Prison can change you. Eugenides, or Gen, as he is better known, should know. After bragging about how he could steal the king’s seal, Gen is overheard and sent to jail for being a thief. The book starts when the king’s magus, or scholar, finds out where an ancient treasure is hidden. The king wants it, so they take Gen out of jail.
The magus doesn’t care about Gen himself, he only cares about Gen’s skills: Gen can steal anything. Taking along Pol, a guard, Ambiades, and Sophos, the magus and Gen set off to find this treasure. They find out that the king of Sounis, the magus’s king, only wants the treasure, called Hamiathes’s Gift, to marry the queen of Eddis. If he succeeds in winning the queen’s hand, Sounis will rule Eddis and Sounis.
Gen and his companions embark on a dangerous path, hunted by soldiers. When they finally locate the site, Gen takes three days to find Hamiathes’s Gift. He finds it, meeting the gods and goddesses of his religion in the process.
He takes the Gift, returns, and on the trip back, loses it in a battle! No one is seriously wounded, but Hamiathes’s Gift is missing. They carry on, still upset, but doing their duty. Out of food, the magus orders Gen to steal food and horses from Pirrhea, which he reluctantly does. The magus says, “I thought you said you could steal anything,” to which Gen replies, “Things don’t make noise.”
He discovers that the gods are interest in him, and they travel on. They’d spotted their enemies twice, but Gen is given Sophos’s sword to delay them. Gen gets trapped, and the next thing he knows, he’s back in Eddis’s dungeon.
The magus and Sophos are free, and instantly come to see if Gen is okay. Gen, bruised, hurt, irritated, and tired, tries to shoo them away, but falls asleep instead. Gen later learns from Sophos that Pol and Ambiades died in the battle against the Eddis soldiers. Sophos told Gen that he thought he was a great swordsman, but Gen says that it was all because his father had wanted him to be a soldier. Gen is pulled out of jail to speak with the Queen, to bargain for his freedom. Gen is now free, but Sophos and the magus are then arrested. Gen hurries to save them, and helps them escape.
In the book, you will find out whether or not Gen and his friends are freed. Does Gen then return to the Sounis prison, or does the king free him because of his help? Perhaps, more important, do they find Hamiathes’s Gift again?
I really liked this book because it was challenging, fun, and adventurous, all at the same time. In this suspense filled cliffhanger, the reader is kept on his/her toes. No one can just walk away from a book like The Thief. It really keeps you on your toes; just when you think Gen is safe, he gets into an even bigger pickle. Megan Whalen Turner is a great author, and I loved her book. I hope to read more of her amazing work some day.
Monday, September 28, 2009
The Lighthouse Land By: Adrian McKinty
Jamie O’Neill lives a normal life, except for the loss of one arm after bone cancer. He hasn’t spoken since the cancer took his arm and when Jamie’s mother receives a letter that tells her she has inherited a little house called the Lighthouse House in Ireland on Muck Island, he feels like his life might be making a turn for the better.
In Ireland, the Irish people call Jamie a lord, because he is a descendant of a long line of Irish kings, all of whom disappeared long ago. With his newfound Irish friend, Ramsay, Jamie explores an ancient lighthouse next to the Lighthouse House, which gives the House its name, and discovers a mystic artifact left by his ancestors. They are astonished to find out that the artifact, a gold key shaped object called the Salmon of Knowledge, is a key to another world in peril. On this world, they find that a girl on this other planet who speaks English, Old English. She, too, called Jamie ‘Lord Jamie,’ and Ramsay ‘Lord Ramsay.’ The girl introduced herself as Wishaway. Wishaway has been sent by her father to wait for the return of the ‘Lords Ui Neill,’ and Altair, her “city” on this world, has been visited once before by the Lords Ui Neill, maybe even twice.
Wishaway explains that her city is being attacked by the citizens of Alkhava, and is in desperate need of help. Jamie is determined to help her out. Suddenly, all people in these two cities fall ill. Ramsay has given them chicken pox!
On Earth, chicken pox is common, and people are somewhat used to it. But in this world, where the inhabitants aren’t adapted to it, it is fatal. The Salmon of Knowledge has altered Wishaway so that she is prepared for it, but what about her father and her friends? Jamie, Ramsay, and Wishaway must find a cure, and save this poor world.
I really like the book The Lighthouse Land, because it is about a boy just like us, only he finds this key that opens a wormhole to another world. It feels like the author, Adrian McKinty, really takes us back with Jamie, Ramsay, and Wishaway. This book feels almost real.
