Just to let you all know I'm safely home.. thank you Jesus!!
Had one little drama on the way home.. I lost my watch in Dubai.
Our Dublin flight was an hour late leaving, so the connection was always going to be rushed. As I went through security, they asked me to take off my watch and put it in the tray. Then sadly I gathered up everything else but managed to leave my watch behind. I only realised when I got to the gate of my next plane that was already boarding. I asked the guy at the gate, and he rang lost and found, but it wasn't there. Anyway he gave me an email address to send my details to, and if it was handed in (which I'm not holding my breath about) they will send it back to me. I'm about to do that email when I finish this.
Apart from that, the plane trip was fine. But I have to admit I felt it very long... And getting through security and customs is always a pain. Even at Perth airport the queues were very lengthy. I was very glad to get back into my own house again.
So, that's it folks. I had an amazing time and loved every minute of Ireland. Special thanks to Marie and family for looking after me so well. And the crew down at The Atlantic, and Val's Coffee Shop (thanks Siobhan!)
And thank you to you, my trusty companions, who came along on the journey with me, and sent those regular comments and emails. They were a source of life and love for me as they kept me close to home as well.
So ..
Go rachadh do dhia leat
Which means.. may your God go with you ( Hope that's right, Marie!)
I don't usually see the beach this early, but I was up at the crack of dawn as I knew I had to be on the road, and also Marie was calling in with the kids on the way to work and school to pick up my electric blanket. I have given it to her either for her own use or for someone who might need it. Best €50 I spent this holiday!!
We said our fond farewells, then I walked down the Prom to the beach for the last time 😢😢 It was just beautiful this morning. It was a different light again as the sun was barely hitting the water. I grabbed a coffee from The Coffee Hatch and took it with me on my walk. I stopped a lot and just looked and tried to imprint it all on my brain.
Finally I had to return home and finish off the packing. I stopped at the Church on the way through. Said thanks to St Anthony again.
My two candles!
Lahinch Church
So I went inside and finished everything off and was just loading my big suitcase into the boot when it thumped don on my hand and there was a bit of blood around! And of course I didn't have any band aids. So I had to walk down the street and I got some at the Daybreak shop. I asked the lady if she would mind putting it on for me cos I'm useless with my left hand. She said she wasn't supposed to, but she did do it for me. Bless her!
After that little drama I was ready for the road. Went down the main street and then through Ennistymon and Ennis, then took the Galway road, because when I came in I took the Limerick road. As my friend Carm says, "You can't be boring Moira and do the same thing twice!!"
Now there's one thing you need to know if you're travelling on the main roads in Ireland... there are no toilets actually on the road. You have to go into the towns. After my very big coffee from Coffee Hatch, I was feeling the need after about an hour or so, and I saw the turn off to Athenry... which was actually on my list of places to visit!. Don't know if you've heard the song "The fields of Athenry", but its one of the best known songs in Ireland.
After using the loo I thought I should buy something in the shop, and I asked the lady if there were any actual fields of Athenry, and she more or less said No. But she pointed me in the direction of the Abbey ruins. So I took a pic of that!
Abbey ruins at Athenry
About another hour later, there was an actual service centre on the road, so I thought I would make use of their facilities there. But when I got inside, they had a big sign up that the loos were not open because of a water outage!
So I got in the car and the next services were not until another 69 kms.... 😟
I was beginning to not trust anything on the road, so I found another village called Kinnegad and they had a big complex like a food hall and of course, lovely loos!!!! I had a chicken sandwich that was freshly made for me, and it was lovely. I'm sure the little villages are often better than these big commercial buildings situated on the highway!
Anyway, after that I came straight through to Malahide to the Grand Hotel. It was a bit tricky at times following where the GPS was leading me, but eventually I got here safely. Thank you Jesus.
I booked in and took my stuff up to my room. I'm actually next door to where I was last time, but this time the room is much bigger. I think it's designed for people with a disability and maybe a wheelchair.
When I went into the bathroom, the first thing I looked at was the shower... Having gone through the process of learning about the shower last time, I was confident I could tackle this one...
