A rare morning musing

Though sleep usually eludes me, last night with a mere 1/4 of a sleeping pill, I had a solid 8 hours and awoke refreshed. One of the problems is that this duvet, with no top sheet, is very very warm. I did open the window a crack. Any further and it might admit the rain.

A cup of coffee (not the best I ever made) has completed the arising ritual. The laundry has been put away, having finished drying on a rack in the cottage overnight. An hour in the tumble dryer was not quite long enough for the small load. 

Now as we gaze out the window we wonder how long it will take before we can see further than the car.

view from the front door

There's no evidence that the Easter bunny knew where we were so alas, no supply of chocolate has been deposited here. Fear not, we do have an ample supply of chocolate to satisfy the addiction.

Our plan for today is a tour of the Wicklow Brewery at Redcross, followed by a meal at Mickey Finn's pub at the same location. How else would one celebrate Easter? 

https://wicklowbrewery.ie/mickey-finns-pub/

The only other time I was at Redcross was when I was supposed to be in Ashford. I wonder where we'll end up today. But this time, we are using google maps and so far we have not exactly been led astray. We have been led via the L roads - those narrow strips of asphalt too narrow to bother with a centre line. They are better than boreens - dirt roads with a strip of grass in the middle. But the views along the way are always worth a look.

Our brewery tour is not until 2 pm and we will leave much earlier than should be required. You do recall my penchant for, um, choosing alternate routes, don't you? And if the fog is late lifting it could be a very interesting drive.

Until later ...

A letdown yesterday but a huge pickup today

I've got to learn to forget about the forecast and just get out. After our golf game on Thursday, remarkably, we could move freely on Friday. Nobody was more amazed than I. I had been exercising but not golfing since October. 

The weather wasn't looking good on Friday morning, I was still very tired because habitual insomnia has followed me here. Still, it was time to drag the body into action and go somewhere. It doesn't rain inside the car. And in the end, it didn't rain OUTSIDE the car either.

We settled on Enniscorthy and the National 1798 Rebellion Centre as the destination du jour. The chat we had with the person on duty was quite interesting about the various flags flying outside. What I found interesting was the Canadian flag and the Irish flag of today were proudly wafting in the breeze. The other flags (US, Australia and oh my I forget the rest) were those from the time of the rebellion. 

Additionally, there was a County Wexford flag which is purple and yellow. The jerseys worn by the sports teams are yellow in front, hence the players are known as "yellow bellies". You learn something every day. Some days you even learn something important. I'll let you, my gentle readers, determine the importance of my "new fact for the day".

We bought our senior rate tickets and started our tour. As you move from room to room the audio, sometimes a video, is triggered by a motion sensor. The previous visits I'd made were at quiet times and there were no other patrons around. It was perfect. This time, there was a rather loudly chatty group ahead of us and their audio presentations were on when ours were, making understanding what we were attempting to hear, more than a little tricky. One chap in the group ahead was, or thought he was, well-versed in Irish history and added his own dialogue. Arrgghhh. We skipped ahead of them when we could. It would be much better if visitors had individual audio guides where you could press a button corresponding with the scenario you are viewing. Note to self, perhaps a friendly little message to the venue.

We stopped in Bunclody on the way home and picked up a rotisserie chicken and some salad at SuperValue, which made a very satisfying supper. The quantity of food I've been eating since the "attack" on Tuesday night, is really minimal and I fear a return of a greater appetite. In fact there were signs today. 

Our evenings are so exciting I can't bear to describe them. We are both equipped with laptop computers. Enough said.

With better living through chemistry, I had a long solid night's sleep and awoke feeling great again this morning. Pat called The Burrows links course in Rosslare and booked us a tee time for 12. And we were off on the hourlong drive. 

Thanks to Google maps, the journey was straightforward and uneventful. No sign of the traffic van that likes to increase the Irish GDP by catching folks who miss seeing it as they whiz by over the speed limit. Running our borrowed Prius in Eco mode means that the speed limit is something we only dream about reaching. No fear of tickets for us. I've started putting it in Power Mode when we come to a hill, otherwise we're in danger of slipping backwards. But don't misunderstand, I'm so hugely grateful to Mary and Oliver for lending me their vehicle. We decided to top up just before reaching Rosslare and now we've got a full tank to fuel our adventures.

