I’m home!  The pilot announced before we took off, the weather in Newark was expected to be sunny and 65 degrees.  On arrival, slightly overcast. The closer I got to Reading, storm clouds were brewing!  You are welcome!

So here is Koally heading home! 

I was greeted by two very happy pups!  They even wrote me a note:  (they had a little help….thanks Mary 😊)

All in all, the trip was wonderful! Despite the weather, Ireland is just lovely!  I’m glad to be home, but I know I will go back.

Sleepover tomorrow with my two little sweethearts!  Cannot wait to see them 😊.

This one’s for Ayden and Mallory.  My sweet little grandchildren. (Within the parenthesis are not to be read to the children 😉). 

When Nan left for her adventure in Ireland she knew she would miss these two.  

While she was shopping she saw this little egg and there was something about it that called to her.  So she bought the egg and opened it. (Also in her purchase was a bottle of wine).

Within the egg was a surprise!!  He looked at me and said ‘Nan, is that you?’ (Remember Nan also had wine.)  for some reason I thought his name should be Koally, he liked this too! So Koally and Nan set off on an adventure.   

First things first, we were in Ireland so a proper cuppa tea we shared.

Koally wanted to see what was on in this lovely town. 

Soon he saw some sheep. He asked Nan if she liked them, ‘oh my, yes!’ She said. (ewe will too!).  Off to another adventure!

But first, a selfie with Nan! 

In to the car we go. 

No, Koally, you are too little to drive….silly bear!

Now, we are going to the beach! 

First we walk on the rocks to get to the sand, Koally gets hidden in the rocks, can you find him? 

Then he enjoyed leaving his ‘foot’ prints in the sand.  Even though it’s quite chilly, he goes in the water. 

Sometimes the bubbles hid him, where are you Koally? 

There you are, you swam out to your own private island!  Let’s go collect some seashells on the beach. 

  Here he found some ‘toys’ to play with. He really likes to use his imagination! 

Look Nan, what’s that in the ocean?  Nan tells him it’s a lighthouse so the boats know it might be dangerous to get to close. 

Oh no Koally! You are lost in the rocks again! Can you find him? 

Along  the way back to the car, he stops to smell a daisy. Koally thinks this is the happiest flower of all! 
Off to see more things! 

Koally climbs a tree to see what’s around. Look over there!

What are those Nan?  She tells him about the cows, that we get our milk from them.  He asks if he can pet them!  (Nan doesn’t want to get arrested, so we will go to a petting zoo where it’s legal!)

 More sheep and a great big mountain!

(Here he pays respect to a famous poet, completely inappropriate for the kids, this was just necessary, sadly I think he photo bombed a German tourist picture!)

Since Nan and Koally have spent this time together, they are very happy!  They both feel like they are on top of the world and cannot wait for more adventures! 

It’s not the end, it’s just the beginning!

  60 mph gusts! Uphill—both ways 😮    

A stare-down, very sweet looking, but glad for the fence!

Panoramas:

Farm views:

White milk, chocolate milk and dark chocolate! 

   
Donkey’s entertained by the people passing by.

Harry! He would not hold still for a proper picture.  His sister Lily was a little more cooperative.

 Sunsets:

Garden ideas: 

For Terri and Chris: I left you this for your scavenger hunt at Yeats grave.  It’s in a        zip-lock bag!! Good luck finding it. I will give you a map!

RUSTED.  You know why the tin roof rusted??? Yep, it’s raining again. So I will share some views, including some tin roofs….rusted.

  Wind driven rain, too boring to stay inside!

Even with the rain, there can be exceptional views.

   
   Yep, Palm-like trees on the coast of Ireland!

I met Ulrike today in Raghly Ireland. That’s her address, they don’t use house numbers or street names it’s more like….follow the road, turn left at a sign and we are on the hill, first house on the left. 

 Traditional Irish cottage, with even a wee bit of sun coming on!

It’s Mothers Day in the states. Kate, Kelly and even Brian sent me messages…..I miss them and thank God for them everyday. 

Happy Mother’s Day to all you mom’s out there!!

Irish daisies for my mom, her favorites.

For Sale in Ireland:  I will try my hand at Blarney Realty

Imagine yourself in this homey two story cottage.  Newer roof, use to be thatched.  Chimney in place that doubles as a skylight.  Brass like mail slot in the door.  Newer windows that open from the top if needed. Heating system available in the summer months.  All that’s needed is your personal touch.  Call 1-800-bla-rney to arrange a tour.

Home warranty not available. Oh almost forgot about the second story, it’s yours to tell.

   This is what happens when I’m left alone too long with nothing else to do!

Ah, some sun, a lovely walk and beautiful views. 

     I met some lovely chaps along my walk: 

  Yes, a cow and a sheep living together in perfect harmony!Mom and baby interested (slightly) in me, the others are napping in the grass.

So my adventure today is a horseback ride on the beach.  What could go wrong???? Look at these guys: 

I hope they don’t make an ass out of me (get it??). 

So here I go….. 

