Ireland 2026 - Day One

 

After a great night of much-needed sleep, I'm having a spot of tea here in the Virginia Lodge at Silken Thomas in Kildare, Ireland. 

Sleep and a shower after a 30-hour day of sitting and flying and directing suitcases and getting a rental car and then pushing forward through the rest of the day which included a Guinness and a delicious meal at Silken Thomas--let's just say it hit the spot.

I feel alive and ready to go. 

Our trip has amazingly gone without incident and very smoothly. 

We did not have to pay for luggage in Spokane because our Alaska plane was late. 

We arrived in Dublin yesterday a half hour ahead of schedule. 

My stomach has behaved.  That's big!

We have met some neat people along the way. 

Susan and Steve, seasoned travelers from Port Angeles, headed to some U2 action in Dublin, stood with us at the front of the Aer Lingus line in Seattle.  We hit it off. 

Before deplaning in Dublin, I watched a flight attendant bring a Western straw hat to the lady seated behind us.  It was a Resistol, and I could not resist asking her if she liked horses. 

That needed no thought whatsoever because she had spent a week at a working cattle ranch outside Rexburg, Idaho.  Her name is Sinnead (Shenay), and she was delightful. 

She said she'd signed up for another such experience next year and that she had also traveled to all the neat places in Southern Idaho and Yellowstone. 

So, I told her that next year she needed to tack on a trip to Sandpoint if she wanted to see some really neat places. 

While in Seattle and sitting in the vibrating chairs neat the gate, which require $5 for starters, but going the free route like all the other ladies, I met a nice lady from Skagit County who loves Border Collies.  I never asked her name but did learn that she had been an audiologist and teacher at Western Washington University. 

It's the perks of travel meeting new people AND reconnecting with those you've met several times over last travels.  And, that was the story when we drove into the parking lot at Silken Thomas and immediately saw sweet Beata walking our way.  

Her recognition of the people in the car brought an immediate halt and hello.  Once we were inside, a hug party ensued with Beata and Caroline.  Out came the cell phones and photos of Beata's new grandson and Caroline's 16-year-old son who represents Ireland in cycling competitions. 

We knew during those moments we had arrived HOME.  And, we'll repeat that same feeling a few times more as we travel around this magnificent island, which is beautiful inside and out. 

In our "push forward" mode, Bill and I walked around Kildare and visited St. Brigid's Cathedral where the our family enjoyed our first visit a few years ago. 

St. Brigid is the second best known saint in Ireland, and you can find symbols of her throughout---the St. Brigid's cross being the most predominant. 

She is part myth and part historical---a blend, so to speak and she is revered in this country.  I've mentioned before that various spellings of Brigid are a common Irish name.  We have at least one Bridgit in our family ancestry.  

AND,  the nickname is Bridie, not to be confused with Birdie.  Any follower of this blog knows that our dog Bridie is named after Bridie, the manager of THE BAR on the Aran Island of Inis Mor, whom we hope to see in a few days along with her wonderful sidekick Mary Ratcliffe.  

Lots of stuff to look forward to and so far so good on this trip.  We could not believe that it did not rain for our welcome here yesterday, which made the first day all the better. 

Stay tuned.  

I'll keep posting additional photos throughout the days on my Facebook promotion for the blog, and I'll do my best to add some mutterings as we travel along our way in this place that we both consider a Heaven on Earth! 

We'll probably go see some horses today and walk the Curragh Plain. 

Top o' the morning to ya!💚💚💚 

Beata and Caroline, great ladies!

For my friend Trish Gannon

Ireland: It's What We Do

 

This map has been enhanced through AI to highlight the places we'll be visiting in Ireland. 

It's pretty quiet around the Lovestead, at least on the domestic front. 

Horses are gone.

Doggies left yesterday. 

Squirrels, crows and deer have already started a Lovestead takeover. 

Last night I even fed two deer some apples, just like I usually do with the horses. 

After all, the deer were hanging out in the barnyard waiting for handouts. 

They didn't come all the way up to me at the fence like the horses do, but they came close enough to grab a few apples. 

If past times are any indication, they will be running the place while we're gone. 

Actually, my sister has agreed to do that, which is most appreciated. 

We have stayed home and kept our noses pretty much to the grindstone for most of this year, so it's time to have some of our annual fun.

We've already gotten a taste of what's in store because our neighbors have been in Ireland for several days.

Yesterday they sent me a photo of the steak and potato cakes at the brew pub in Kenmare, County Kerry.

Also, they went to P. F. McCarthy's Restaurant and met our friend Vince who's there pretty much every night in a back open-air room with his friends. Sadly, they missed meeting Vince's wife Mary. 

Vince knows we're coming, thanks to my neighbors.

The staff at Des Moran's Family Butcher Shop in Clifden know we're coming, again, thanks to my neighbors. 

This will be my 13th trip to Ireland, and Bill's 12th.  My first trip was with our daughter Annie who had already visited and wanted to go again. 

Once I visited, I wanted to go again and with the family.  So, we did. 

Our family has traveled there about five times. 

So, since 2011, it definitely had become "what we do."  

As my friend noted in a text, it's hard to describe in words or even photos how magical and wonderful Ireland is. 

The beauty of the land and its friendly, helpful people always draw us back. 

To paraphrase my neighbor again, the Ireland experience and its beauty make us see life as it should be. 

So, off we go with a long, long day ahead.  

Next bed:  Kildare, Ireland. 

You'll see with the highlighted locations on the map where we'll be staying. 

Stay tuned.  

The next time the blog will appear will be once I'm settled on land and have my laptop going again.  

Thanks for your patience. 

💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚

A Change

 

It was a different kind of morning today.  

No chores. 

No horses. 

Lily, Lefty and CB went to their winter boarding facility yesterday.  

It's owned by Roxane Conrad, and it's just over a mile away. 

This is the fourth year I've boarded the horses, and I have no regrets. 

Boarding them allows Bill and me opportunities to take off once in a while and to stay overnight with no worries AND no chores. 

Plus, the change of pace is especially nice during the winter months because, along with horses to visit at the stables, there are people to enjoy. 

Each year I've appreciated more and more my "winter crowd" of friends who also board their horses at Roxane's. 

The situation allows for getting out of the house during boring winter days and going somewhere else to enjoy both the horses and the people. 

So, I'm looking forward to this change of pace, and I don't think Lily, Lefty and CB mind their nice stalls, good care and getting to know other horses at Roxane's.

I will admit, however, that it was rather quiet around here this morning.  

Instead of dealing with chores, Bridie and I simply enjoyed walking around the place. 

Recent rains have brought on green grass and more blooming from flowers. 

So, it's mighty pretty around the Lovestead these days. 

After we've had a few freezes, I'm looking forward to picking the abundant crop of apples on the old tree. 

They aren't very big, but they make good jelly. 

Not much else on my mind today except another pretty day to enjoy. 

So, that's just what I'm going to do. 

Hope everyone has a great day wherever you happen to be.