Rain? Fog? Chilly? don't believe that what you see will last

 Well, they say in Ireland if you don't like the weather just wait a while and it will change. So, since I know that, why did we cancel our golf game today? Heavy rain, poor visibility, lousy temperatures with a bit of a breeze ... seemed like good enough reasons.  Rescheduled for the same time tomorrow.

Mistake!! We did a bit of grocery shopping in Bunclody and drove to the golf course there to check it out. The chaps in the pro shop were also predicting that the rain which had stopped and the breeze which had died down, would soon return. Nope - it cleared up, was even sunny much of the time. What a wasted opportunity to embarrass myself on the course. But we did book a tee time at Bunclody for Thursday. No matter the forecast or the morning outlook we will show up for that 1 pm time.

Eventually, we had to wend our way back to the Lodge. I know the way from Bunclody via Clonegal and back here. Hah! Somewhere along the route I missed a turn and found myself in unknown territory. But the scenery was nice and the weather had cleared up. My reputation for getting lost remains intact. Is that a good or bad thing? Once we arrived in Ardattin I knew that just carrying on along the same road would bring us to Tullow. And it did! 

From there we easily found our way back, without stopping at Rathwood for a tasty morsel and great potential for retail therapy. 

Donal dropped in to give us some eggs laid by the hens that call Minmore Mews home. Fresh this morning. 

After having lunch around 2:30 we spent a while searching online for more golf opportunities. Finally, we admitted that we were wasting a lovely day. So - where to go and what to do. A walk was definitely in order.

Destination: Tomnafinoge Woods. It's only a short drive from here so off we went. This time we explored a trail I had not followed on earlier trips and had a great walk along the side of the stream/river. We were surprised when we looked across and saw a deer who was equally interested in us. She almost posed until she got a bit bored and loped off into the trees. I mused that it would be nice if she'd return to a more open area so we could get a better photo. Well, she must be a psychic deer because a couple of hundred yards later, there she was again. This time she brought a friend and they both posed in a location where a better photo was possible. Thank you to the local wildlife.

At that point, my camera (phone) decided that it didn't want me looking at the screen and dimmed to the point I thought it had up and died. Maybe it was jealous of my interest in the animals. Eventually, I squinted sufficiently to see a very hazy image and realized that somehow, a series of bumps while in my coat pocket must have resulted in the setting being altered. So Pat had to take over as photographer and her pictures of the deer are the ones you'll see at the end of my ramblings today.

I can hardly find those settings when I'm trying to change something on the phone. How can I "pocket change" settings? Ah well, these things are sent to try us.

Dinner was the leftovers from dinner in Ashford, with a couple of baked potatoes along with broccoli and cauliflower. Easy! Wait, we couldn't operate the stove. We searched for hidden buttons and switches and finally sent a text to Donal who showed up moments later. The stove burns are gas - and the tank had run dry. The oven was electric and you have to set the timer before you turn on the oven to warm up. That process was a new one for me. But now we know. 

Plans for a visit to Egan's pub for a pint of the black stuff were snuffed out. They are now only open on weekends. So we made a sacrifice and consumed the wine and beer we have on hand instead. When life hands you lemons, make lemonade, or in our case a trip to the fridge.

It's now nigh on time to consider calling it a day so I'll upload a few pictures for your viewing pleasure and a respite from my ramblings.

OK, so I got no cooperation between the phone and laptop for transferring photos. 

I did get these two transferred from Pat.

First glimpse of the white-tailed deer

And this is where she brought a friend

Post script

I came down with what was probably food poisoning at about 10 pm on Tuesday night. I won't share the disgusting details. Today I was able to sip water and have just finished a small plain cracker. It's only 8 pm and for me, that's bedtime today. I plan to miraculously recover completely by tomorrow as we've got a tee time at Bunclody at 1 PM.

Pat was able to play golf today thanks to a ride to the course from our Minmore Host, Donal. She played with Jim Byrne and had a great time and played well. Loved the course at Coollattin. Jim drove her back after their game.