Just another dry day in Co Wicklow

Have I told you about parking in Carnew? It's unlike most other small towns in that the residents and I suppose, the visitors as well, have mastered the art of creative parking. The main street poses a particular challenge where it narrows. More of that in a minute.

The street where I'm staying is a two-way street. There is room for two cars to pass if there are no cars parked. Often, cars are parked with two wheels on the sidewalk, leaving a little more room on the driving surface, as my rental car is now. Two small cars could still pass, slowly, by mine. Usually, there are gaps between the cars parked, mostly, along the side where I am. Those gaps provide excellent shelter for vehicles when an approaching car is using the oncoming lane. Most of the time, it works like a charm. Without even thinking about it, a little slalom move here and there keeps everyone safe.

However, there are no restrictions. You may park on either side. Yesterday morning as I looked out the living room window, with my own vehicle in plain view, a car parked directly opposite. There were no cars in front of or behind that new interloper. The driver could have pulled up or reversed one car length or more so that the slalom pattern would not be disturbed. Oh no, she had to park right there.

Fortunately, no really large trucks or vans decided to come this way. My grey Hyundai remained remarkably unscathed.

And now we come to the main street. There is parking on both sides, and there is enough room for two vehicles to safely pass as they go in opposing directions. Toss in a bit of convenient double parking at least once a day, preferably close to one of the ramps (speed bumps/traffic calming humps). It's probably to challenge the patience of drivers waiting to proceed safely around those who are just running into the shop for a moment or chatting through open car windows to the neighbour who is legally parked. 

And then there's the spot where the road narrows, and turns, and parking is still permitted on both sides. This area has no designated parking spots. Carnew is a truck route. When cars are parked on both sides at that spot, it's a case of who is the more aggressive driver coming from one direction or the other. There's only room for one vehicle, and even large trucks have to pass through the eye of the needle.  Ridiculous. I'd drive out of town and walk rather than park my car on either side there. I'm just too timid I suppose.

Yesterday afternoon a little anecdote revealed the meaning of "no parking" indicators. A visitor asked what a yellow line on the curb meant. The answer, "no parking." What does a double yellow line mean, then? And the reply. "really, really do NOT park there."  Carnew's corner needs triple yellow lines and a bylaw enforcer with his ticket-writing pen ready to go. 

My daytime sortie was to visit Susan Byrne for lunch. They have a long narrow driveway up the side of a hill from the road. To warn visitors to be careful, Damian has put up signs like "no passing" and "bike lane closed." They have an enchanting property with a fabulous view. Over the years, the garden has expanded and even includes an area of Standing Stones. I did not tempt fate and walk into the centre. If you are an Outlander fan, you'll know why. 

The Standing Stones with a Dolman in the centre

I took a few photos of various vignettes they've created. And one sign that tells you where in the world you are relative to many other places.

Just a lovely little daffodil

Old implements from the Dempseys who originally lived there

How far from here to there?

The rest of the afternoon was spent reading. The evening was spent watching "The Lonesome West" by Mark McDonagh. It's apparently part of a trilogy. It's set in Connemara and almost all of the action takes place inside the home of two bachelor brothers. One had "accidentally" shot their miserable father and the other's testimony kept him out of jail. The "good" brother became the sole heir by agreement, and he was tight with his money, spending most on "figurines" of religious figures. His name was Valene and he marked everything he bought with a large V. This included the furniture and his collection. The arguments were both funny and petty. When Valene was out, his brother Coleman collected a potful of the fibreglass figurines and baked them in the much-loved stove that Valene had paid 300 pounds for. All in all a great production. 

I'm off in a few minutes to join a couple of friends for brunch in Arklow. I hope that Ms Google is in good humour today. I will take the route via Gorey and use the motorway. We are going to Coffee 4 U, and apparently, their food is very tasty, with pancakes a specialty. I have not yet eaten, saving myself for a guilt-free meal. I hope their Lattes are good too. Or maybe I'll have a Cappucino or just a Flat White. The only thing I'm sure of is I won't order tea.