Slight Detour

Just an assortment of photos from our trip to Dublin yesterday and from the last few days.

Above: one of the two Cocker Spaniels we met while taking a walk at Malin Head on Tuesday.

Our drive yesterday involved a couple of fun stops.

One happened just a few miles down the road from Malin Head.

Patrick Quigley had put his Border Collies to work, rounding up sheep for the fall transition---breeding season and vaccinations, etc.

For Bill and me, the scene provided the ultimate with dogs expertly and skillfully performing their working dog duties.

No practice, no exhibition but outright work.

Patrick seemed pleased that we had stopped to watch his dogs and he enjoyed sharing some highlights of his life and information about agriculture in his area.

He told us that the north part of the Republic of Ireland actually enjoys calmer and milder weather than that in the south.

We also spent about an hour walking around the beautiful Gortin Glen Forest Park near Omagh in Northern Ireland.

Both stops provided enjoyable breaks from several hours in the car.

Now we face the marathon day ahead. It will be long and will definitely require survival mode with passports, luggage transfer, TSA checks and pat downs, long hours squashed in an airline seat.

Never a fun aspect of traveling but necessary if we want to get back to the place we love the most: home.

Again, thanks to all those in beautiful Ireland who welcomed us, served us and entertained us along the way.

Also, special thanks to the neighbors at home and my sister Laurie who kept track of the place.

We're excited to pick up Annie at the airport tomorrow morning and later, the doggies at the pet lodge and then see a major change that happened to our Lovestead while we were gone.

Stay tuned.

Happy Thursday.

The bridge near Drogheda, home of Bill's Irish roots.

The Peace Bridge in Derry, Northern Ireland.

We met this lovely couple last night while having dinner at our hotel.

They are from the Galway area, and they planned to fly out this morning for a week in Croatia.

Liam and Celia, it was fun to meet you. Safe travels.

The Irish go all out for Halloween.

Bill grabbed a napkin and pen and then drew a map of the United States. The illustration gave the onlookers a clearer idea of where our state of Idaho is located.

One member of the small group of tavern regulars had a clear idea of our state’s location because he works in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Others were not so sure because the common confusion between Iowa and Idaho often comes up in conversation whenever we’re asked where we live.

So, the napkin image helped immensely yesterday afternoon when we stopped by the tavern for a few minutes where we’re staying here in Malin Head.

We wanted to make sure we saw Maura, who runs the bar, before she left for the day.

As one can imagine, the small group at the bar were in jolly good moods. We first met Liam, JP and a chef named Patrick. Later, a mom and dad and their son who works in Vancouver arrived.

Lots of one liners, some not quite printable, some quite complimentary, flew from lips to ears as the group happily became acquainted with Bill and me.

Twas our first real experience of getting to know the locals on this trip, and it was great fun.

We’ll have some good memories of these fun Irish folks to take with us when we leave Malin Head today and drive to Dublin.

We’ll stay at an airport hotel tonight, turn in the car tomorrow and then go through all the tedious airport necessities before we hurry up and wait and eventually board our flight for Seattle.

Tomorrow will be another LONG day, especially as we keep flying toward daylight before arriving in Seattle late in the afternoon Pacific time.

And so, the long-awaited trip to our happy place slowly winds down. It’s been beyond expectation---just as every trip to Ireland has been for us.

Our minds are filled with a treasured collection of new memories, and our hearts are embedded in this place more than ever.

It’s an indescribable experience where photos and stories are great but it’s the living of every moment that gives one a truly comprehensive view of the wonders and the wonderful aspects of this country.

All good and all will be tucked away in our hearts and minds forever.

I hope we can make it back here again, but for now, we'll go home totally refreshed, excited to see our beloveds and more grateful than ever that we have been able to enjoy this amazing experience in this amazing “motherland” one more time.

And, as always, it's been great fun sharing our travels.