Liam's grandfather had told him stories of life in Ireland, how farmers and their harnessed draft horses plowed land and brought in harvest. These images were so compelling that one day, Liam and wife Betty headed to the 'auld country themselves.
Liam had rented a traditional traveler caravan, and plodded out onto the dirt roads, being pulled by a harnessed draft horse, named Billy. Sean and Dermot, owners of Caravan Travels, watched them leave, whispering, They'll be stuck in mud before the day's out.
First few miles, Liam and Betty were filled with energy, singing every Irish song they knew, which were many. Over the hours, as energy seemed to drop and sag, they decided that left lane at the fork looked more promising and shorter to the pit stop where other renters would gather and sing more Irish songs.
Mud grabbed their wheels which locked the caravan stock still, while Billy quite happily grazed at lush green grass. Betty began to weep and Liam was dismayed, feeling betrayed by his grandfather's stories.
Then, a fine old black and white tractor came chugging and howling to this miserable couple, followed by Sean in a Ford 150, who fixed the problem right and proper, pulling them out of mud, with a loud SUCK.
Back at Caravan Travels, Liam doled over more pounds to rent a mobile trailer, hooked on the trailer hitch of his rental car, and drove off in a bright red shade of embarrassment.
Tourists. Dreamers.
First few miles, Liam and Betty were filled with energy, singing every Irish song they knew, which were many. Over the hours, as energy seemed to drop and sag, they decided that left lane at the fork looked more promising and shorter to the pit stop where other renters would gather and sing more Irish songs.
Mud grabbed their wheels which locked the caravan stock still, while Billy quite happily grazed at lush green grass. Betty began to weep and Liam was dismayed, feeling betrayed by his grandfather's stories.
Then, a fine old black and white tractor came chugging and howling to this miserable couple, followed by Sean in a Ford 150, who fixed the problem right and proper, pulling them out of mud, with a loud SUCK.
Back at Caravan Travels, Liam doled over more pounds to rent a mobile trailer, hooked on the trailer hitch of his rental car, and drove off in a bright red shade of embarrassment.
Tourists. Dreamers.
We are contemplating a journey to Ireland. No traveler caravan, just something safe.
This was a post from August 2015.
Did you make it to Ireland?
ReplyDeleteWe will. Hoping to hook up with our daughter's family from Switzerland, whom we have not seen for 2 years!
DeleteAre you planning another trip or is that line from the old post?
ReplyDeleteNo, it is in the planning.
DeleteI hope you make it to Ireland. Avoid the horse-drawn carriage though.
ReplyDeleteOur hope is October, November. No horses.
DeleteDid you make it to Ireland as planned?
ReplyDeleteIn 2015, we had been to for a short trip. Our plans are to be there (if all is set).
DeleteI love the sight and thought of the 'traditional traveler caravan'. Never knew of them. We would love to make the too long delayed trip to Ireland. Maybe stay in the B&B's along the way. Our Grandson and wife did it and loved it.
ReplyDeleteSherry & jack who would LOVE to see Ireland...
Don't wait too long.
DeleteThe old ways are not always the best. But they can be fun.
ReplyDeleteYes, they sure can.
DeleteAlthough, that might be a fun thing to do if one was prepared to go fully old timey with it all. I bet that could be a market of some sort.
ReplyDeleteIt is a market, or at least was.
DeleteIt might be nice to ride in one of those for a few hours, just for the fun, but i am not sure i'd want to travel in it much more than that.
ReplyDeleteOh, absolutely! Maybe, a ride at a fair or something, but that is okay.
DeleteYeah maybe avoid the old time caravan, huh? lol.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your trip when you go!! :)
I think we are considering a tourist bus.
DeleteIt does sound like a fun idea - for a few hours. I think in the long run the fun might disappear, especially on those narrow Irish roads. Apart from that, a trip to Ireland sounds like a great plan. We were there in 2018 and loved the friendliness of the people.
ReplyDeleteThe travel caravan will be in the far distance.
DeleteYou'll find the roads have been fixed up now. The people are still as friendly though.
ReplyDeleteWe are thinking about October for our adventure!
Delete