In Ireland, the Irish people call Jamie a lord, because he is a descendant of a long line of Irish kings, all of whom disappeared long ago. With his newfound Irish friend, Ramsay, Jamie explores an ancient lighthouse next to the Lighthouse House, which gives the House its name, and discovers a mystic artifact left by his ancestors. They are astonished to find out that the artifact, a gold key shaped object called the Salmon of Knowledge, is a key to another world in peril. On this world, they find that a girl on this other planet who speaks English, Old English. She, too, called Jamie ‘Lord Jamie,’ and Ramsay ‘Lord Ramsay.’ The girl introduced herself as Wishaway. Wishaway has been sent by her father to wait for the return of the ‘Lords Ui Neill,’ and Altair, her “city” on this world, has been visited once before by the Lords Ui Neill, maybe even twice.
Wishaway explains that her city is being attacked by the citizens of Alkhava, and is in desperate need of help. Jamie is determined to help her out. Suddenly, all people in these two cities fall ill. Ramsay has given them chicken pox!
On Earth, chicken pox is common, and people are somewhat used to it. But in this world, where the inhabitants aren’t adapted to it, it is fatal. The Salmon of Knowledge has altered Wishaway so that she is prepared for it, but what about her father and her friends? Jamie, Ramsay, and Wishaway must find a cure, and save this poor world.
I really like the book The Lighthouse Land, because it is about a boy just like us, only he finds this key that opens a wormhole to another world. It feels like the author, Adrian McKinty, really takes us back with Jamie, Ramsay, and Wishaway. This book feels almost real.
Ireland Day 15
Day 15 - Wednesday, July 15
The 15th was our last full day in Ireland. We took a bus to see Newgrange and Knowth, more burial tombs. The rocks surrounding the tombs were filled with ancient Celtic designs, and beautiful swirls. We had extra time to go to Loughcrew, more passage tombs. We walked in, and admired the designs, before we had to go back to our hotel.
TO SEE PICTURES, PLEASE GO TO: http://albums.phanfare.com/1630059/4149398
The 15th was our last full day in Ireland. We took a bus to see Newgrange and Knowth, more burial tombs. The rocks surrounding the tombs were filled with ancient Celtic designs, and beautiful swirls. We had extra time to go to Loughcrew, more passage tombs. We walked in, and admired the designs, before we had to go back to our hotel.
TO SEE PICTURES, PLEASE GO TO: http://albums.phanfare.com/1630059/4149398
Ireland Day 14
Day 14 - Tuesday, July 14
The 14th was Dublin. We mailed all of our postcards and walked along the streets of Dublin. It was fun. It was sad, because we were going to leave on the 16th. We missed Ireland!
TO SEE PICTURES, PLEASE GO TO: http://albums.phanfare.com/1630059/4149398
The 14th was Dublin. We mailed all of our postcards and walked along the streets of Dublin. It was fun. It was sad, because we were going to leave on the 16th. We missed Ireland!
TO SEE PICTURES, PLEASE GO TO: http://albums.phanfare.com/1630059/4149398
Ireland Day 13
Day 13 – Monday, July 13
We went to Belfast! The marches of the Orange Parades, celebrating Britain conquering Ireland, holds their biggest marching day of the season on the 12th, so we went to Giant’s Causeway that day. We went to Belfast on the 13th to avoid the parades. Unfortunately, because the 12th was on a Sunday, they delayed the parades until the 13th. And our tour bus was canceled.
We still got to walk around on our own, and the parades were really cool. We went to our hotel.
TO SEE PICTURES, PLEASE GO TO: http://albums.phanfare.com/1630059/4149398
We went to Belfast! The marches of the Orange Parades, celebrating Britain conquering Ireland, holds their biggest marching day of the season on the 12th, so we went to Giant’s Causeway that day. We went to Belfast on the 13th to avoid the parades. Unfortunately, because the 12th was on a Sunday, they delayed the parades until the 13th. And our tour bus was canceled.
We still got to walk around on our own, and the parades were really cool. We went to our hotel.
TO SEE PICTURES, PLEASE GO TO: http://albums.phanfare.com/1630059/4149398
Ireland Day 12
Day 12 – Sunday, July 12
We went to the famous Giant’s Causeway on the 12th Day! We walked around the top route, looking at the “Organ,” the “Granny,” the “Chimney,” the “Camel,” and the “Giant’s Boot,” among others. I sat down on the Giant’s Boot, and Mom slipped and fell near the Organ. Soon, we departed for Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. Carrick-a-rede is a rope bridge placed about 98.5 ft over the water below. We waited in an ENORMOUS line to get to the bridge, and then we crossed the bridge. (Why did the tourist cross the bridge? To get to the other side! Bah dum Chh!) We walked around, before crossing back and leaving for Kinbane Castle. From there we went to our hotel.
