Can opener not required

Day to day life is about the little things, here are some of those that are different

In the kitchen:
cans: the cans all have pull tops so no can opener required

yogurt: not fruit on the bottom, its fruit on the side. The upside is you don't get the handle of your spoon covered as you try and mix

coffee: as maybe mentioned in previous posts, instant is king. Upside no coffee maker
potato crisps (chips): They don't have big american bags. When you buy a big bag it is just a bag containing 6 mini bags (the US snack size)

Elsewhere:
newspapers: All magazine style (1 fold on side), I have heard the Oregonian recently switched. Once you get used to it it does make for an easier to handle the paper.
kids magazines: like National Geographic Kids, Highlights, etc... every one has a toy. Will kids not read without a toy?
shopping carts: all require coins to use, (you get back, the coin is like one of those locker room locks)
Taxis : only Ireland will you a taxi line at the mall
floors: first floor is the second floor. Ground floor is the first
Front door knobs: in the US knobs are on the side of door, in Ireland the door knob is right in the middle of the door
Inside rooms: In Ireland every room has a keyed door (including most closets and bathrooms). we have a key at our house for every room door that is 12 interior keys. Key is on both sides (not a key on 1 side switch on the other ).

there are many more , but of course they are all mostly natural to us now.

Rob

I know a Lady...

Today I had an amazing experience.  I was given a private tour of Dunsany Castle in County Meath by none other than the Lady Dunsany herself.  Just the Lady and myself spending two hours in a leisurely stroll through her family's current home.  I described it to Rob this way:  "you know how we get tours through great houses and castles and see all the beautiful furniture and artwork behind the velvet ropes? Well, in this tour there were no ropes."

Original artwork from the 17th century, weapons used to defend the castle against Cromwell's attack, and family photos of Lady and Lord Dunsany and their two sons all mixed together in amazing rooms with 20 foot ceilings and hand carved wood and plasterwork.  In the dining room I asked Lady Dunsany if she ever ate there.  "Sure," she said and pointed to a slightly smaller square table in the room "this is the breakfast table".  At which point she rubbed at a teacup ring on the wood.  Sadly, because of the staggering collection of priceless pieces, I could not take photos of the interior.  Lady Dunsany said that security was an issue for them. She doesn't want pictures of what is there to be stolen posted all over Facebook.  Seemed silly to me until we got past the foyer.  Then I understood.  Standing next to an original Van Dyke from the 17th century I understood why she wouldn't want photos all over the web.  This is what the place looked like from the outside.

Lady Dunsany invited me to return next summer and to bring Rob and the kids next time.  She's so nice.  

Sarah