Ireland Acclimating

My youngest child, not to mention any names, advised me to warn the friend I am visitng in Ireland, that if I have a little quiet in the morning with my coffee, things go better for everyone the rest of the day. Laurie must have taken that quip as a word to the wise because she met me early at the Dublin terminal with a cup of coffee in hand. Yes! This is going to be a good adventure, indeed. 

Determined to not succumb to jet lag, we had tea, (of course) which can mean, by the way, anything from or in between:

-a two o'clock lunch-type meal crowned with tea

-an early supper (high tea) not to be confused with dinner

-or a traditional savories, pastries, scones lulling-tea

Then we did an around-town 3 mile walk to get the lay of the land, starting with Laurie and Rob's backyard overlooking the Irish Sea. Their apartment balcony is on the top floor balcony on the right. Cool crisp breezes and wonderful perennials everywhere. 

 The hydrangeas are in full bloom-mostly in the white and pink hues-with some bushes bearing multiple-colored blooms. Up and down the winding paths we traipsed, past sprawling residences and diminutive cottages and eventually into the village for tea in a real pub. I do not look like a tourist or anything with my camera around my neck and iPhone shooting from my free hand. So much to drink in, (no pun intended).

Day Two dawned beautifully on sparkly waters glinting in the dawn. This must be one of a few rare vistas on the water where one can see the sunrise to the right  and watch it set at days' end on the left. The rock is known as Pilot Rock where sailors used to sit watching for ships come into the harbor. They would then send the pilot boat out to guide them to shore. Could not help looking up the words to Jesus Savior, Pilot Me.

A talkative cabbie, a noontime concert and cooking-in-a-castle were highlights of the day (oh, with tea at the Queen of Hearts sprinkled in). Our taxi driver proved true to his word when we asked his favorite thing about Ireland. His trigger went off in a thick, Irish brogue as he told us the Irish are friendly and have time to talk, unlike Americans who are always looking straight ahead or at their phones. Hmmmmmm......then he talked and talked and talked much to our entertainment. 

Here I go again snapping pix at cute little shops. (There would be many more of window boxes with effusive displays of color, sculptures and parks had I not deleted most today's crop transferring them to my ipad. IT person for hire out there???)

An Elegant Dinner was the theme of the cooking class held at the Kitchen in the Castle in Howth Castle on the island of Howth across the way. The castle, built in 1200, is still inhabited by three generations of descendants (that possibly rarely run into one another, it is so huge) of the original family that built the edifice. The kitchen itself reminded us all of Downton Abby and we had a ball learning some new tricks and then sitting down to enjoy our newfound culinary prowess. 

Bon appetit!