TO SEE PICTURES, PLEASE GO TO: http://albums.phanfare.com/1630059/4149398
We went to the famous Giant’s Causeway on the 12th Day! We walked around the top route, looking at the “Organ,” the “Granny,” the “Chimney,” the “Camel,” and the “Giant’s Boot,” among others. I sat down on the Giant’s Boot, and Mom slipped and fell near the Organ. Soon, we departed for Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. Carrick-a-rede is a rope bridge placed about 98.5 ft over the water below. We waited in an ENORMOUS line to get to the bridge, and then we crossed the bridge. (Why did the tourist cross the bridge? To get to the other side! Bah dum Chh!) We walked around, before crossing back and leaving for Kinbane Castle. From there we went to our hotel.
TO SEE PICTURES, PLEASE GO TO: http://albums.phanfare.com/1630059/4149398
Ireland Day 11
Day 11 – Saturday, July 11
We visited Castle Donegal, which is a castle where the people running it kept different exhibits up, so visitors can see how it would be like to live there. ?? From there we went to Doe Castle, which was anticlimactic. It was like a castle’s shell, because you couldn’t go in. Oh, well. Soon after, we went to Grianan of Aileach Stone Fort (grr!). After that, we went to our hotel for the night.
TO SEE PICTURES, PLEASE GO TO: http://albums.phanfare.com/1630059/4149398
We visited Castle Donegal, which is a castle where the people running it kept different exhibits up, so visitors can see how it would be like to live there. ?? From there we went to Doe Castle, which was anticlimactic. It was like a castle’s shell, because you couldn’t go in. Oh, well. Soon after, we went to Grianan of Aileach Stone Fort (grr!). After that, we went to our hotel for the night.
TO SEE PICTURES, PLEASE GO TO: http://albums.phanfare.com/1630059/4149398
Ireland Day 10
Day 10 – Friday, July 10
We went to Carrowkeel passage tombs. Passage tombs are tombs that you can walk into. They have lots of different designs on the stones. After that, we went to Carrowmore megalithic cemetery. We walked around, before heading to Sligo Friary. We took a tour of the grounds at Sligo Friary, which was fun. Then, we went to Parke’s Castle. I can’t say much for it, since I stayed in the car, but the outside looks cool. Soon after, we went to Drumcliff. Drumcliff is a small stone church. W. B. Yeats was buried there. From there, we went to Creevykeel Court Tomb. Creevykeel Court Tomb is a stone circle with a Dolmen in the center. You can crawl into the Dolmen’s entrance, which was neat. Unfortunately, we had to go to our hotel afterwards.
TO SEE PICTURES, PLEASE GO TO: http://albums.phanfare.com/1630059/4149398
We went to Carrowkeel passage tombs. Passage tombs are tombs that you can walk into. They have lots of different designs on the stones. After that, we went to Carrowmore megalithic cemetery. We walked around, before heading to Sligo Friary. We took a tour of the grounds at Sligo Friary, which was fun. Then, we went to Parke’s Castle. I can’t say much for it, since I stayed in the car, but the outside looks cool. Soon after, we went to Drumcliff. Drumcliff is a small stone church. W. B. Yeats was buried there. From there, we went to Creevykeel Court Tomb. Creevykeel Court Tomb is a stone circle with a Dolmen in the center. You can crawl into the Dolmen’s entrance, which was neat. Unfortunately, we had to go to our hotel afterwards.
TO SEE PICTURES, PLEASE GO TO: http://albums.phanfare.com/1630059/4149398
Ireland Day 9
Day 9 – Thursday, July 9
We visited Connemara on Day 9. While there, we saw Aughnanure Castle and a peat bog. At Aughnanure, there was one tiny tower and one big one. We saw some horses there. Peat is squishy and bouncy like a trampoline when it is in the ground, but after it’s laid in the sun, it hardens. It absorbs so well that it was once used for bandages. It was also burned for fuel. From there we went to Kylemore Abbey. At Kylemore Abbey, we walked around, before going to Doo Lough Valley. The National Famine Memorial was there, so we went to see it. The National Famine Memorial is a bronze statue of a ship, with bronze skeletons draped over it. It was built in memory of everyone who died in the Potato Famine. It was really neat!
