Feb 2-3

Feb. 2

We went to Clifden to pick up Mary, Tom’s sister. We went in early to use the computers at the library. It was an unusually warm and mild day. Everyone was commenting on it. Mary arrived right on time, and the bus just stops in the middle of the main street and drops off/picks up whoever needs to be exchanged.

After a quick lunch of traditional Irish soup and tea at the local pub, we headed out to enjoy the sunshine by driving back to Tullycross via the Sky Road. Tom and I had driven the lower part once before, so taking the high road was a new experience and gave Mary a great view of our wonderful location.

We decided to take a leisurely late afternoon and early evening allowing Mary to dictate the schedule based on her “jet lag.” Because Mary is so interested in art, she and I dug through all the boxes and organized the various “art supplies” in two boxes: beginners (crayons, etc. probably from Lucy last year) and advanced (actually some nice water colors, pencils). What we lack in supplies (mainly paper), we are making up for with creativity.

As the sun began to set, we headed to the ocean (driving in case Mary hit the travel wall). I hope you have all had a chance to see the pictures I sent of the progressively amazing sunset. I couldn’t take the pictures fast enough as the light was changing colors. I love digital cameras. You did not have to be bored with all the bad shots. And then the full moon came up. I came back and calculated that it may be the last full moon the students will enjoy in Tullycross as the next ones are on our break and their extended weekend. Hopefully, they took advantage of the clear skies and warm temperatures to take it all in.

We ended the evening with a Guinness at Coyne’s around the fire and returned to our house for a turf fire. On numerous occasions, Mary mocked us a bit for all our complaining about the cold. We’ll see how the rest of her visit goes. But I understand that whatever we are experiencing here, it is better than the Midwest! A student told me yesterday (3^rd) that when she talked with her Mom in Jenison, her Mom wasn’t going to go to the mailbox because the snow was blowing so hard and she couldn’t see the house across their street. Yikes. I’m going on weather.com to see how Michigan is doing.

Feb. 3

Another sunny day, so off we go. We decide to head to Kylemore Abbey and then get water at the well. It is a bit brisk, but still unusually brilliant. As usual, we are met by great Irish hospitality as we are asked at the admissions office where we are from. When we say Tullycross, the lady says jokingly, well, since you are local and I’m in good humor, you can go in free. I commented to her that she is probably always in good humor.

The Abbey was much more interesting than I thought it would be. The inside is lovely, and we walked up to the newly restored Gothic Church. The grounds with the lake in front of the Abbey are also beautiful. There is a Victorian garden, not open at this time, which will draw us back for another visit.

We climbed the hill for water, but because we hadn’t had any rain for the last few days – unusual as that is for Ireland – the flow was quite low compared to our last visit. But we enjoyed the sheep greeting us with their baa’s.

Returning by midafternoon, we decided to sit outside and soak up the few remaining hours of sunshine. Mary tried out some of the art supplies trying her skills at drawing a Celtic knot. We were looking for one of the students to teach us how to make a St. Brigid’s Cross (which they helped the grade school kids make this week), but that will have to wait for another day. We ended the evening by attending the concert at the Letterfrack School. The musicians who are in Letterfrack for the CD launch today (Sunday) held workshops for the fiddle, concertina, whistle and flute. The first half of the program was the students participating. The second half was a combination of collaboration and solos by the “professionals.” It was great and amazing to watch the fingers fly across the instruments.

We stopped by Molly’s and there was some additional traditional (and country western) music.

Off we go for another day.