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My youngest and I took the 'Prew Crew' to Blarney Castle yesterday.  A lovely family, they are.  The children are absolute sweethearts and we saw a different side to 'Dad' during the trip, but I'll let him fill you in on that side of things.   Despite all the rain during their week, the two families got on with it and had a lovely time together. 

So, Blarney Castle was our port of call.  I went to the top maybe 10 years ago and swore, 'never again'.  And up to now I haven't.  On the drive to the Castle, I was trying to remember why I've refused for so long, but couldn't.  When we arrived, 4 wee faces were looking up at me and I knew they wouldn't (shouldn't) go up on their own.  Wouldn'ts, couldn'ts and shouldn'ts are things I try to avoid when showing kids a good time.  For the first time in many years, I was stood in line with the rest, on the way to the top.  It didn't look so big. 

(http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w45/manateeshockey/blogpictures/blarney_castle.jpg)

The 4 kids were dreading the long wait until they realised how truly frightened I was.  All week long, they'd watched a happy go lucky nutter bopping around the place and now she was turned to mush.  Granted, I kept a smile on the face, but man oh man.  Fear...of the highest degree. 

Kids will be kids.  Sometimes they laugh and play and other times they want to be first, best or whatever...and will take out anyone who gets in their way to reaching that goal.  Well let me tell you.  With each winding step, my fears grew and their need to be first to the top slipped away.  The four of them took each step with me, asking was I okay along the way.  No notice of the huge gap between us and the group ahead.  No notice of the large line forming behind.  Kept smiling and thanked them for being so good, but man were my legs shaking.  Tiny steps, damp from rain, nowhere to land if you slipped...except on the people behind you.  Great stuff.

(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/163/385155461_8b16d59d3a.jpg)

Finally, we reached the top and the memories came rushing back.  I was absolutely terrified.  Heights and I don't get along, you see.  But I had to keep it together.  I was in charge of 4 children.  At the top of a fecking castle.  Sigh. 

You walk along a wee path on the edge.  OK.  Maybe the path wasn't THAT small, but it was to me.  Anyway, to your right, a few metal bars - a hand rail.  On the other side of that railing, a few stories drop down through the centre of the Castle.  Thanks very much.  People were hanging over the edge of the wee bars to have a better look down below.  Has the world gone mad?!  On your left - to most people it's probably a spectacular view.  To me, open air...and eventually the ground.  Brilliant altogether.   

(http://www.bracksco.com/personal/travel/ireland/blarney2.jpg)

We walked along that edge until we reached the spot where the two lads took their turn kissing the Blarney Stone.  The girls didn't want to.  Can't say I blame them.  I didn't do it either.  Seriously.  Who wants to hang upside down to kiss some stone, with so much space between you and the ground?  Apart from the millions who have done it before, of course.  Pack of lunatics.  I don't need 'Gift of the Gab' anyway.  Pretty sure I've that well covered. 

(http://www.sheilashostel.ie/newsite/images/attractions/blarney.png)

Delighted to have accomplished their task, the kids now wanted to tear road down the second set of winding stairs so they could check out the different views along the way.  Great stuff.  I'm all for getting the hell out of here.  Except that 'down' was harder to manage than 'up'.  Of course.  Sigh.  While 3 of the kids headed off, Tighty Junior walked every step of the way down -  right with me.  Smiling all the way as he was the 'big man' helping.  Bless.  Probably hiding hysterical fits of laughter too as the line behind us grew, but I didn't care.  Was still delighted he was there.  Thank you wee man for looking after me. 

Got to the bottom and collected the lad's photos.  They couldn't wait to show Dad.  I couldn't wait to get to the nearest pub.  The legs were still shaking.

So that was Blarney Castle.  We got to the top and survived.  But I promise I'll never go to the top again.  Honest.  Don't look at me like that.  I won't do it!   

Anyone else around here have a serious fear of something?  Doesn't have to be heights.  Anything at all.  How do you deal with it or do you just avoid the thing that turns you to mush?

