Farran, Ireland

Farran, Ireland. August 2014.

Lauren still has cousins living in Farran, a small village about 20km from Cork. A lot has changed since our last visit to see them. The town has more shops, new restaurants and many new homes have been built.

But you can feel the economic downturn which hit this country substantially. It is on everyone’s mind everywhere. We hear the value of land in their village has gone down over 5x from the peak a few years back.

And yet some things haven’t changed around here at their home. Taking care of their cows every day, brown bread every morning, tea every afternoon, music, dancing, and laughter around the kitchen table. And of course, the swearing. Oh man the swearing. “for fucks sake” has become as common as breathing :)

Today we are leaving Cork and heading to further west to Kenmare, which is a small town in the south of country Kerry.

Blarney, Ireland. August 2014. 

In so many ways this was not the type of spot we are drawn to. The Blarney Castle couldn’t get more touristy. Between the tour buses and the swarms of tourists it’s easy to brush this one off.

But then you make your way to the top, climbing along a fun narrow, windy, stone staircase, with the wind howling through the various stone hallways and watch your kids faces light up they lean back to kiss the Blarney Stone at the top. At that moment you realize this 600 year old castle has more to offer than the tshirt in the gift shop.

Waterford, Ireland. August 2014

On Monday we left Dublin and made it to Waterford. We stayed overnight at a small dairy farm in Waterford and woke up early to see the farm in action. Sophia was happily put to work.

After a big Irish breakfast we bumped along the back roads and took our time along a beautiful drive to Cork. I shot 4 or 5 rolls just along that drive alone.

The weather here is quite remarkable. Within 30 minutes you can find yourself in the middle of massive rain to be followed by clouds and then a bright sun. And then it happens all over again a few hours later.

Dublin, Ireland

Dublin, Ireland. August 2014.

We left Spain and arrived in Dublin late last night. We had time for a quick bite and then we crashed.

It’s been nearly 20 years since Lauren and I traveled to Ireland. And even back then our trip was way too short — only 4 days if I remember correctly.

This time we have more time to explore the country, catch up with old friends/family and look forward to meeting some new friends as well.

It rained much of the day today. But I don’t care, it’s great to be back. We explored the city, watched the Limerick vs Kilkenny semi-final at our friends house and finished the evening with a pint.

We leave Dublin tomorrow and will head south and west.

Comillas, Spain. August 2014.

We left wine country and drove about 3 hours north yesterday.

The north coast couldn’t be any more different than the Basque. While the former was dry and warm, the north is green with a cool evening breeze. The food is quite different as well. Both are wonderfully special in their own way.

I have taken about 4 rolls of film with my Hasselblad so far. It’s so nice to shoot mostly with film on vacation. Just find (or feel the exposure), compose your frame and make the photograph. No post processing, just a bunch of rolls waiting to be sent off to the lab. I am loving this Hasselblad more and more.

(In the meantime here are a few photographs taken with my digital Leica M)

I spent all day in New York City yesterday. Caught the 6am shuttle and took the 1am return (11pm return was delayed 2hrs. Oy!). It was hot, humid and one of those intense summer days in Manhatten.

But it was pretty great as well. Got some work done and caught up with friends for photowalk and a beer.

Nantucket Island

We went to Nantucket for Father’s Day weekend. The island isn’t terribly far from Boston but when you get off the ferry you feel like you are in another world.