Flat Amy and Flat Ala's Journal Entry from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley, California

Since we live right near the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and had NEVER even been to it ourselves, we thought we'd bring our visitors along to check it out. 

 That's not a REAL horse but they had fun posing anyway!

 Standing in front of the California State Flag on display.

 Making a speech with Flat Amy-this is a kind of re-enactment activity of Reagan's inaugural address. 

 This exhibit shows exactly how the Oval Office looked during the Reagan Administration.

There is a replica of "Checkpoint Charlie", the checkpoint between the former East and West Berlin. 

And here's Air Force One, which is house in a humongous hangar. 

Check out the vintage presidential limousine.

Outside the library there is a piece of the Berlin Wall, which came down in 1991 when the former Soviet Union collapsed.  Some people credit President Reagan for these events.  Regardless, it's a good thing it did come down, and it's pretty cool to see. 

Flat Ala and Flat Amy's First Journal Entry from Santa Susana, California

First we took Flat Amy to Niamh's swimming class.  She is enjoying the warm weather.

Next we took them to see the old train depot. Santa Susana is a Spanish place name-but look at the signs on the depot! It is spelled two different ways.  How confusing!

Welcome to Santa Susana Flat Alexandra and Flat Amy!

With Flat Alexandra, who's over visiting all the way from Drogheda, County Louth, Ireland.

And Flat Amy, who is also here from Drogheda.  Both Flat girls attend St. Mary's National School in Ballsgrove.  We are going to have lots of fun showing them around! Check back for some updates!

A Postcard from Flat Niamh and Flat Clara in Maui

Flat Niamh and Flat Clara have sent a PostCard to the Branigan Sisters.

Journal Entry from Belfast, Northern Ireland

Niamh and Clara joined Céire and Odhrán on a trip to the city of Belfast this week. Belfast is home to Harland and Wolfe, the company who built the Titanic. The ship was built in Belfast port.

After spending lots of sterling in the shops we took a walk around the grounds of Queens University. Odhrán graduated here in 2008. The university is over 150 years old. It offers students a variety of courses, it has a large medical education department.

Later that evening the girls went to Nando's for dinner. Followed by a comedy club.

This weekend Belfast is hosting the MTV music awards. The city is awash with free concerts and entertainment for the event.

Aloha from Flat Niamh and Flat Clara: A Journal Entry from Haiku and Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii

 Flat Niamh and Flat Clara are on their way back from Maui now, just in time for the real Niamh and Clara to head there.  We'll be bringing along our own flat guests who are visiting from Ireland and show them some of the local points of interest!  Here are some of the highlights of Flat Niamh and Flat Clara's visit:

The huge Banyan tree takes up a whole block in downtown Lahaina!

Here's the old wall in Lahaina:

Flat Niamh and Flat Clara's Journal Entry from Derry City, Derry, Northern Ireland

Niamh and Clara enjoyed an afternoon in the city of Derry today. This is their second time crossing the border into Northern Ireland. Derry is a walled town. The Normans built walls around their towns as a means of defense. Niamh and Clara took a stroll around the walls with Céire and Odhrán..

From the walls you get a great view of the city including the Bogside. This area is infamous with Bloody Sunday and the troubles . Thankfully today it is much more peaceful. You can vaguely make out the murals on the walls of some of the buildings.

  

The Guildhall is a beautiful building . It is located near the River Foyle in the heart of the city, just outside the walls and dates from 1887.

The Guildhall hosts monthly Council Meetings along with an occasional musical recital. Behind the building, along the river, sits Derry Quay, a popular point of departure for many of those who emigrated to America in the 18th and 19th centuries.