Last day to wander...Tues. April 28.

Good morning! The sun is shining gloriously this morning. Birds are happily singing. Beautiful big window to look out. Every place we have had that, except the pub **grin** Slept very well after walking 1km. back from restaurant. Mike convinced me I could do that. I hate it when he is right! Knees didn't bother me all night, and just think of calories burned :)

Things to remember: the variety of duvets (aka comforters) and pillow covers on the beds. The first night in Skibboreen, the comforter was lead-lined, I swear. Had to pull it down off the body. Beautiful patterns on them. Today's is covered in flowers - very appropriate for the location. Once again we are located in a garden spot. Eileen & Paul - hosts. His avocation is gardening. Gorgeous grounds. When we returned last night we got a tour. 2 greenhouses, one he calls a tunnel. Just a small plastic covered hoop barn :) He starts seeds; has a 200 yr. old grape his father passed on to him. Roots outside greenhouse, branches inside. Already has grapes. Lots of tomato plants (grilled cherry tomatoes part of full Irish breakfast :) He raises them for his wife. He works in vet lab. Was telling us how many more animal diseases there have been since EU opened borders.

Dinner spectacular. M had seafood pie and I, scallops w/ ratatouille. Colcanon mashed potatoes (w/ cabbage & spinach - thought of you, Jill!) and rhubarb crumble w/ honeycomb ice cream and Irish coffee. Very good we walked back :)

Young Polish couple sitting by us. I had to ask what language - no clue. Lovely chat. She has been here 10 yrs. Said it's hard to go home to visit - things are hard there. People closed up, economy and politics bad. She asked what we enjoyed most about Ireland... Thought of the beauty and fantastic food... but most of all, individual faces of all the people we interacted with. That has been the most memorable! From bartenders to hosts to people in the street. Perhaps THAT is the benefit of travel.

Today we head toward Shannon - maybe an hour or so away. Banratty castle, w/ reenactors and period trades, etc. along the way. Not to mention how we seem to just wander. We'll take all day getting there :)

Later! Jan

Monday, April 27

Still in County Clare. Ah, out of the car again. Carramore Lodge B&B, on the hill overlooking the Shannon River. And gorgeous gardens with pond, camelias, etc. Lovely room w/ porcelaine China cups for tea in room, and sun-filled sunroom downstairs off the dining room. We have been in rain, hail, and almost snow today. Forecast is for 0 Celsius (freezing). Poor flowers and blooming trees. The pansies will be ok. Not so sure about primroses or camellias.

Lunch @ Derg House in Killaloe (Lough Derg parallel to the Shannon River.) Lovely goat cheese & spinach quiche, w/ apple tarte for afters. French proprietress. Earlier we stopped @ a roadside grocer w/ homemade carrot cake & triple choc muffin. I think we've both decided to eat whatever at this point **grin** although we are sharing portions. We shan't come this way again. Lovely old-fashioned pub just down the hill for dinner. Michael seems to think the day is not complete w/o a Guinness. Goosers Bar & Eating House.

Time to refresh w/ a cuppa and maybe a short nap. Our last night wandering the countryside. Tomorrow we will be at hotel across from airport. Been interesting using a diesel auto. Diesel is about 10 cents cheaper than regular per litre. We've driven over 900 km. The sun is shining now :)

Porrich for breakfast. Runny oatlets (bag) Flahavans. Tasty w/ fresh fruit & scones. I have Joan's scone recipe and a website for Irish recipes: odlums.ie/recipes/scones

Enough for now. Later!