But....
It's different again... have a look!!
Shower controls
Shower in my room
It seems that the front button is the temperature control, and so I was looking for the way to make the water come out!!! I think I've found it !!! Behind that front button is a round thing that moves and I managed to make water come out!!! Woo hoo! Victory!!! The trick will be to make sure it all happens at the right temperature and pressure!!!
I had a cup of coffee in my room, then had to gird my loins for the last time in the car - as I had to return it to the car rental place at Perth airport. It's not that far away, but I also had to fill the car with petrol. There's always a worry in these things!
I actually ended up taking the wrong turn near the airport, and was heading up the road to Belfast. But, strangely, I know that road a bit, as the road to Balbriggan exits from that road., and I stayed in Balbriggan last time before I left. Balbriggan is the home of my maternal Grandfather, so I always feel a special connection with that place. So I didn't mind the big detour, as I also knew where the petrol stations were and that was one less thing I had to worry about.
So eventually I made it back to the Rental Car place and caught their courtesy bus back to the airport, intending to just grab a taxi to bring me back to Malahide. But the young man who was driving that bus, told me you could catch a Number 1 or Number 2 bus to Malahide from the airport for €2.60. He explained to me about how to get a ticket in the coffee shop and pointed out where the bus left from. So I thought I would give it a try. I bought my ticket and then went to the stop and waited, and waited and waited,,, The I decided to Google it and it seems that the bus take nearly an hour to get there once you actually get on it.
Stuff that!!! I walked straight back to the taxi rank and got a taxi back, and it was so much easier!!!
Then I had one more thing to do..
That bloody toll on the N4.... I had to make sure I had paid it by 8.00 pm tomorrow night, but at least I knew how to do it now. So I had to walk back down the street to the shops and find one with a Payzone. I did it without too much trouble, but it's such a pain!!!
After all that, I think I deserved this....
My last Smithwicks!
So it was a bit of a tiring day, with lots of bits and pieces happening. But at least I'm safe and sound in Dublin, and the car is safely returned. And tomorrow I fly out at 2.20 pm
It's been such a lovely holiday, but I know it's time to come home now. I'm very grateful for the opportunity to have this time in Ireland and feel those family connections again.
Had a bit of a sleep in this morning, but I had to get cracking as I had a few jobs to do.
Apart from my usual morning ritual, I had to go over to Ennistymon to collect my washing. It was so easy to just pop it in there and then pick it up the next day. I'll be back to my washing machine soon enough!
Then I had to start the packing process... bit of a pain but has to be done. At least all my clean washing was already folded!
Marie was picking me up at 1.30 pm to take me up to the farm to see her Mum and brother Sean. I had hardly seen them this time, so was glad to catch up.
Marie had a few jobbies herself to finish off so she left me with them both and I had a lovely chat with Nora and showed her the pics that Madeleine had sent through about the Lynch family.
Then Sean offered to take me out on the farm and check out his cows with him, as he was going to vaccinate some of them. You have to admire the skill of a farmer, as I watched him go about his normal business. I took a few small videos of what he was doing - I know my brother Jim will be interested!!!
Getting them out of the shed.
First one done!
He did warn me to watch where I was walking, because as he said, "You can't have cows, and not have cow shit!" It was only when I came home I discovered the truth of that statement!!!
Second one was a bit more reluctant
All done and off to the paddock
While he was putting that last lot in the paddock he noticed one of the other cows was calving, so he was all systems go to assist her. It was time for me to go back into the house and keep out of his way. Farmers are amazing, and he knew exactly what to do.
So, by now Marie returned and we all had a lovely cuppa together. She had to go and pick up Patrick from school, so she dropped me home, and I got stuck into the blog! Videos take a little more time!
I'm off to the Atlantic for dinner tonight, and to say my fond farewells! It is really such a warm and welcoming pub, and they all know me by name in there now. Declan, in particular, has always looked after me and made sure I was taken care of. Thanks to all the gang at the Atlantic.... I have really appreciated your kindness and care.
