Day 24 - Bits and pieces

 Day 24 - Bits and pieces

Brrrrr....

It's so cold today... I don't believe it got to 11°. I spent most of today inside, because it was drizzly and cold.. got stuck into my Ancestry stuff again cos it was cold  - really too cold and drizzly to go out.  

Went to Mass as usual,  then did a quick walk along the beach..

Before the rain.  

Noticed something different on the main street... there were lots of maroon and white flags... that's not Clare colours, so I had to find out what was going on.. 

Maroon and white flags

More maroon and white flags

So I asked my friends in the Atlantic...

It seems the local Liscannor ladies' team is in the final this week... 

This sign was outside the Church

They are fiercely parochial here in Lahinch!! Love it!!

I spent sometime today tracking down  Michael  Curtin, whose name appears on one of the seats in the Church...

Seat memento

I found him eventually.  We are kind of related, but pretty distantly. 

After all that detective work,  I felt the need to get out for a while.  I needed to get some petrol for tomorrow,  as I'm going to meet my new found cousin from yesterday, Madeleine, at Bunratty  Castle.

I had 2 choices for getting petrol.  One is Ennistymon  or the other is Miltown Malbay. Ennistymon is a pain in the proverbial  at this time of day,  with school just getting out.  So I opted for Miltown Malbay, which includes a little scenic drive along the coast for about 12 km. That was when the rain decided to just make its presence felt.  And the wind was biting!!

So I got my petrol then headed into the actual town... took a few quick pics and scurried back to my car.  

Statue of Willie Clancy - famous muso

Main street of Miltown Malbay

Looking the other way

The town had quite a few murals... only captured this one..

Three brave blacksmiths

Story of three brave blacksmiths

It's on YouTube if you would like to listen. I couldn't get the link.  🥺

And finally just a comment on the cost of living over here..

My petrol today was € 172.9. At home in Oz I've been averaging $172 Aud.. 

At the present conversion rate,  that's $2.80 Aud. 

Same for coffees.. they're  averaging € 3.50. That's $5.70 AUD. So even though the prices look the same they are that much dearer over here.  But me no complain.. just stating facts.  

So I've come over to Kennys bar to write this blog and have my half pint of Smithwicks.  But I mainly came for the warmth!!! I have 2 little "rads"as heaters in my units and they're ok, but I find they dry the air out quite a bit.  Much easier to come and imbibe and write my thoughts in  the warmth of an Irish pub. 

Aren't I lucky???