We mistakenly parked and tried to check-in at the Rosslare Golf Club which owns The Burrows links course and learned that we had about another kilometre to go before our destination. Noted - and off we went again. 

After checking in, paying our green fees and shelling out €2 for a very basic pull cart we were ready to roll. Pat suggested "just in case" that we don our rain gear before teeing off. Thank you, Pat. It wasn't long before the Irish mist rolled in and lasted for 10 holes. The course is a strange 12-holes long. The true Irish links experience was what we got on the final two holes. It had been merely windy and a bit moist up to that point. And then the heavens opened and the winds of hell swept in from the very nearby sea. 

Our foursome included two very nice young men who lived in the area. They became our course guides and we had a wonderful time - despite the weather at the end.

We warmed up with 2 hot coffees, a soft drink and a Guinness. Pat maintained her traditional game-ending choice of beverage. You figure out which one that was.

By this time breakfast was long in the past, we completed more than our 10,000 steps, so we headed to Arklow for some dinner. It was farther than I'd thought, but long story short, it only took one phone call to a friend who lives in that town, to learn that our best choice for food the was the Arklow Bay Hotel. There were weddings going on and but staff found us a great table in the dining room, we ordered up our drinks, our fish and chips (and mushy peas), and the service was fantastic. 

The drive back to our cottage was uneventful and truly scenic.  Google maps thought we had had enough of roads with lines painted on them, so we were mostly on "L" roads. Let's just say they are narrow and you only meet oncoming cars on the corners. The odd straightaways, up to 100 metres between turns, are always free of oncoming traffic.

Once arriving on the Gorey-Carnew road we no longer needed Ms. Google and shut her down. I can only tolerate a device telling me where to go, for short periods of time.

We're back, wet rain gear has dried out, laundry has been washed and most is almost finished in the dryer. And another day comes to a close.

We took a few pictures - and here they are for your viewing pleasure.

Am I aimed in the right direction? Is that our green waaaaay up there?

No comments on the form, please. It's hard to swing wearing several layers of cosy clothing and a non-stretch rain suit.

True view of a links course - can't see the wind but oh my how it blew

Gorse abounds on this course

Selfie time on the 10th tee

Pat enjoying the day

Between soft and hard bouts of rain, I took off the rain jacket oh so briefly

On the course again

After not touching a golf club for 6 months I had low expectations for today's golf game at Bunclody. I was not contradicted in that by how I hit the ball. It got better after a few holes. We had no warm-up, which should be compulsory in the mind of every golfer. 

Because I hadn't eaten much yesterday - two crackers - I wasn't exactly well fortified but managed two pieces of toast for breakfast. We decided to take a power cart, or buggy as they are called here. Well, this was a wonderful upgrade from other buggies I've used - quiet, nicely cushioned and sparkling clean. We took care of that sparkling look with the wet grass and dirt from our shoes. 

It was a bit of a drive to the first tee, and indeed, there was often quite a distance between one green and the next tee. We only got lost once, choosing the wrong one of the two paths that seemed to head off in the direction indicated. As a result, we got to meet two foursomes of gentlemen golfers. The first group pointed to an area up ahead, indicating that we were on the right path. So we proceeded and encountered another group, with another set of directions. This group turned out to be correct. Reverse course. Reinterpret that little sign. The first group waved at us as we passed them going back, and pointed to the area we were now aiming at. And so, we arrived at the third tee. 

The course is beautiful and is in great shape. The greens were not especially quick but they ran true. But not always into the cup with the first putt.

As we were a twosome in a cart, we were waved through by three groups. This saved everyone a lot of grief - either waiting or finding people very close behind. 

