Budapest

A small group from Mallow went to the Christmas market in Budapest recently for 3 nights. it was bitterly cold but we were well wrapped up and had a marvelous time. We went on the hop on hop off bus and saw the wonderful architecture and listened to the amazing history of Hungry.They have some fabulous buildings but having difficulty maintaining them. They have several different types of transport from trams trolley buses ordinary local buses sightseeing double decker buses and Metro underground as well as taxis of course.There were lots of markets there of course at this time of year. the athmosphere was really and seasonal and aromatic with spices of Gluwein Grog chimney cake Goulash etc We visited museums churches synagogues the Gellert spa St Stephens Basilica as well as numerous cafes and restaurants including Turkish Japanese  Italian and Hungarian of course. We also attended a concert of classical music in St Stephens Basilica which was brilliant.On one of the evenings we dined on a river boat whils cruising on the Danube. It was a brilliant sight as all the buildings were lit up on both sides  Buda and Pest. We were entertained by Hungarian musicians as we dined. A wonderful experience! The currency in Hungary is Forints approximately 300 huf to 1 Euro so you can imagine the calculations going on! The accommodation was excellent and the people very friendly and helpful.

 Good selection of hats for Margaret

 Rene and Kathleen

 crib

Heroes Sq

 Falcon

 Turkish cafe

Turkish cafe

St Stephens Basilica

Ella Eileen and John

Alter in the Synagogue

Synagogue

Parliament from the river at night

East side shopping centre

Dinner cruise on the Danube at night

                                                      

John  Margaret Rene Eileen John 

Noel and Ella

                                            Margaret and Rene well wrapped up

                                       Kathleen and Margaret stopped for a coffee

Security is very good

Afternoon Tea

Mallow ARA spent a lovely afternoon at Hayfield Manor today. The staff the food and the ambiance were wonderful. We then spent an hour retail therapy in Blarney!!

Rene Margaret and Margaret

Margaret Nora Joan and Joan

Nancy Pat and Liz

Joan Kay Kathleen and Rene

Gabrielle  Catherine Norita and Joan

Noelle Una and Ella

Rita Sheila May and Marian

Phyl Noreen and Kathleen

Maureen Mary and Mary

Mary G  Alice and Pat

Pat and Phil

Dora Eileen and Nora

Mallow visits Rathcoola

We had a get together at Monica and Seans house to catch up on photos taken on our recent holiday in the Scottish Isles. We had a lovely spread served by Monica and her daughter Sheila on a visit from London at the time. We swapped photos and stories of the holiday and had a most enjoyable time. Sean entertained us on the accordian before we headed for home. Thank you Monica for a lovely evening. It was nice to meet your lovely family too.

Margaret Nora and Sean

Monica Helen and Mary

Sheila Tomas and Sean

De Ceadaoin Afternoon Tea

On 12th July we held our meeting of De Ceadaoin in my garden with lots of goodies and strawberries and cream. It would not be afternoon tea without them!

Photos Michael Stubbs

Mallow and the Scottish Isles

A group from Mallow with friends from Dublin had a very enjoyable holiday with JMG travel on board the MV Magellan.We were collected in Mallow by JMG coaches and boarded the ship at Dublin.We travelled overnight to Liverpool and spent the next day touring Liverlool. We travelled to Greenock and did a tour of the Lakes including Loch Lomond.We also visited the picturesque village of Luss.
The next night we travelled to Mull and having crossed to the island by ferry we saw the beautiful village of Tobermorey. We then travelled by coach across the island and took another ferry to Iona a lovely tranquil island which looks like a dot on the map it is so tiny. this is where St Colmcille set up a monastery in bygone days. We had a tour of the monastery a very well preserved building. It was lovely and balmy there with the sheep cropping in the fields and the long horned cows dozing in the ruins.As we were out for the day we were given a picnic lunch. later in the evening we returned to the sip to a lovely and delicious dinner as usual.
Am ong the other islands we visited was Orkney where we saw among other things the rare flower flower calles Primula Scottica which only grows on Orkney.this island has lush green fields and no trees. They gave herds of Aberdeen Angus cows and sheep. On the islands they have several breed of sheep white ,black and Jacob black and white.
We also visited the Faroes and the town of Torshaven which is owned by Denmark and one cafe would only take Krona or credit card for coffee. However some other shops were glad to take our sterling! the next day we visited the Shetlands where it rained , the only rain we saw in the whole week.We saw some Shetland ponies but the lady who breeds them said there is very little call for them now.We saw some traditional wool jumpers and lovely handmade silver.
On the 7th day we visited Dundee and went out to see Glamis castle childhood home of the Queen Mother. It was a fabulous place. on the last night we travelled to Nrecastle wher we were bussed home gy JMG coaches stopping in Chester at a designer village and crossing on the ferry to Dublin and onwards to Mallow..
The ship was fabulous had 2 pools and 3 jacuzzis, card room, library with good supply of books , gymnasium, 3 dining rooms, spa, 4 bars, theatre, ( we would give our back teeth for one like this in Mallow)dance floor so we need never be bored. the food was to die for and we had a different menu each night.The cabins were very comfortable and the staff very pleasant and attentive.

Me with the fab 4 in Liverpool holding Paul McCartneys hand
Photo Mary Flood

On boarding the ship Margaret Mary and Nora

Luss

 Tobermorey

Long horned cow on Iona

 Artwork with fruit

Artwork with vegetables

More fruit

A bit scary this  one

He said this was his cousin!

More artwork made out of melons and other fruit
Photos Margaret Mc Carthy

with Monica in Tobermorey Island of Mull

Nora Margaret Victor Helen and Monica

Glamis Castle home of the Queen Mother

Tobermorey with our ship on the right

Enjoying another meal Margaret Mary Monica Nora and Helen

Shetland ponies at their stud farm in the rain, Shetland Island.
Photo Mary Flood

 Primula Scottica rare flower grown only on Orkney apparently.

Celebrating Helen's birthday(centre)

Photos Monica Kelleher