Ireland 2021; Day 11

We saw so much yesterday while visiting an old military fort overlooking the ocean, driving back roads in the area of my ancestry, strolling along with hundreds of other Sunday strollers (4-legged and two), marveling at artistic ocean waves and just taking time to learn from carefully created visuals.

Most powerful of all these experiences for me, however, was the display below on a wall in Buncrana near the Amazing Grace walkway.

The artist reminded us so poignantly of what we have all experienced worldwide over the past 19 months. 

Her works said so much with no words, just images of moments with which we can all identify, regardless of where we live on this Earth. 

So much of the visiting we've done since arriving here in Ireland has focused on the Pandemic and how its effects wherever people live. 

It's a world unifier, for sure, because we all understand the loss, the grief, the fear, the anger, the profound impact and the gratitude toward life itself and for all who have worked so hard to protect us and to save lives of those afflicted by Covid.

While viewing each of the illustrations, I felt a sense of personal gratitude that this moment I was enjoying in such a beautiful setting a world away from where I live could finally happen once again.

And, many wonderful moments happened throughout a day of sunshine where an obvious return to the simple enjoyment of life could be seen everywhere we went. 

It was fun to see all the smiling faces of young and old and to return dozens and dozens of friendly greetings.  

It's rare for someone not to say hello when paths cross in Ireland. 

So, here's a grab bag of photos taken during the day.  Hope you enjoy. 

We met Elaine while walking the streets of Buncrana; she's one of the city's finest. 

These ladies from Croatia were enjoying a relaxing visit on a park bench in Buncrana. 

Amazing chefs at Seaview Tavern where we are staying. Great food, comfortable accommodations and wonderful staff, including the nice lady who did our laundry.  

Thanks, Katrina and all.  We have very much enjoyed our stay here. 

Bill just kept admiring that meticulously and neatly folded pile of laundry last night, so much so that he didn't want to move it.

Paint for keeping the sheep and their ownership straight. 

Bill said he just wanted to ponder standing on a bridge built in the 1700s. The bridge goes over the Crana River. 

Crosson is a name in our family ancestry.