmas lunch at Springfort Hall

December 23rd Irish Coffee Christmas party at Mercy centre

January 6th   Little Christmas Dinner dance and overnight stay at River Island Hotel Castleisland.

January 27th  AGM at Mercy Centre

Pilates classes each Tues after meeting
Empowerment classes each Thurs night 7.30 pm at Le Cheile
Cards each Tues and Thurs 2.30 pm at Library

WESTPORT CO MAYO

Some Mallow Active Retired members together with members from Retired Peoples Network, Boherbue and Kilshannig have just returned from a 3 night trip to Westport with Joe Enright Coach Tours staying at The Westport Woods Hotel. We travelled up the west and through Connemara stopping at Ennis, Spiddal and Leenane for refreshments all the while being given information about the area we were travelling through and entertained with music and song.We got a great welcome at the hotel and after checking into our rooms we had a drinks reception and a wonderful meal followed by Bingo, cards, and music song and dancing for the rest of the night.This set the tone for the 3 nights of our stay.
On the first day we visited Achill Island where we saw some wonderful sights. Joe entertained us all the way with stories about the area and the people. We had several refreshment stops of course , it wouldn't be the same without that.We saw the new cycle path which goes all the way from Westport to Achill, which I think is a marvellous idea.Among the places we visited  I was taken with the Blue Bicycle Vintage Cafe in Newport. Tea and coffee is served in China cups and they have odd cups saucers , plates and teapots in china which I think is a lovely idea. They have a collection of china teapots as well  and of course the home cooked food was delicious . For me the strawberry and blueberry cream sponge cake, for Eileen the apple tart and ice cream and for Rene the home made soup and brown bread!
On the 2nd day we visited Foxford Woolen mills and had a tour of the museum.We were highly impressed with the standard of the museum and the story behind it .Later we called to the Museum of Country Life and again we were highly impressed.Joe kept us going with tales of the area we were travelling in.On our way back to the hotel we drove to the Quay at Clew Bay and on a little farther we stopped at the Shebeen for a drink and a sing song.
All in all we had a wonderful time and made new friends as the crowd jelled very well together. We hope we will be able to travel together again some time.

Loves young dream.

Ann Moira Liz and Rita

Don't let the fire out!

Rene John and Margaret

Noreen and Hot Whiskey

At the Shebeen

Bridie John and Eileen

Joan going to work. (photo N Lucey)

Sonny, Joe and Joan at Westport. (photo N Lucey)

Blackrock Castle Observatory

Recently Mallow ARA visited Blackrock Castle Observatory. We had a wonderful day on a tour of the dungeon which is not really a dungeon but was the armoury when the castle was defending Cork Harbour in the old days but is at the base of the castle as you would expect.We got to this by means of a narrow spiral staircase. Next we we walked up a total of a hundred steps of spiral staircase to the battlements where we had a fabulous view, upwards to the city, down to the mouth of the harbour and inland to some really nice properties and greenery. Unfortunately the view opposite was not so nice being Tivoli docks so full of ugly containers.Then we had a look around the observatory and had a film and talk about the stars and planets.Frances who gave the talk was absolutely fantastic with her knowledge and enthusiasm and answered many questions from our group.She was able to zoom in on various stars etc. It was interesting to see the Southern Cross, The Milky Way,  the Plough, the Bears, Sirius, Mars, Neptune etc and to hear about space travel, falling stars and many more interesting facts. Well worth a visit! There is also a lovely cafe there.
Afterwards we went to Mahon Point shopping centre for a bit of retail therapy.

In the Dungeon
Photos Michael Stubbs