Planning for Key West

I got two travel guides today (thanks to my super public library!) in order to make plans for my Key West holiday.

I've visited lots of times so on this trip I'd like to try visit places that I have never been.

Kino's Sandals

Kino's Sandals have been in Key West since 1966 and make custom leather sandals. I have visited before and I intend to go back. I bought a pair of sandals that were the most comfortable sandals I have ever worn! And look at the prices....so cheap!

Key Lime Pie - I definitely want to have a slice!
In one of the books there is a list of all the places that sell Key Lime Pie. They include Kermits, Blue Heaven, Rooftop Cafe and also the Key Lime and Coconut Factory. The Blue Heaven version is smoothered in meringue which sounds divine.

Here are a few other places of interest that I intend to check out

Casa Antigua
Where Hemmingway lived for awhile when he was waiting for his car to be delivered to Key West. It costs $2 to visit or free if you spend more that $10 in the Pelican Poope gift shop.

Key West Aquarium
Built in 1934. Was originally open air but is now covered in.
Entrance fee is $15

Shipwreck Museum
Described as kitchy in my guide book I think it sounds fun!
Also costs $15 

Curry Mansion
$5 to visit and you get to see the house and also a Frank Lloyd Wright designed light fitting. Awesome!

Key West Turtle Museum
How did I never hear about this place? 
No entry fee, a donation is asked for. It seems to be open from 12-4pm, Tues - Sat. 
Sounds very interesting.

The Key West Business Guild showcases a large collection of Tennessee Williams memorabilia. He lived at 1431 Duncan Street and although it is not open to the public I may take a cycle to have a look at it.

There is lots lots more places of interest listed in my books including places to eat but for the moment all of the above sounds good! 

Making holiday plans!

2016 is the year of my big family holiday. My parents are renting a house in Key West, Florida for a month and some of my sisters are travelling over at different times to spend time with them. At one point there will be the two sets of twins all there together! We plan to do a big family brunch on the Sunday when we are all there. The brunch that we like the best is in the Bistro in the Westin. It features bottomless Mimosa's, an amazing buffet and a million dollar view out on to the water. We always book a table sitting outside as it is very rare to be able to sit outside in Ireland without shivering through your meal! 

I booked my leave from work and then booked flights for both my parents and myself. We plan to fly to Miami and spend the night there before picking up a car and driving down the Florida Keys (I will be driver, my Dad will navigate). I can't wait.....I love that drive!

Yesterday, coincidentally, there was a travel show on RTE that featured the Florida Keys. It really whetted my appetite seeing all the different places in Key West that we will be visiting very very soon.

 I took a few pictures of the travel show. It featured Key Lime Pie from Kermits and also showed Hemmingway's House. I've actually never eaten Key Lime Pie on all my trips to Key West - but I plan to eat it on this visit.

It was great to see the Summer stock in Dunnes Stores when I was in the Swan Centre. I can't wait to start buying bikinis!

All their new workout gear was also in stock for the New Year. I have been tracking my exercise and what I've been eating on a brilliant app "My Fitness Pal". This is all in preparation for the big KW trip!!

Baby Zoe Ireland

On the main 6pm Irish news tonight there was a story about baby Zoe "Ireland" Drake.  Back in October, Zoe's mother was on her way home to Tennessee, USA on a flight from Paris when she went in to premature labour with baby Zoe.  The flight detoured to Dublin, Ireland (the last spot in Europe before the USA) where baby Zoe was born in the Rotunda Hospital at only 25 weeks.

She is currently being cared for here in Ireland but her parents are anxious to get her back home to her brother and the rest of their family. In order to go home soon, money needs to be raised to pay for a special medical flight home. A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise funds to pay for the flight. They still have a long way to go to raise the amount needed for the flight (€67,000) so if you are interested in donating you can find out more information here. I donated and am hopeful they will get to their goal and get home soon with baby Zoe!

Here's an article about Christmas in Ireland for the Drake Family.

Movie Days!

We went to an afternoon showing of the latest Star Wars movie in Rathmines Omniplex. We really enjoyed it - I thought it was kind of retro with lots of the original character that everyone is sure to recognize.

Then this morning, Amy and I went to see "Joy" in Cineworld. We both had been looking at the trailers and thinking it looked great so we made a plan to go see it in the New Year. It's a great film and Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper have brilliant onscreen chemistry and it also has a fantastic soundtrack. Amy and I really enjoyed it but I don't know if I would say it is a must see film......but an interesting true story all the same! 

The street where I live: 1965 compared to 2016

As I mentioned yesterday, my house was used as a filming location for the movie "Young Cassidy" that was filmed in Dublin in 1965.

Here are a few pics of scenes from the film beside pics of Leeson Park Avenue currently.

The photo to the right is from a scene in the film - but I think it was filmed from about my neighbour's door canopy that you can see in the photo on the left.

2016                             1965

My front door. 
I will be changing the old hardware on the left shortly when I get a new door. The photo to the right is the door in the film - the crew put new knockers and letterbox on the door.

2016                                 1965

Here is the front door. The canopy can be seen in both the film and also it is still in situ currently.

2016                               1965

The street hasn't really changed!

2016                           1965

Here's me replicating Maggie Smith looking out the window of my bedroom.

2016                          1965     

Fun to put the photos side by side and make a comparison!

Thanks to the anonymous comment below that drew my attention to this video that shows the filming on my street ....it's worth a watch!

Making a Murderer on Netflix - Steven Avery Trial

I've just binge watched "Making a Murderer" on Netflix.  OMG! What an unreal story.

It's a story that is over 10 years in the making. It follows the trial of Steven Avery who served 18 years for a rape he did not commit. After being exonerated for this crime he was then arrested for the murder of Theresa Halbach.

I watched all 10 episodes over two days and at times I was shouting at the TV - it's that type of must watch material!!

If you have Netflix and are looking for something to watch I can't recommend this enough. Do let me know what you think if you have seen it!

This story has been ongoing for a long long time. I don't think it made the news or media here in Ireland but presumably it was big news in USA and particularly in Wisconsin where it took place. I'd be interested to hear if anyone heard about it in the media before Netflix.

TG4 on New Year's Day - Young Cassidy

My sister texted me to tell me that Young Cassidy starring Rod Taylor was on TG4 today.  I was so happy to be able to watch it.

It is filmed in Dublin and I recognized some of the filming locations (Gravediggers/Kavanaghs Pub in Glasnevin) and also of course my house!! You can read my original blog about this here.

Here are a few photos of my house in the film. In the film it was the house where Nora (played by Maggie Smith lived).

Ciaran's mother said that the film crew planted roses in the garden and put new lace curtains in the windows. I think they changed the door knocker also as we have a different one on our front door (which I think is original to the house) and they also put a different number on the front door.

We are replacing our door shortly. I may put a knocker similar to this one on the door.

This houses are to the left of my house as you enter. I must take a picture of how it looks today and put it up for comparison.

Here's Maggie Smith looking out our bedroom window.

The house attached to ours (to the left of this pic in the background) was knocked down in the nineties and rebuilt.

This is across the road to us.  It looks somewhat the same nowadays. I will again take a picture and put them up side by side in the next few days when they weather gets better.