I'll start the day with Sue's pancakes because they do start the day at Sharamore House in Clifden, Connemara Country, Ireland.
We have been staying at John and Sue Brittain's Sharamore house on every trip to Ireland since 2018.
Besides their fun and comfy hospitality which has turned into a friendship, Sue's pancakes have been the draw, especially for Bill who also loves listening to John's latest ocean rescue boat stories.
Sue's pancakes are homemade, always artfully presented and delightful in their taste.
Last year, when Willie and Debbie accompanied us to Ireland, our son, who could be a chef if he desired, was so impressed with the pancakes that he went home to Idaho and did his best to replicate the pancakes.
He thinks he has come close.
So, Sue and John, if you ever come to see us in Sandpoint, I'm sure Willie would be happy to serve you some "Sue's pancakes."
While enjoying our breakfast at Sharamore House, we always meet fascinating guests from other parts of the world.
Yesterday, a group at one table was visiting from France, while Cecile, also from France but living in Switzerland, came in toward the end of breakfast.
Cecile, a midwife, is here on a mystery tour.
She learns every couple of days while on her journey where she'll go next.
It's her first trip to Ireland and first time driving "on the wrong side of the road," but she seemed to be doing just fine, having driven across the country to Clifden from Dublin.
Yesterday she decided, with friendly encouragement from Sue and the Love's, to visit Kylemore Abbey just a few miles away. We'll see her this morning at breakfast and will surely hear about her day.
Our day yesterday included time spent in Clifden. Bill, as always, visited Stanley's, a well-established and respected clothing store. My first stop took me to Des Moran's Butchers.
It's a place I first happened on to when we spent about an hour walking around Clifden on a family trip in 2014.
I walk in every time, and the staff immediately recognizes the lady from Idaho. Since that time, Des has retired, but yesterday turned out to be a bonus for me.
Commerce inside was fairly brisk, so I stepped outside to take a picture of the store. A man happened to be standing in a doorway next to the butcher shop.
I thought he added a nice touch to the scene, and when I walked back to the sidewalk, I could see that his expression detected familiarity. Then, I realized that the man was Des himself.
He owns a farm but lives also in an apartment above the butcher shop. Our ensuing conversation reminded me why I've always loved making this stop in Clifden.
Des still raises cattle on his farm. He also seems to know pretty much everyone who walks by his shop. He's a charming and gracious man with some definite history in the community.
Later, Bill and I reconnected after our brief solo adventures and took a drive to nearby Roundstone, a popular tourist stop along a bay and home to O'Dowd's acclaimed seafood chowder.
Once again, the genuine fun of being in this country dominated our lunch stop. At one time, Bill was visiting with a couple from Westport while I got acquainted with a couple from California (he grew up in Wexford).
When my new friends left, I joined Bill's chat group where conversation included talk about the environment and climate change and even some reviews of "The Banchees of Inisherin."
Off and on throughout the day, rain fell in torrents and wind threatened to blow my hat off, but I must say that Clifden truly fits the "if you don't like the weather, wait five minutes" category.
In spite of the wet and the wind, temperatures are generally pretty mild and comfortable.
Today will be a "rain pants" day as we'll be taking the ferry to Inis Mor in the Aran Islands where the forecast calls for 90 percent chance of precipitation.
We've had those soggy experiences before on the island, but, happily, they've allowed us to gain new friends at The Bar pub and restaurant, many of whom are residents of Inis Mor.
These folks are very special in our minds, especially after last year's gathering at The Bar where this ol' school teacher and her family members actually closed down the bar.
Indeed, that's a bit out of character, but when you combine live music, laughter and warm hospitality of the locals, it's hard to go home early.
We are looking forward to seeing our friends, Bridie, Mary, Joe and the gang again, and we'll roll with whatever comes our way--even the rain.
Once again, we'll "glamp" in a cozy ecopod next to the ocean, and, no doubt, when we board the ferry tomorrow to come back to the mainland, we'll be plotting how we're going to get back to the place one more time.
That's the general consequence of one trip to Ireland; you find a way to come again and again and again.
In the meantime, we have several days yet to enjoy and so we'll get on with it.
MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT: I will NOT post on this blog tomorrow.
Although I often go---almost insanely---to the ends of the earth to publish blog posts every single day, the obstacles of finding Internet service and carrying my laptop through the rain have led to my decision that it's not worth the potential consequences.
So, check back on Saturday for the next "Slight Detour" post.
I will, however, post photos when possible on my Facebook feed.
Thanks so much for your patience, and always I do appreciate your enthusiasm.
This truly is a labor of love to share the wonderful experiences aka craic 🍀🍀which we are blessed to enjoy on these trips.
Happy Thursday. Enjoy the photos.
No comments:
Post a Comment