Great post , Great pics and great kids by the sounds of it

Ugg makes me feel tense just looking at those pictures.

Great post Laxie... Sounds like all had a good time

me too - I'm rubbish with heights (ok if I'm in an enclosed space though).  Biggest thing for me was doing a 300ft bungee jump from a cage over the river thames.  Kept my eyes shut all the way up and only opened them at the last second before I threw myself off, followed by a string of expletives that I'm sure I never even knew before.  Felt an amazing sense of achievement afterwards, all the more so because of my fear of heights I think, but it hasn't cured it - I had to abandon a walk up a small hill with my daughter halfway up the other weekend (much to her annoyance!), and I get dizzy just climbing to the top of a step ladder, or looking down the tunnel at a tube station :)

Well done Laxie!!!!

lol Nice stuff Laxie. Glad to see middle child has some redeeming qualities!

my "leg" is now better, tyvm!  :D

Nice report, and great photos! :)

What is the rope for in the picture of the staircase? Is that incase you slip you can grab on to that while you are falling?

I also hate heights. I did a solo parachute jump in 1997 to try and get me over it. Having never flown before at that time, it was also the first time I'd been in a plane too. Probably one of the most exciting things I've ever done. Whilst I'm in no way religious, I'd say once the parachute opens and you're floating on the way down, and all you can hear is the sound of the wind against the overhead canopy, is the closest I've ever come to a religious experience.

I went back again for a second jump, but it was too foggy, so it was called off. I took that as a sign, and haven't been back since.

And I still hate heights.

WOW terrified of heights and silence, No luck for you.......

The rope is their version of a handrail - as there's no space for a proper one.  Fk my life!!

No blinking way you'd EVER see me hanging from a parachute.  And if you do...call the cops.  I was pushed for sure.

Not sure what you mean?...  ;carlocitrone;

The stone has lost it's powers since Laxie kissed it. Corks economy is down the tubes. The stone has met its match

'Laxie's mere presence' possibly causing trouble for the Stone, but I definitely didn't kiss the it.   rotflmfao

Laxie doesn't kiss the blarney stone, the blarney stone longs to kiss Laxie.

why is the stone so black where everyone kisses it?

Beautiful pictures, lovely tale.

But that picture of the stone staircase has sent the willies right through me.  I'm shaking just looking at it.

I used to love castles and all that stuff as a kid, and when my kids were younger ( a good few years ago now ) I'd happily take them up those steps to the top of the keep in any old ruin.  

Then one day I got about 2/3 of the way up something a lot smaller than yours and just couldn't go any further.  But because of all the people behind you you have to.  Fear's stupid isn't it.  Can't go up, can't go down.  

Something I'd totally forgotten about, then one picture brings it all back.

I've worked it out though.  I don't have a fear of heights.  It's a fear of falling and totally mashing my bones up on impact that scares the bejesus out of me.

I'd guess moulds and bacteria have done that over time.

 rotflmfao  The last sentence just had me in fits of giggles!!!


That's actually cleaned regularly which is why the stone there is black, where the rest is grey and speckled.

Strange but true............. I served as an Air Sea Rescue Winchman in the Royal Navy & as the job required, I dangled under the helicopter on a bloody wire in all sorts of dangerous situations & never batted an eyelid (well may be once or twice)........... but when I climb a ladder to a height of more than about six feet I'm crapping myself.... :dontask:

I can ride the tallest of roller coasters without blinking an eye, but can't climb a ladder either.  Wonder if it's because we're kind of 'strapped in' that we feel safe on one occasion, but not the other?

I'm the same.  Could always climb trees, but ladders scared the hell out of me.

Respect to people who can race up and down ladders without a care in the world.

Most things i can get over.. but insects - - euch I have the most irrational fear. If anyone has any tips for getting over crawly creepy things then please post!

You seem to cope OK with Rodney. ;)

Cheeky!!!!!!