Some Irish Experiences
Having been in the South West of Ireland for over a week, we are, without a doubt, in a land that speaks to us both. While we haven’t directly encountered the faeries yet, we are enchanted nevertheless. The warmth of the people, the startling varied greens of the land, the fantastic array of local foods to prepare, and, around every corner...truly every single corner, there is a surprise. Whether it is a cluster of sheep dotting the hills, at times hard to distinguish from the rocks lying about, or a craggy rock face jutting out over the sea, or the ruins of abbeys and stone circles and ancient standing stones, or the sailboats floating in every bay and harbour...it is a magic land for sure, and we are taking the time to explore it. Lots of it on foot, but often too in the car.
After an amazing cliff side walk to what felt like the tip of the world today, we found ourselves heading home on a strangely abandoned road. Far more narrow than all the other narrow roads, grass growing up in the centre to rough up the undercarriage, and the cliffs to the left, and the hills to the right and noone in sight but the odd walker or the sheep and the birds calling overhead. (Did ye know that if you hold your shoulders tight about yer ears, and hold your breath it does not actually keep the car on the road nor make it smaller so other cars can pass coming along the other way?) Tim is becoming expert at shifting gears rapidly as the hills rise and fall, laughing and shaking his head in wonder that driving itself is such an adventure. Even on this seemingly lost road, we would suddenly come upon a beautiful stone house, well loved and tended, with the resident farmer out collecting eggs or tending some business or other.
It is a great pleasure to arrive back at our lovely home here to enjoy a cup of tea and a hot shower, and the neighbouring sounds of the sheep and the cows in the field next door.
After an amazing cliff side walk to what felt like the tip of the world today, we found ourselves heading home on a strangely abandoned road. Far more narrow than all the other narrow roads, grass growing up in the centre to rough up the undercarriage, and the cliffs to the left, and the hills to the right and noone in sight but the odd walker or the sheep and the birds calling overhead. (Did ye know that if you hold your shoulders tight about yer ears, and hold your breath it does not actually keep the car on the road nor make it smaller so other cars can pass coming along the other way?) Tim is becoming expert at shifting gears rapidly as the hills rise and fall, laughing and shaking his head in wonder that driving itself is such an adventure. Even on this seemingly lost road, we would suddenly come upon a beautiful stone house, well loved and tended, with the resident farmer out collecting eggs or tending some business or other.
It is a great pleasure to arrive back at our lovely home here to enjoy a cup of tea and a hot shower, and the neighbouring sounds of the sheep and the cows in the field next door.
I am so so happy that you are having the holiday we had X 2 (in time) and at the same time, you are having the exact holiday I dreamed of having if we ever went back in retirement (truly my dream). It is so special a place and you describe it beautifully and so accurately; I loved it as much as I thought I would, and was so excited to find a land exactly as I expected it to be from all the Maeve Binchy I'd read as a young girl-woman, and all the movies I'd seen set in that green land. On the one hand, I miss it terribly when I read these posts and see the photos, however on the other, it is just an instigation to put Eire back up on the "to visit" list once again. So glad you are enjoying it so much. The land of amazing literature, beer and music does seem quite a perfect fit for you both. Much love on your birthday my sweet sister, xoxoDeb.
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