Soon after, we went to Rockfleet Castle. Rockfleet Castle was Grace O’Malley’s home. Grace O’Malley was/is a famous pirate queen. Then we went to Moyne Friary, where we walked around before heading over to Rosserk Friary. Rosserk Friary is a roofless friary, and it was raining, so we got really wet! After that, we went to our hotel for the night.
TO SEE PICTURES, PLEASE GO TO: http://albums.phanfare.com/1630059/4149398
We visited Connemara on Day 9. While there, we saw Aughnanure Castle and a peat bog. At Aughnanure, there was one tiny tower and one big one. We saw some horses there. Peat is squishy and bouncy like a trampoline when it is in the ground, but after it’s laid in the sun, it hardens. It absorbs so well that it was once used for bandages. It was also burned for fuel. From there we went to Kylemore Abbey. At Kylemore Abbey, we walked around, before going to Doo Lough Valley. The National Famine Memorial was there, so we went to see it. The National Famine Memorial is a bronze statue of a ship, with bronze skeletons draped over it. It was built in memory of everyone who died in the Potato Famine. It was really neat!
Soon after, we went to Rockfleet Castle. Rockfleet Castle was Grace O’Malley’s home. Grace O’Malley was/is a famous pirate queen. Then we went to Moyne Friary, where we walked around before heading over to Rosserk Friary. Rosserk Friary is a roofless friary, and it was raining, so we got really wet! After that, we went to our hotel for the night.
TO SEE PICTURES, PLEASE GO TO: http://albums.phanfare.com/1630059/4149398
Ireland Day 8
Day 8 – Wednesday, July 8
We took a tiny plane to Inishmore, one of the Aran Islands. We took a tour of the island with Mr. Patrick Mullen, who showed us around the island. We saw a “leprechaun house” and some adorable donkeys!!! Our first stop was at Dun Aenghus. Dun Aenghus is a stone fortress (grr!) that hangs on the edge of a cliff, 300 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. Fun! Dad hung off the edge – sort of – to get some pictures. Mom, Katherine, and I were all back where it was safe. We came down again, got back in the tour bus, and Mr. Mullen drove us to the Seven Churches, the ruins of 7 churches. From there, we saw various ancient sites around Killeany before taking our plane again. From there we went to our hotel.
TO SEE PICTURES, PLEASE GO TO: http://albums.phanfare.com/1630059/4149398
We took a tiny plane to Inishmore, one of the Aran Islands. We took a tour of the island with Mr. Patrick Mullen, who showed us around the island. We saw a “leprechaun house” and some adorable donkeys!!! Our first stop was at Dun Aenghus. Dun Aenghus is a stone fortress (grr!) that hangs on the edge of a cliff, 300 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. Fun! Dad hung off the edge – sort of – to get some pictures. Mom, Katherine, and I were all back where it was safe. We came down again, got back in the tour bus, and Mr. Mullen drove us to the Seven Churches, the ruins of 7 churches. From there, we saw various ancient sites around Killeany before taking our plane again. From there we went to our hotel.
TO SEE PICTURES, PLEASE GO TO: http://albums.phanfare.com/1630059/4149398
Ireland Day 7
We drove up to Kilfenora and saw the Kilfenora high crosses on Day 7. That was fun. From there, we went to Caherconnell Stone Fort (grr!), and from there to Poulnabrone Dolmen, a 10 foot-high stone structure that was used as a tomb. It was really cool. The basic format was one rock on either side, balancing a third rock on top. ____
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We went to Cormcomroe Abbey, an abbey that we could walk around and look at the different designs on the graves and the walls, which was fun. Afterwards, we went to Doolin again and caught a boat out to see the Cliffs of Moher, since we missed them on Day 6. We hiked around the Cliffs of Moher, which was cool. Afterwards we went to see O’Brien’s Tower, a tower on top of the Cliffs of Moher. After that, we retired to the hotel for the night.
TO SEE PICTURES, PLEASE GO TO: http://albums.phanfare.com/1630059/4149398
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We went to Cormcomroe Abbey, an abbey that we could walk around and look at the different designs on the graves and the walls, which was fun. Afterwards, we went to Doolin again and caught a boat out to see the Cliffs of Moher, since we missed them on Day 6. We hiked around the Cliffs of Moher, which was cool. Afterwards we went to see O’Brien’s Tower, a tower on top of the Cliffs of Moher. After that, we retired to the hotel for the night.
