CarpeDiemEire

Tu Hwnt I’r Bont Tearooms is an essential stop on any Wales road trip. I certainly wasn’t missing it on my recent one. This was once a 15th century courthouse. I’d say justice was prettier back then, but I’d be lying. It changes colours with the seasons. Certainly a reason to go back in Autumn. #visitwales #wales #welshroadtrip #carpediemeire #tuhwntirbont #tuhwntirbonttearoom #housesofinstagram #housebeautiful

The early bird catches the … bird 😱 Never seen this before. Irish wildlife at its most brutal. Spotted in Malahide estuary, Dublin. #dublin #heron #irishwildlife #birdwatchireland #ireland #birdwatching #irishwildlifephotography #carpediemeire

When clutter is art! The art studios of artist Francis Bacon have been wonderfully recreated in the Hugh Lane art Gallery in Dublin. The artist once said “I believe in deeply ordered chaos”. I guess he was referring to his art, but maybe these studios probably fit that billing too.

Some travel moments are destined to be etched into your memory for as long as you live. Standing in awe of the Treasury of Petra is one of those. It’s magnificent, a 2500 year old masterpiece that was the treasure of the Nabataean people. A people now lost to time. But Petra is so much more than the treasury. From the moment you set out on foot from the visitor centre, anticipation of what awaits you builds and builds as you walk through the Siq. This would be an attraction in itself elsewhere as towering cliffs reach far above to the blue skies. At times it’s is barely a few metres wide. It’s no wonder that this site was forgotten for centuries and centuries with the exception of the Bedouin people who lived here. It’s no wonder that they kept it a secret, their own private undiscovered wonder of the world. After the Treasury and the inevitable 100’s of photos the site opens up. This was once a city of 25,000 people and it’s obvious from the size of the site. Countless tombs to their dead are found inside, from the impressive Urn Tomb to the Monastery. Those prepared to visit the latter best wear comfortable shoes, we covered 19km over the day and up the 900 steps that take you to the Treasury. Personally the walk didn’t bother me, but being in the constant path of the glaring sunshine did take its toll. We booked a two day ticket with the Jordan pass and it gives you the freedom to see the site at your pace. It’s important to watch out as a lot of locals inside are trying to get their own slice of the ever increasing wealth that visits Petra. Bargain at the stalls. You don’t need a guide to seek out the best viewpoints. If you have to take one, ensure that any animal rides you take inside are with healthy animals. Best of all live the moment. These ones don’t come around often.

Johnstown Castle is one of the most scenic in Ireland. It’s a gothic revival castle rebuilt in the 19th century.

The beautiful aftermath of storm Antoni that battered us with heavy rains last weekend. It’s rare to see the stepping stones on the river Dodder so unnavigable. Usually it’s a calm spot to cross, but now it’s roaring.

Ireland - where fantasy is real. In the village of Blackwater in Wexford sits this incredibly cute thatched house. It’s walls are covered in shells. Nowadays it doubles as a coffee shop. While we’ve been suffering here in a wet summer, there are positives. Rainbows are one. Especially when they fall in just the right place.

It’s been the wettest July on record in Ireland. No surprises there. Thankfully it’s now over. Try a little harder please August. • • #ireland #ballyboughalairfield #ballyboughalsunflowerfarm #sunflowers #irishsummer2023 #summerof23 #🌧️ #wherehasthesummergone #dublin

Sentinel Tower in Sandyford in Dublin. If you want to see a memento of how Ireland suffered during the crash of 2008 and added €100 billion to our national debt, then this is it. Why it’s still there I can’t say. Though in the right light it’s borderline interesting.

The best things are always worth reaching for. A roe on the Blessington greenway in Wicklow.