Yesterday was a big day. I dropped the kids at the airport and picked up cousin Paddy. What I also dropped was my role as chauffeur. Paddy is happy to drive as she has experience driving on the left and is happy enough with a manual transmission. Reverse gear is a bit balky but she will overcome! Yay! I have gotten to enjoy the scenery between Dublin and Bunclody and it really is spectacular. Every other time I've done that drive I've been at the wheel. I really am enjoying this role 'riding shotgun'.
Once we picked up our Nissan Micra, we headed to Ashford as has become our tradition. Mary of course had cooked up a storm and prepared a great roast beef dinner with carrots, cabbage and the requisite two types of potatoes. Once again my serving was much more than I could eat. There were a few dessert options but I managed to get by without ending the meal with something sweet. That's a first. I did enjoy a wee drop of warmed up Port. Tasty!
Kathy Doyle happened to be visiting from Carnew, as a friend had brought her up. Her friend had to pick up her son so we offered to drive Kathy back home and then went in for tea and a biscuit. Now I am not a 'black' tea drinker. My tea of choice is always herbal. And of course I carry a teabag in my purse. So I had a cuppa too.
From there we drove to Moss Cottage where we've happily settled in. Today was a slow day - I needed a break from travelling and Paddy recovered from jet lag and the overnight flight.
We did some grocery shopping, had our dinner about 4 after a miniscule breakfast around 9 so if we hadn't eaten then I might have started chomping on the cutlery. Once the groceries were put away, and dinner plates were housed in the dishwasher, we went outside and explored the beautiful gardens here. Our hosts have a fabulous garden and I'm finally seeing it in a season other than winter. Our supper was mint tea with a piece of dark chocolate.
We did spend some time exchanging family information. We have known each other, mostly through Facebook after one meeting, and are getting along great. Still so much info to share. She has already solved one mystery for me. Imagine the data I might uncover in three weeks!!!
All in all it was a very satisfactory day. Our tour was just of the garden and a brief wander down the hill towards, but not into the town. We shall venture farther afield on the morrow. Kilkenny awaits on Thursday.
So far the weather forecast looks very favourable. Fingers crossed the weather folks are getting it right.
The photos have finally started uploading to facebook so I shall add a few here. The process is not very efficient but my phone/camera doesn't talk to my computer. Here is a small selection from a few days ago:
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| Braden at Donegal Castle |
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| Olivia and Braden at the Dark Hedges |
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| A Fairy House somewhere between the Dark Hedges and Glenariff Forest Park |
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| This was our first view of Donegal Castle |
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