TO SEE PICTURES, PLEASE GO TO: http://albums.phanfare.com/1630059/4149398
Ireland Day 6
We went to Mooghaun hill fort. Mooghaun hill fort is thought to be the biggest hill fort in all of Ireland. Unfortunately, it is another dry-stone fort (grr!). From there, we visited Knappogue Castle, an intact castle that we could walk around. We couldn’t go inside, though.
After that, we went to Quin Friary, a fairly intact friary that we could walk around. Soon, we had to go to Doolin to catch our boat out to Inisheer. Inisheer is the closest of the Aran Islands. We had 3 hours to explore Inisheer before we had to go back to catch the boat back. We wouldn’t have time to see the little castle at the top of the hill, though, so we went back, expecting to go back on the same boat we came in. We watched one boat load. And then it left. And then we realized that we were supposed to be on that boat. The next boat was in a couple hours, so we could go see the castle! We caught another ride back, but that one didn’t go along the Cliffs of Moher like ours would have. Oh well.
From there we went back to our hotel.
TO SEE PICTURES, PLEASE GO TO: http://albums.phanfare.com/1630059/4149398
After that, we went to Quin Friary, a fairly intact friary that we could walk around. Soon, we had to go to Doolin to catch our boat out to Inisheer. Inisheer is the closest of the Aran Islands. We had 3 hours to explore Inisheer before we had to go back to catch the boat back. We wouldn’t have time to see the little castle at the top of the hill, though, so we went back, expecting to go back on the same boat we came in. We watched one boat load. And then it left. And then we realized that we were supposed to be on that boat. The next boat was in a couple hours, so we could go see the castle! We caught another ride back, but that one didn’t go along the Cliffs of Moher like ours would have. Oh well.
From there we went back to our hotel.
TO SEE PICTURES, PLEASE GO TO: http://albums.phanfare.com/1630059/4149398
Ireland Day 5
Day 5 – Sunday, July 5
We visited the Ring of Dingle on the 5th day! We first visited Dun Beag Promontory Fort, yet another dry-stone ring fort (grr!), but let me tell you – if you’ve seen one ring fort (grr!) you’ve seen them all. From there we went to Gallarus Oratory, a Christian Church. Soon after, we went to Cahtair Deargain stone fort (grr!) which was a typical ring fort (grr!). Stone after stone. Wall after wall. Stair after stair. We departed to Kilmalkedar Church, with a collection of carved stones including an Ogham stone and a 7th-8th century stone cross. From there we went to the Reask monastic site, with 10 carved stone blocks. They all had intricate designs: waves, circles, crosses, and swirls.
Then we went to the Fahan beehive huts, which are dry-stone huts in the pattern of a beehive’s. You can walk around and look at the patterns in the walls. Almost at the beginning of the Ring of Dingle again, we finished the Dingle excursion with Gallarus Castle, a four story tower house.
We finished the Ring of Dingle, and went to Ardfert Cathedral and Friary. Ardfert Cathedral and Friary is a cathedral/friary with pillars and crosses and designs. We could walk through it for a while, before departing to Desmond Hall. Desmond Hall was a great banquet hall, and everything is preserved and set up like it would have been then, giving you a clear view of what a banquet might have looked like long ago. After that, we went to Adare Castle and Friary. Adare Castle and Friary is the ruins of a castle, and we walked around for a while before checking into our next hotel for the night.
TO SEE PICTURES, PLEASE GO TO: http://albums.phanfare.com/1630059/4149398
We visited the Ring of Dingle on the 5th day! We first visited Dun Beag Promontory Fort, yet another dry-stone ring fort (grr!), but let me tell you – if you’ve seen one ring fort (grr!) you’ve seen them all. From there we went to Gallarus Oratory, a Christian Church. Soon after, we went to Cahtair Deargain stone fort (grr!) which was a typical ring fort (grr!). Stone after stone. Wall after wall. Stair after stair. We departed to Kilmalkedar Church, with a collection of carved stones including an Ogham stone and a 7th-8th century stone cross. From there we went to the Reask monastic site, with 10 carved stone blocks. They all had intricate designs: waves, circles, crosses, and swirls.
Then we went to the Fahan beehive huts, which are dry-stone huts in the pattern of a beehive’s. You can walk around and look at the patterns in the walls. Almost at the beginning of the Ring of Dingle again, we finished the Dingle excursion with Gallarus Castle, a four story tower house.
