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This giant piece of equine art is always there high up on a wall at Dublin Airport.  It's especially noticeable when one is taking the journey home. 

There's a bit of comfort each time I see the painting: knowing that one more time Ireland has been like "the dream" and that soon, after a long flight, of course, I'll be home to nuzzle with my own ponies, dogs and cats in my own favorite spot any time, any place on Earth:  home. 

Well, we pulled up into the driveway about midnight last night, parked and opened the door to the most beautiful, long-awaited scene:  three black and white dogs jumping and wiggling and licking us. 

Just like seeing that horse on the wall in Dublin, the moment of arriving back home to the fervent, loving greetings from Kiwi, Foster and Liam is sweet and indescribable.  

I also checked on three horses, standing out in the darkness of the barnyard, and said hello to Festus.

I'm thinking Sonny was probably nestled in somewhere in the hay for the night, and, with this being her first year hear, doesn't know the drill where late in the night Ma and Pa Love arrive home from a long absence.  

What a trip!

I told Bill this morning, this past experience in Ireland, was, bar none, THE BEST TRIP EVER. 

First, I must set a balance and touch on our minor problems over the past two weeks, which amount to all of four.

No. 1:  we faced the wrath of a hurricane and worried that some of our trip plans would have to change.  

Happily, unlike Alabama and its sharpie problems a few weeks ago, fate turned out to be our friend.  Lorenzo fizzled. 

Damage anywhere along the west coastline of Ireland was minimal at best. The day after the storm, when we sailed on a smooth ferry ride to Inis Mor, turned out just plain beautiful. 

No. 2:  I came down with a cold about three days into our trip.  Happily, the supplements the good doctor suggested for me to take in advance, may have curtailed its duration. Twas miserable but lasted only three days. 

No. 3.  We did have a brief water outage while glamping.  It lasted all of an hour, and then our cute little efficient unit/ecopod right next to the ocean was back to normal. 

No. 4:  This situation may or may not turn out to be expensive for us.  TWO notifications from legal folks---one in Northern Ireland as we passed through and later, one from the Irish government which insists that everyone pay their fair share on the toll ways. 

In fairness to us, the latter was not explained very clearly when the rental man issued us our car.  Seems they keep track of you on those major toll ways, and if you haven't gone on line to do some bureaucratic stuff for them, they'll let you know. 

We learned this the hard way after seeing a second note attached to our wind shield after stopping a couple of times in Kildare. I think they're kinda sneaky about this because we were seldom away from our car for very long. 

We'll take responsibility and do whatever is necessary to clear our record in case of any future trips, and we'll know in the future to take great care in following the rules of the road and the paid parking lots. 

Live and learn!

All that said, I would have to write a book to fully cover the vast extent of "Kodak" moments we experienced from start to finish.  

We feel fortunate, thanks to past experiences in the country and to Bill's ability to calmly negotiate driving on the wrong side of the car, wrong side of the road, that this trip allowed us endless extras, especially taking roads less traveled. 

The extras involved quality time spent with Ireland's beautiful, generous, friendly, helpful, talented and sometimes colorful people.  

What a natural resource in the midst of its never-ending magical beauty?  

Our hosts Ann-Marie and Mark (Stoneyford, Lawcus Farm Guesthouse), Vince and Mary (Rose Garden B and B, Kenmare), Sue and John (Sharamore House, Clifden), Frankie (Glamping Adventures, Inis Mor), Caitriona, Maura, et. al. (Sea View Tavern B and B, Malin Head) Frank and his beautiful family Catherine, Sonny, Micheal, Daisy and the pups (townhouse apartment Drogheda)-----------all phenomenal.  In each place, a different experience; in all places, warmth, charm and an overall desire to make our experiences THE BEST.

From this ol' teach:  you all passed with flying colors, and we love you all. 

And, all the peeps we met and got to know in unique ways all along the way.  Treasures, every one. 

It was, indeed, fun and a true labor of love to make sure the highlights of our experience got posted on the blog every day.  

Plus, it's a necessity for an old brain who's quite aware that I can't always remember what happened yesterday, let alone five minutes ago. 

Thanks to all who expressed their enjoyment, and, as I said in a posting the other day, I hope some of you have been inspired enough to experience Ireland for yourselves. 

So, here we are, back at the Lovestead on this cold, crisp, gorgeous October day, filled with adrenalin but knowing that jet lag may get to us in a few hours. 

Home is beautiful, and I would be remiss in noting that we could not set off on such adventures without the confidence that the folks at home are looking out for us and for our beloveds.  

Thanks so much, Elisabeth, for the topnotch job you do, playing substitute mom for Kiwi, Foster, Liam, Festus, Sonny, Lily, Lefty and CB and the Lovestead in general. 

You are THE best.  And, thanks to my sisters and Debbie and our caring neighbors for keeping an eye out and being there whenever Elisabeth had concerns.

Today begins re-entry into life back home and the first day of many where we'll enjoy our nostalgic moments about yet another magical experience in "the homeland." 

Happy Friday.    
   

Our last moments before heading to Dublin Airport from Drogheda (pronounced DRA-heh-da) were spent with Annie's good friend and fellow Camino walker "Irish John" O'Neill.

What a prince of a man!  He's my age.  He lives in Drogheda, and he's an adventurer.

We enjoyed a nice breakfast visit at Moorland's in downtown Drogheda and then said good bye.  

John assures us that one of his future adventures may end up having a Lovestead visit attached.

We hope so.

BTW:  John has a beautiful voice, sings in men's choirs and even sang for a Mass at the Vatican this past May.

We are honored to know him, as is our daughter.