Great day from start to finish

I took a new route to Bunclody, having guessed the direction I should go. And for once in my direction-confused life, I didn't get lost. The route was correct. And it saved me time. And, get this, I came back on different roads and ended up at this cottage. They must be skating in hell because would not happen before hell froze over.

I shopped for this evening's gathering and not wanting anyone to go hungry, I rather overdid it. The leftovers will more than last me for the days I have left. Good thing I like ham sandwiches. My landlord here even came over with a bottle of wine and a tray of the lightest fluffiest scones I've ever tasted, complete with whipped cream, butter and jam. He stayed and chatted for a while and then went off to his set dancing class.

Kathleen brought me half a dozen fresh eggs from their hens for breakfast.

Photos were taken this evening and I won't be able to post them for a bit. The wifi signal seems to have gone to sleep or at least is too weak to transfer photos. Maybe I'll have a good enough signal in the morning to post them. 

Mary Harte, our 99 year old matriarch, who's become almost a hermit, came too. And towards the end of the evening she sang us three old traditional Irish folk songs. There's little doubt in my mind that she will still be motoring along on her 100th birthday in April. She was the liveliest of the bunch when they were leaving. She seemed reluctant to get in her niece's car.

Tomorrow I'm off to Castlecomer to visit the library and to visit with a woman who is a local historian who can possibly shed some light on my Kilkenny ancestral families. It would be amazing to find more connections but I've come to expect that sort of good luck here. Must be the shamrocks.

So - a short post today and I'm heading for bed. It's nearly midnight and my eyes are at half mast.