We finished the Ring of Dingle, and went to Ardfert Cathedral and Friary. Ardfert Cathedral and Friary is a cathedral/friary with pillars and crosses and designs. We could walk through it for a while, before departing to Desmond Hall. Desmond Hall was a great banquet hall, and everything is preserved and set up like it would have been then, giving you a clear view of what a banquet might have looked like long ago. After that, we went to Adare Castle and Friary. Adare Castle and Friary is the ruins of a castle, and we walked around for a while before checking into our next hotel for the night.
TO SEE PICTURES, PLEASE GO TO: http://albums.phanfare.com/1630059/4149398
Ireland Day 4
Day 4 – Saturday, July 4
We went on a boat trip from Portmagee to go to Skellig Michael. At Skellig Michael, we climbed the 600 steep slate steps to the top. There were puffins everywhere! We saw a man with a device looking for storm petrols, a type of bird that live in holes about 6 inches deep in the ground. From there we went to the Ring of Kerry and saw the Staigue Ring Fort (grr!). It was the first ring fort (grr!) we’d been to, so it was fun. A ring fort (grr!) is a tall ring of stones, stacked together without cement, mortar, or anything else holding it together. Staigue Ring Fort (grr!) ranges 10-18 ft in height, and you can climb to the top and look around. From the top of Staigue, you could see another ring fort (grr!) in the distance. From there, we visited Cahergal Ring Fort (grr!) and Leacanabuaille Ring Fort (grr!). They were all exactly the same. We went back to our hotel.
TO SEE PICTURES, PLEASE GO TO: http://albums.phanfare.com/1630059/4149398
We went on a boat trip from Portmagee to go to Skellig Michael. At Skellig Michael, we climbed the 600 steep slate steps to the top. There were puffins everywhere! We saw a man with a device looking for storm petrols, a type of bird that live in holes about 6 inches deep in the ground. From there we went to the Ring of Kerry and saw the Staigue Ring Fort (grr!). It was the first ring fort (grr!) we’d been to, so it was fun. A ring fort (grr!) is a tall ring of stones, stacked together without cement, mortar, or anything else holding it together. Staigue Ring Fort (grr!) ranges 10-18 ft in height, and you can climb to the top and look around. From the top of Staigue, you could see another ring fort (grr!) in the distance. From there, we visited Cahergal Ring Fort (grr!) and Leacanabuaille Ring Fort (grr!). They were all exactly the same. We went back to our hotel.
TO SEE PICTURES, PLEASE GO TO: http://albums.phanfare.com/1630059/4149398
Ireland Day 3
Day 3 – Friday, July 3
We visited Ardmore early monastic site. The site was basically a cluster of hut-like buildings that monks would use for their worship and studies. We went to Charles Fort soon after, a star fort. We walked around a bit, looking around the ruins, before leaving. We then stopped at Blarney Castle, where we climbed up 108 steep steps to the top. Katherine wanted to kiss the Blarney Stone, so the man grabbed her ankles and lowered her down a small hole in the side of the castle so she was almost facing it. It is built for people who are adult-sized, and an adult would just lean back, kiss the Blarney Stone and sit up again, taking about 5 seconds. Katherine was shorter though, so she had to keep going back to reach it, giving her plenty of time to see the distance between her and the ground. She froze, and said she didn’t want to do it. They pulled her back up, but I decided I didn’t want to do it. We walked around the top, and then went back down. We walked back to the parking lot, to the Blarney Woolen Mills, which was right beside the lot. After that, we went to our hotel for the night.
TO SEE PICTURES, PLEASE GO TO: http://albums.phanfare.com/1630059/4149398
We visited Ardmore early monastic site. The site was basically a cluster of hut-like buildings that monks would use for their worship and studies. We went to Charles Fort soon after, a star fort. We walked around a bit, looking around the ruins, before leaving. We then stopped at Blarney Castle, where we climbed up 108 steep steps to the top. Katherine wanted to kiss the Blarney Stone, so the man grabbed her ankles and lowered her down a small hole in the side of the castle so she was almost facing it. It is built for people who are adult-sized, and an adult would just lean back, kiss the Blarney Stone and sit up again, taking about 5 seconds. Katherine was shorter though, so she had to keep going back to reach it, giving her plenty of time to see the distance between her and the ground. She froze, and said she didn’t want to do it. They pulled her back up, but I decided I didn’t want to do it. We walked around the top, and then went back down. We walked back to the parking lot, to the Blarney Woolen Mills, which was right beside the lot. After that, we went to our hotel for the night.
