Blarney Stone

Why is my father so happy?  I think all the blood in his body just rushed into his head?

On the way home from Kerry, we drove through county Cork.  Home of Blarney castle and the famous Blarney stone.  It's history is a mystery, with more theories than you can shake a stick at:

 The Stone was used by the prophet Jacob for his pillow and was brought to Ireland by the prophet Jeremiah; that David hid behind the Stone while running from King Saul.  (The Stone was then returned to Ireland during the Crusades); it is the very rock Moses struck with his staff to supply the Israelites with water as they fled slavery in Egypt.

To keep it safe, they have installed it way up high, at the top of the castle.  You can see it in the photo below. It is the bottom rock on that outer wall (just above the top third window where you can see the gap).  Thus you have to lean over backwards to kiss it.  Today they have a guide there to make sure you do not fall.

The castle grounds are lush and green (surprise). A few streams meander through its border. You could spend hours here walking around and exploring. We were on our way home, so we did the express tour.

The stone is on the very top floor.  Making it up the narrow, wet, winding stairs is a challenge! Luckily my Dad had his special sporty shoes

I promised my Dad I would explain the process of kissing the stone before I posted this picture below.  Otherwise people might begin to wonder what was going on between these two men?  Captions welcome.

Spring is just around the corner here.  Trees are starting to blossom, and the early flowers are breaking the surface, and there seem to be more song birds around.  I suppose allergy season is close at hand tho the famous 'Poison garden' was a bit bare.  A few more weeks I suppose. Regardless, it was good to go when we did.  We had the place to ourselves and no lines. And you know how people can be after kissing the Blarney stone...  yak yak yak...!