The most unique feature of the course is an elevator from the seventeenth green to the 18th tee. As we had a cart, I dropped Pat off for the elevator ride, and I drove the cart. When I got to the top, I was at the right location but saw no sign of Pat. I caught a glimpse of a bridge, but no elevator, and concluded that in fact, I had taken another wrong path. I drove back down to the fork in the paths and realized that I had indeed followed the right one. Turning around required a 3-point turn then I once again drove up "Mount Bunclody" at a steep angle and this time Pat was at the top. It had been quite a walk from the elevator. Another wonderful example of my sense of direction. And they let me drive here!

I had stopped playing after 12 holes - my tank had run out of energy. We celebrated at the 19th hold, Pat with her Guinness and me with my Cranberry and Soda. I ate the soup and 1/3 of my toasted sandwich. I enjoyed the rest of it a short time ago - rather over-heated in the microwave.

The route "home" via Aldi for a couple of things, was pretty straightforward. I didn't try to take the shortcut via Clonegal, the one that ended up being a long way around via Tullow. 

Tomorrow's weather should be relatively dry so we're planning on the 9 and dine at Coollattin and Saturday we'll head to Borris where the course was recommended. It's one of the oldest courses and sounds lovely.

All in all not an exciting day but it was lovely to swing the club and sometimes hit the ball well. My putting was not bad - only one 3-putt. 

This evening is an "at home" sort of thing. The tv (once we plugged in the cable) is indeed working and has a great selection of channels.

On the first tee - optimistic to little avail

Pat had laid up so as not to lose a ball to the creek - she still parred the hole

Communication from phone to computer restored

OK - here are the missing pictures that were lurking in cyberspace. It was a matter of turning the phone off and back on. 

The hens kept moving away; I wanted to show the source of the eggs

.Can you see the hens along the hedge. Click on the picture to make it larger.

Beginning our walk at Tomnafinoge Woods

This was the path taken, The one not taken was the one I'd previously used.

Along the Railway Walk at Tomnafinoge Woods.

 

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.

If this is Tuesday we must be at our destination

As I sit here typing, we're waiting for the heat to come on for the morning. The "dew" is continuing to fall and apparently, it won't be done until the sun goes down. Conclusion - not a good day for golf. But I'll back up a bit.

The trip itself was pretty good other than the 2-hour delay leaving Toronto. That kind of tipped our planned schedule on its head but it wasn't a bother in the end. Having splurged on Premium Economy tickets, we enjoyed our wider seats that actually reclined more than an inch. Ours were in the last row of the cabin and when we did recline them to attempt sleep, there was nobody's lap there to land on.

Dining on beef tenderloin (well that is what it was called), with real cutlery was a treat. The cutlery was a treat. You can call airplane food anything you like but it pretty much all tastes the same. The linen napkins were a nice touch. And the wine flowed freely, although I didn't imbibe. I should have. 

Sleep was elusive except for the odd few moments at a time but we managed to get through the entire day's adventures once we'd arrived, without falling on our faces. (We stayed awake until 10 when, having admitted we were brain dead, we yielded to the sandman.)

A very helpful guy at the Vodaphone outlet at the airport had put the Irish SIM cards in our phones and we were all set. We were in good time for the 11:45 bus to Wicklow town where Oliver met us with his shiny silver Prius and we were off for what turned out to be a very substantial dinner that Mary had spent the morning preparing. It was so substantial that by packing up the meat we left on our plates we have protein for at least two more dinners. Thus fortified we set out, with me at the wheel of Oliver's Prius, with a destination of Shillelagh, home of that well-known stick, and the closest town to our temporary home.

Have you heard that I'm destination-challenged? But this is a route I know well. I did know it well until we were on the Aughrim-bound leg of the trip. Construction! Road closed! Detour sign pointing to a narrower road heading left. That was the only sign for the detour. We made a brief reconnaissance stop at the Meeting of the Waters near Avoca. Avoca??? We didn't want to go there, even though Fitzgerald's pub might have been warm and welcoming. BUT I had turned in the wrong direction. (wrong direction was how I met our Byrne cousins so I don't really get upset at such things now). After passing the Woodenbridge Hotel, not at all on our way, we finally found a sign more or less pointing in the direction of our intended target and finally arrived - almost directly. 