TO SEE PICTURES, PLEASE GO TO: http://albums.phanfare.com/1630059/4149398
Ireland Day 2
Day 2 – Thursday, July 2
On the second day, we went to Moone High Cross first thing in the morning. It was very cool. It was decorated with all sorts of designs. From there, we went to Jerpoint Abbey, got a Heritage Card, and took a tour around. The monks that used to be there could go into the only heated room for a total of 1 hour a day. But a monk could only be in the room for 10 minutes at a time, which was useless, because as soon as a monk would thaw, he had to go back into the cold again, and freeze all over again! The monks could only eat red meat after a bloodletting – to bring color back to their face. Monks were not allowed to speak, except for the time spent confessing their sins, and the time in which they discussed the meaning of different religious documents. It was very interesting there, because we could see the different saints on the gravestone, and their different symbols. We saw the Ahenny high crosses, the Kilkieran high crosses, and the Killamery High Cross, which were all tall crosses with different biblical designs.
We went to Cahir Castle, and from there we went to the Rock of Cashel with our Heritage Card. The Rock of Cashel is a big castle. I bought a poster of the Rock of Cashel, and we walked around the castle a bit. Then we went back to our hotel for the night.
TO SEE PICTURES, PLEASE GO TO: http://albums.phanfare.com/1630059/4149398
On the second day, we went to Moone High Cross first thing in the morning. It was very cool. It was decorated with all sorts of designs. From there, we went to Jerpoint Abbey, got a Heritage Card, and took a tour around. The monks that used to be there could go into the only heated room for a total of 1 hour a day. But a monk could only be in the room for 10 minutes at a time, which was useless, because as soon as a monk would thaw, he had to go back into the cold again, and freeze all over again! The monks could only eat red meat after a bloodletting – to bring color back to their face. Monks were not allowed to speak, except for the time spent confessing their sins, and the time in which they discussed the meaning of different religious documents. It was very interesting there, because we could see the different saints on the gravestone, and their different symbols. We saw the Ahenny high crosses, the Kilkieran high crosses, and the Killamery High Cross, which were all tall crosses with different biblical designs.
We went to Cahir Castle, and from there we went to the Rock of Cashel with our Heritage Card. The Rock of Cashel is a big castle. I bought a poster of the Rock of Cashel, and we walked around the castle a bit. Then we went back to our hotel for the night.
TO SEE PICTURES, PLEASE GO TO: http://albums.phanfare.com/1630059/4149398
Ireland Day 1
Day 1 – Wednesday, July 1
On the first day of our trip, we went on the Tiny Military Road. What is the Tiny Military Road? Well, it’s exactly what it sounds like: a tiny road. This road was just big enough for our car, but it was long. We crossed the Tiny Military Road to get to Sally Gap. There, we went to an amazing German Military Cemetery for the Germans who washed up on Ireland’s shores after World War II. We could walk around and look at the different gravestones. Then we climbed up to a huge cross overlooking the cemetery. After we finished looking, we got back in the car and we drove to Glendalough.
We parked at the visitor’s center, and planned on buying a Heritage Card there. A Heritage Card lets you go into the places like the visitor’s center for free. Unfortunately, they only took cash, and we didn’t have enough Euros to buy it, and the closest ATM was a while away. We were allowed to saunter through the ruins around a round tower, though.
We got back in the car, and went to look for the Moone High Cross, a 17.5 foot tall cross. We couldn’t find it! We drove around in circles before Dad told me to go out and look at the sign that was covered with plants. It said that Moone High Cross was right down the road. Dad took us to the Cross, but it was too dark, so we found out where the entrance was, and drove back to our hotel for the night.
TO SEE PICTURES, PLEASE GO TO: http://albums.phanfare.com/1630059/4149398
On the first day of our trip, we went on the Tiny Military Road. What is the Tiny Military Road? Well, it’s exactly what it sounds like: a tiny road. This road was just big enough for our car, but it was long. We crossed the Tiny Military Road to get to Sally Gap. There, we went to an amazing German Military Cemetery for the Germans who washed up on Ireland’s shores after World War II. We could walk around and look at the different gravestones. Then we climbed up to a huge cross overlooking the cemetery. After we finished looking, we got back in the car and we drove to Glendalough.
