400 Years of the Telescope

The time and date today seem to be blurred with yesterday and vice-versa. From the time we loaded up the large beige/ gold SUV and trucked our gear to the San Francisco International Airport to the time when we retrieved (or reclaimed) or baggage at the Shannon Airport, we were in perpetual motion. The San Francico airport was bustling, airport entrance to boarding gate, and everyone seemed to want to either start their vacations or make their way back home in a hurry. We, on the other hand, were just beginning our 3-week whirlwind tour of Europe and were taking our time, triple checking our gear before our plane departed. The 10-hour flight from San Francisco to Heathrow Airport (London) allowed us to get one last good stint of sleep before the next few weeks of early mornings and late nights in some of the most scenic cities in the world. We met up with one of our writers, Donald Goldsmith at the Heathrow Airport prior to boarding our second flight of the day to Shannon, Ireland. We had a minor hiccup in our relatively smooth morning so far when Don’s luggage was suddenly missing at the baggage reclaim turnstyle. We’re still awaiting news from the airline as they are trying to track down and retrieve Don’s things.

Tonight we spent the evening enjoying the delicacies that Bunratty has to offer. We walked down the road, past an aging Irish Castle, to a small restaurant and pub called the “Dirty Nelly”. The bar doubles as an “Oyster Bar” where they serve, obviously, oysters in various different recipes. We sat upstairs at the restaurant at a corner table near a window and enjoyed a delicious Irish meal. A travel tip to the wise, order the rack of lamb, it is truly a wonderful treat! We talked about the production as the sound of bagpipes began floating through the window to our ears. That made our evening seem complete, the meal, the company, and the ambiance.

Today was a nice easing into the European culture. Unfortunately, the remainder of our production team will be standing in the dreaded line #51 in the San Francisco International Airport tonight and running through the trial by fire that said line will cause them as we enjoy our beautiful accommodations at the Bunratty Shannon Shamrock Hotel. Tomorrow morning, we head off two-hours into the country to Birr Castle where we will see the Great Telescope at Lord Rosse’s estate.