Our diversion was to check out the Coollattin Golf Club where we had a tee time for today. The course looks immaculate and we were excited. Well, until today's weather. We're going to reschedule for tomorrow. I believe we're meeting Jim for a beer instead.

A brief shopping stop was required for coffee, milk, wine and beer - and some apples. Mary had given us some scones and bread. Did we remember butter or jam? Nope. She'd given us two duck eggs for breakfast but we have no butter to cook them. Boiled eggs might be traditional but we are not inclined that way. And there's no butter. Breakfast was coffee and a scone or two - warmed up but in need of butter. Have I mentioned that missing item?

Heating oil is now outrageously expensive and the heating is on a timer. It is not currently in line with our usual schedule. We shall learn to reprogram it. Soon. Meanwhile, it has warmed up nicely.

So here are a few photos from the journey. I'm not good at taking or posing for selfies and believe myself to be marginally more intelligent than I appear. Please humour me and don't point out my shortcomings. I'll get better with practice. 

Waiting for our flight to depart from Toronto

At Dublin airport waiting for the Wexford bus to depart - somewhat sleep-deprived but we are on our feet and enjoying the lack of precipitation at that moment, We were the only bus passengers to wear masks despite the sign on the door.

One of the few photos of Mary. She won't stay still for a picture

Oliver and Pat in the kitchen after our big meal

No Mary is not attacking Pat, she trying to elude the photographer

And our little vehicle is already to face this wet day. Who knows what adventures await - but not on the golf course.

It's almost travel time again

Well, folks, it feels like 200 years have passed since we were free to travel. I was summoned home from Ireland by the Covid pandemic as per the last posts in 2020 and spent 2 weeks in quarantine. After that I was free to stay at home, like everyone else, emerging for brief walks and sorties to the grocery store. That got kind of stale pretty fast. Thankfully, golf was permitted even in the summer of 2020 so fresh air and keeping up with at least my golfing friends, made for a return of sanity. This might be questioned by those who know me, but it was as sane as I'll ever get.

Fast forward to the present. The return to Eire is almost upon me. It will be a two-part trip with very little genealogy unless you count visits with cousins discovered through research and DNA testing. I've met folks connected on both sides of the family and they are all as wonderful and welcoming as the Irish are rumoured to be. I can't wait to reconnect - so watch out over there, I'm about to drop into your world once again. I'll be accompanied by two different friends, one for each part of the trip.

This trip will have two, or sort of three, phases. The first two weeks will be devoted to golfing and some minor tours in the Wicklow-Wexford-Carlow-Waterford-Kilkenny and maybe Tipperary area. Distances are not what we are accustomed to in Canada so visiting multiple counties will be easy. I've yet to visit every county on the island of Ireland. Maybe that can be a goal.

Following the golf, I'll be joined by a friend whose trip to Ireland was supposed to have taken place when Covid-19 rudely shut down the plans of pretty much everyone on the planet. This time, armed with masks, rapid tests, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes, we'll hit the back roads of Ireland for a grand tour of a whole month.

There will be meet-ups with old friends and relatives, but mostly two of the St Pat's Sirens (hello to those not joining us) will be visiting some well-known and some lesser-known spots around the country. We'll spend €s and £s as we travel in the Republic and in the Irish portion of the UK – Northern Ireland. Probably more euros and pounds than we are actually planning as inflation has struck fear in the hearts of everyone everywhere.

Our final week will see us settled in a Dublin hotel to enjoy as many delights of the city as we can and there might be some genealogy opportunities there although, on this trip, they are not top of the priority list. That is the iffy possible phase 3.

Do feel free to follow us here as we wend our way around the country, er, counties. I'll post a couple of photos with the blurb of the day. I hope to post something each day although there may be gaps depending on access to wifi and the extent of exhaustion as evening comes around. 

Tune in here as you wish. The latest post is always the one showing but feel free to drift down to the bottom and you have the option of moving back in time through earlier posts.

In order to comment you might have to "join" but please do so at your pleasure (and ours). You might need a Gmail account but I don't recall.

The adventure begins on April 10th when we fly to Dublin and ends on May 24th when we fly home. We won't get to do everything we'd like to but we're sure going to make a good stab at it.