Ireland: Six Days Down; Six to Go

As we look out the window of our hotel here in Spiddal, County Galway, Ireland, we see blue skies with nary a cloud.

We'll take it.

Our original plans did not include staying in this area, but we encountered a slight hiccup yesterday and decided to make a change. 

That happens with travel, and we are fortunate to have a daughter who not only travels the world but has also had a wealth of experience in the hotel industry.

Within moments of our decision to change our accommodations, Annie, working from her computer in Seattle, had booked us another place to stay the night.

When we arrived at our destination, right on the Atlantic shore, half an hour or so later, we met Seamus, the hotel clerk.

Seamus has become one of my new best friends, especially because his dream is to become a teacher.  Seamus is majoring in Irish and psychology and hopes to teach at the elementary level. 

I loved visiting with him and almost wanted to pinch him because, even down to his full given name, Seamus is as Irish as Irish gets.  

He told me that he did not speak English until he was about four years old and that his grandmother always takes a grandchild with her when she goes to the store because she does not speak a word of English. 

I look forward to keeping in touch with this delightful young man as he moves on toward his dream.

Good luck to you, Seamus.  

The ease in which Annie and Seamus solved our situation is why I term yesterday's whole experience as a hiccup.  What could have been a major headache for us is now but a memory with a chuckle or two.

Today, we'll do some exploring around the Galway area. I have a feeling a lot of our time will be spent outside.

To our "outlaws" Tom, Kirsten and Beth, we'll be thinking of you and the fun you must have had while visiting this part of Ireland.

The weather throughout the trip has been much better than we expected---some rain but not a lot. We've been sticking to layers, often shedding some as cool mornings turn to pleasant afternoons.   

And, seeing that totally blue sky this morning, we're pretty thrilled. 

Yesterday involved a lot of driving, but we did take a couple of nice walks----one through the Muckross House grounds in Killarney National Park; the other, through an "enchanted forest" at Carrabane, which, for Irish music lovers, is not far from the "fields of Athenry."

Muckross House, just outside of Killarney, was once owned by the Browne family. Since my maiden name supposedly once had an "e" at the end, I'm wondering if there could be family connections. Sadly, the family fell on hard times so others owned the grand estate over the years. 

Before taking off from our bed and breakfast yesterday, we enjoyed the usual visiting with other travelers, including Bernard and Agnes from Singapore.  Bernard and I enjoyed comparing notes about our Canon cameras.

He also gave me the phone number for their hair-styling salon, so I now know that if I ever go to Singapore, I can get my hair done.

Experiences like these are truly one of the great delights of traveling.  We have met so many interesting people---many from other states within the U.S. 

We're halfway through this trip and are looking forward to the adventures ahead. 

So far, so good.  Minor hiccups like yesterday's simply add to the memories. 

Enjoy the photos.   Now, off to enjoy the blue skies above this lush green and enchanting isle.