We parked at the visitor’s center, and planned on buying a Heritage Card there. A Heritage Card lets you go into the places like the visitor’s center for free. Unfortunately, they only took cash, and we didn’t have enough Euros to buy it, and the closest ATM was a while away. We were allowed to saunter through the ruins around a round tower, though.
We got back in the car, and went to look for the Moone High Cross, a 17.5 foot tall cross. We couldn’t find it! We drove around in circles before Dad told me to go out and look at the sign that was covered with plants. It said that Moone High Cross was right down the road. Dad took us to the Cross, but it was too dark, so we found out where the entrance was, and drove back to our hotel for the night.
TO SEE PICTURES, PLEASE GO TO: http://albums.phanfare.com/1630059/4149398
Dragon Slippers By: Jessica Day George
Creelisel Carlbrun is a normal country girl. Her mother and father died, and she is left to live with her uncle, her brother Hagen, and her aunt. Her mother’s work had been the only thing providing them with money, so her aunt gives her to the dragon, and tells everyone in the village Carlieff that the dragon had swooped down and snatched her. The lord’s son goes to rescue her, but Creel knows that the son will perish in his valiant attempt to save her from the “evil” dragon. She isn’t just going to wait around for some silly lord’s son to save her. She bargains her way out, taking a pair of blue slippers from the dragon’s hoard. A friendlier dragon helps her find her way to the King’s Seat to find her fortune making embroidered sashes. Once she arrives at the city, she finds that the Crown Prince Milun is getting married to the Princess of Roulain, cruel Amalia. Because of this, there is now a curfew, preventing Creel from getting in to a place for work or a place to stay the night. Fortunately, Prince Luka, Milun’s brother, rescues her from the guard, and leads her to an inn just by the cloth-workers’ district. The next day, the owner of inn leads Creel to the shop. One day, Larkin, a worker, steals Creel’s slippers and gives them to Amalia. Amalia uses the slippers for evil, using their magic against the dragons. With the help of a dead alchemist’s studies and Feniul, a slightly crazy dragon-friend of Shardas’, Creel must stop Amalia and save the dragons and the city… before it’s too late.
Creelisel Carlbrun is a 16 year-old country bumpkin, taken care of by her aunt, uncle, and older brother. Her hair is the color of straw, and straight as straw, too. Her face is freckled. She is very kind to all, and the first human for a while who befriends the dragon. She can see the good in everyone, but can also see evil intent in a plan. Both of her parents are dead. She grew up in Carlieff, where everyone thinks that the dragons sleep on gold and hoard precious items like gold goblets and silver tears.
The story takes place in the King’s Seat. It is modern times, and dragons spend their time far from there. King Milun I was “friends” with the queen of dragons a long time ago, but backstabbed her, killing her and turning her hide into slippers. Blue slippers. They control all dragons. King Milun broke the truce between humans and dragons, so dragons are born with an instinct to avoid humans.
I really enjoyed the book Dragon Slippers. Author Jessica George set a higher bar for all story tales. She really showed the friendship and caring between different species, and showed how just one underestimated girl can break unfair ancient prejudices that everyone claimed were true. Jessica George finds magic in the most unlikely of places, and in this case, she finds magic in a country bumpkin, a valiant prince, and a pair of slippers. This novel mixes betrayal, friendship, and disbelief into an irresistible mix. I would recommend Dragon Slippers to anyone.
Creelisel Carlbrun is a 16 year-old country bumpkin, taken care of by her aunt, uncle, and older brother. Her hair is the color of straw, and straight as straw, too. Her face is freckled. She is very kind to all, and the first human for a while who befriends the dragon. She can see the good in everyone, but can also see evil intent in a plan. Both of her parents are dead. She grew up in Carlieff, where everyone thinks that the dragons sleep on gold and hoard precious items like gold goblets and silver tears.
The story takes place in the King’s Seat. It is modern times, and dragons spend their time far from there. King Milun I was “friends” with the queen of dragons a long time ago, but backstabbed her, killing her and turning her hide into slippers. Blue slippers. They control all dragons. King Milun broke the truce between humans and dragons, so dragons are born with an instinct to avoid humans.
I really enjoyed the book Dragon Slippers. Author Jessica George set a higher bar for all story tales. She really showed the friendship and caring between different species, and showed how just one underestimated girl can break unfair ancient prejudices that everyone claimed were true. Jessica George finds magic in the most unlikely of places, and in this case, she finds magic in a country bumpkin, a valiant prince, and a pair of slippers. This novel mixes betrayal, friendship, and disbelief into an irresistible mix. I would recommend Dragon Slippers to anyone.
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