Whiskers' Guestbook

Your son in law is one of those fools who have jumped off that bridge....I couldn't watch but did manage to catch some video of him

Sounds like your walking legs are firmly in place for this trip
Gosh the Kiwi blog for me is almost happening as it happens to you! Great to read about places I haven't been in awhile. We always find those DOC walk times are out by a long shot-must be designed for the elderly or infirm.

Yay
Stoked to have the blog back in action again! Sounds like you missed the Pike River Memorial on the road between Blackball and Reefton - shame, coz it's a very moving site with a section dedicated to each of the lost miners, with personal items and dedications from family members, looking towards the mine site in the distance. Would have been interesting to vote in Blackball, the home of the Labour party! I imagine you would have been run out of town with pitchforks (or mining picks?) if they caught a whiff of the side you were voting for.....!

Millstreet Visit...For the attention of Grahame and Gretchen Benvie
I've just become aware of your Travel Blog from a "Millstreet in the News" feature on our official Millstreet website www.millstreet.ie. Firstly I'm glad that you had some success in your root search in the general Millstreet/Boherbue area of Co. Cork. Millstreet Library personnel are always so very helpful. You mentioned your visit to Millstreet Church - the original of which was built in 1840 and for which there are records from 1853. You then referred to your unsuccessful visit to Millstreet Museum indicating that it was closed although you had read somewhere that we were open on Saturdays. I would like to clarify this - For the past four years Millstreet Museum has not been open as renovation to the overall Carnegie Hall (in which we are based) was being made. We open from Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays). We did open on Sat. 5th Oct. 2013 for a special one day Exhibition relating to a major Motor Rallying Event in our area. I would very much appreciate it if you would indicate where you noted the Saturday opening of our Museum/Tourist Information Centre so that we are in a position to correct this for any future visitors. I am aware of other tourism websites of which we do not have control where opening hours of past years may still not have been updated - If this is still the position we shall make contact with such websites and request updating. As your public travel blog has appeared on our Millstreet website it is necessary that I clarify the opening hour situation for the many daily visitors to our local official website. I shall also indicate where you became aware of the incorrect opening days and hours. My compliments to you on an excellent Travel Blog. We've helped many people to trace roots over the years including two couples during this past week alone where we were even able to bring them to the exact location of their great grand father. Both of these couples had made contact with us in advance of their arrival by referring to www.millstreet.ie. In fact we welcomed two other couples from New Zealand over the past six weeks. Our Museum is run on a voluntary basis with two very dedicated assistants financed by a Government Scheme. I may be contacted by emailing millstreetmuseum@eircom.net . Thank you for your attention and your great interest in Ireland and in particular this Duhallow area of Co. Cork. I wish you well on your many travels. Kindest regards - Seán Radley, Curator, Millstreet Museum/Tourist Information Centre.

Road bowling has history
Interesting game played mainly in County Cork and County Armagh...which fits your location! It has been round for 300+ years and often gambling is involved to bet on who can take the least number of throws to get their ball or bullet along the set course of country roads. The ball is actually a cannonball of set size and weight!

Biscuits and pottery come to mind!
Interesting for those of us at home downunder to make links of common things with real places in the UK-Shrewsbury biscuits and Staffordshire pottery-did you see either in these 2 places? Almost end of your trip now-just rainy Ireland to go? Hope the Mahoney hunt is successful!

Is the Pope Polish???

The Incident
Funny that the sponsored advertising for this page of blog as I read it here is selling Alarm monitoring services, fire and home security alarms and the fire safety message. I am really surprised with all your clandestine cooking on the BBA adventures you have not had a problem like this one before now. Sounds like the Schottish Authorities are much more considerate than some you encountered on the other side of the former Iron Curtain. I am curious about the fog light incident. Why is it illegal. Happy Travelling O&R

No one takes on the Benvives!
Great story (yes, I am just catching up on the blog now before you get home!)...everyone should know not to tkae on the Benvies! Can just imagine the little wind up toy trying to get this one sorted!

An entertaining event!
Very lucky to escape without a fine!...a story to dine out on for awhile no doubt-who was actually responsible for the offending piece of toast and did the firemen discover it?