We spent 16 days totally out of our element, purposefully so, and with a boat load of happy, priceless memories, accrued in what eventually seemed like a fast-forward existence.
We went on vacation, but we were definitely on the clock every single day, and with air travel these days, the experiences hardly seem like a vacation.
For people who go to bed early and get up early, chalking up a few midnight bed times certainly tested our mettle.
Draconian situations of standing in SLOW-moving lines for up to two hours or sitting for seven in an airplane seat, knowing exactly how sardines must feel when they get scooped into their cans.
Add to that, hours of sitting in a small car with a suitcase serving as a console and a plan needed for both ingress and egress from your little compartment in the back seat.
Try clipping seatbelts in these tight-fitting situations. When Swiss Miss was sitting between me and Debbie on the road trips our group took together, we got down to the basics: okay, it's finger time, I'd tell her as my fingers searched near her posterior to find the female end of the seatbelt.
She was always a good sport.
Stops included sight seeing, buying food and bathroom relief.
Each accommodation offered its unique challenge: how does the shower work? where are the plug-ins, why are they in places where you have to stand on your head, what IS that incessant, rhythmic beep, beep, beep we keep hearing outside our open windows? Open because of no air conditioning and being located on the very top floor during a Dublin heat wave.
How about those door locks and those European keys? They take time to master. Thanks to an Irish neighbor at the Ecopods, we eventually figured out the combination for opening doors to our respective quarters.
Our vacation was, indeed, a learning experience, necessitated by simply getting through the basics of the day. In one case, I learned that bed making and pillow placement is different from what I'm used to seeing BUT I also learned that there were, indeed, two pillows on that bed after going to management who came and checked.
Yes, the second was under the first, semi hidden beneath the sheets.
But we endured all these daily challenges as we traveled. And, we learned, and we laughed.
I still haven't figured out why most European establishments don't supply wash cloths for the showers.
Anywho, the minor learning curves to each day were just that, minor and always worked out.
Our trip was beyond expectations, but with any extensive absence from home, HOME looks beautiful when we come back.
I couldn't wait to see the dogs. I was thrilled as we rolled into the driveway and could see a dramatic increase in floral color.
Extensive growing had happened, including weeds. Mark pulling weeds on the list of "things to do almost immediately."
Horses never seem as emotional as dogs when they welcome you back. My two (CB is at Mary's), simply stood and stared at me from behind their fly masks while taking an afternoon break from grazing.
Good ol' Lefty, though, nickered when I came past him from a walk down the lane where grass is abundant in all pasture areas.
Horses won't starve, I thought as I walked.
The house was immaculate as it always is when Elisabeth watches the place.
And, I knew Annie had done some deep cleaning on a stubborn tub surface during her stay. Twas truly a "WOW" observation seeing that bathtub finally without what seemed like indelible stains.
Elisabeth left a note that a fly mask had gone missing. So, I knew a trip around the pasture with the 4-wheeler would be in order.
After nearly 48 hours of being home, we have returned to our comfort zone.
Both Bill and I noted that, upon waking up yesterday morning, we had to nudge our memories about the standard morning routine, which is quite different from sleeping in, showering, grabbing a cup of instant coffee and catching up on the news outside our little travel zone.
Here at the Lovestead, we have dogs ready to go outside in the early morning, so it's a big change from the past 16 days, but it's wonderful.
It will take us a while to grow fatigued of our daily routines and the many "to do's" of each day around home because we have come home refreshed, renewed and slightly tired.
Our hearts are full with the sound of crows and the gentle breeze and all the space.
Yes, as always, there's work to be done, but it's good work AND it's especially good to be home.
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