Meet Mags: 

She’s a sweetheart, a wee bit older ( as am I). She took it easy on me.  I was like a little kid, smiling from ear to ear. Johanna our guide was very sweet herself and patient.  She is here in Ireland from Germany, working and living at the farm, get this—-to perfect her English!!!!  I was very impressed, and understood her perfectly.

   
 So off we went on our ride. A lovely, slow walk with a few ‘trots’ in between.  Mags did not like walking in the water, as Johanna said ‘she’s such a lady’! 

We headed back to the farm for some hay and water (for the horses of course). Mags was nuzzling me when I was leading her to the water……..LITERALLY…. leading a horse to water, but she wouldn’t drink! 

 After a few more nuzzles, off I went….longing to go back and ride again. 

The road to here: (Knocknarea)

 is paved with: 

 rocks and mud, spring water and: 

 Well, the cow was just saying moooove your bum up that hill for feck sake! It was a beautiful day for a hike.  I took plenty of breaks  (rest stops), and made it.  The walking stick was my BFF today.  This was a challenge I made to myself. There are a lot of myths here, it is said that Queen Mauve is entombed here. Legend has it that you should carry a rock to the summit and leave it there. But never take one.

I carried the rock and placed it on the cairn.  I couldn’t help but think this hike is like life. 

1. It’s not easy.
2. There are slippery, scary slopes.
3. Stopping along the way and looking around helps you appreciate the view.
4. Keep going, no matter how hard it seems, the best is yet to come.
5. Utilize and appreciate your friends.
6. Leave something behind so that others know you were there.

 Almost there!  

The view from half-way(ish)

  There I am, so close!   
The view from the top, so glad I did it!

One more: this one is just sentimental. On my road trips with my dad, he always loved looking at the blue sky and clouds. I truly believe he was with me today. 

Una talked me out of the walk….hmmmm. It stopped raining at half past 10, but the wind kicked up…..’likely you’ll catch a chill’, she said.   My guess is I wouldn’t have kept up.  The day before she did an 8k, she is 75.  Note to self, must walk more. So I did what any tourist does on cold, windy and rainy days…got in my car hoping to find another great view.  

 
I headed north towards Donegal and stopped in this small seaside town for lunch, my first fish and chips. My view:

  
 
After lunch off in search of sun. Nope, not here:

  
I found a parking space (and my car later!) appropriately I parked on water street in the rain.

After Donegal town it’s off to Sleive Leage. An awesomely scary road.

So, without any bad turns, I made it to Kathleen’s in the middle of nowhere with a tiny sign on a tiny road: 

At the end of this road is Kathleen, who comes out to greet me like we just saw each other last month! 

 and one of her dogs: 

 We sat and chatted. She made a pot of tea and got out enough treats for an army!  We said our goodbyes and hope to see you agains. Here are some of the views along the roadway: 

             Of course, there’s sheep!

A seaweed bath. Last year I did this and wasn’t sure I would do it again. But after spending so much time in the rain, literally LOST MY CAR IN IRELAND. I needed to unwind, the bath was included with a massage. So, I must say I was glad to warm up, and chill out! 

Warning, selfie with the weed:

  Afterwards a lovely lass named Finnie worked the knots, not out, but tried her darndest. ‘You might be sore tomorrow’ HA!

Now, you might ask, is it still raining?  YES. 

Frank and Una are the owners of my cottage and welcomed me in their home this morning for a cuppa tea and a chat. Things that made my day warm despite the weather:

1. Frank and Una 
2. Seaweed bath
3. Finding my car 

That’s it for today. Una invited me to her walking group tomorrow, I really hope I can keep up, they are all retirees!!!

   This is the view out my car window and:

    This is a selfie with the rain.

   This is me after purchasing a nice warm woolly cap.  It’s serves two purposes 1. Keeps my head warm and dry and B. Hides the ridiculousness that is my hair now! 

So about that Yeats poem. Anyone who is familiar with him knows he wrote a famous poem called, The Lake Isle of Innisfree.

Here is the actual one:

 So here is my version:

Arise and go to Sligo Town Centre

Where streets are so narrow and parking isn’tfree (get it?)

A mobile phone is being sought there, for emergencies and such.

A parking space so hard to come by, once found across the river, must remember where my space is, or peace is not to be.

I walk a ways to find the store I passed so many times in my two door.  Easy is not to be and street signs blurred by rain.

I find the store and my mobile is within reach, pay as you go now and it isn’tfree.

Now back to my two door is my wish. While I stand on the roadway and pavements gray, I hear the screaming in my head; if I’d only paid more attention to my parking space, I would not be filled with such dread.

The map in my head is painted in watercolor and washed away in the rain. So I walk and I walk for what seems like ever, when peace is seen, her headlights all a glimmer. 

Peace comes dropping slowly as the rain spills down the windshield. Safe and warm in my two door.

The end. 
Well, there’s more but I will continue later!

  Thank goodness because it’s very narrow! Beautiful views on the way around Gleniff Horseshoe. There was one traffic jam:

  This little lamb lost it’s momma! All’s good, he went ‘bah bah bah’ all the way back to her. Ewe knew it had to happen….right…
I did find the most amazing view today :

  It is a breathtaking.