Tuesday, April 23, 2019
Over the mountains and past the cows, to Dunlewey town we go
We were sad to see our time at Fintona end. Our hostess is such a sweet lady and the town is so amazingly quaint! When we stayed there in 2017, we couldn't find a single postcard in the entire town. I asked our hostess and she didn't know but commented that maybe she should get some made herself. Anyway, a couple months ago, I used pictures that we took last time and had some made. The smallest batch I could get done was 50 and I didn't know what I would do with that many but I had an idea. I wrapped the extras in a ribbon and gifted them to our hostess. I also brought a pen that I had made using a branch I picked up at the end of her driveway. Her face was incredible. :) She said she would cherish the pen and was shocked that we had made it with a branch from her place. When I showed her the postcards, she said, "Oh, I remember! You were the ones looking for postcards! I never did have any made, but now I don't need to!" Making her happy made me happy.
We pulled out of the driveway and was headed down the dirt road. Every trip, we have had a sheep in the road at one point or another. This morning, it was a teeny lamb. The house just down the road from where we stayed had a ewe and 2 lambs in their front yard. One had escaped and was happily munching grass on the other side of the road. But when it saw us, he hightailed it back to his fence. But he couldn't find the hole he had escaped through. Mama was on the other side of the fence. I hope he found the way in without too much worry.
After we left, we had some time to kill because we couldn't check into the place we were going until after 3pm so Bill took us all back to Moy so I could mail a box of cut up branches home. I know....it's goofy that I wanted to use that post office, but if you know me, you know why. :) The girl at the post office was such a sweetheart. Now, we just hope that the box makes it to our house without being confiscated by customs. ;) This isn't the picture I was hoping to get. About 10 feet from this sign, there is another that says, "Moy Road, Major's lane" My camera wasn't fast enough (since Bill was driving about 50mph when I tried to take it) Some day, I will get a picture of all the places that are mentioned in the song, "The Village That They Call the Moy."
Bill's next request was for us to stop in a down called Strabane because there was a fishing store there that his guide recommended. (He is going on a guided fishing thing on Thursday) We tried to go to a fishing store yesterday but they were closed for Easter Monday. Well, apparently, the guy who owns this other store decided to extend his Easter vacation for today too. So, my poor hubby is now 0-2 doing what he wanted. We did have a nice lunch in the town though. I do have a silly story about lunch. One of the side dishes was cream potatoes so I got it thinking I was being adventurous. I thought maybe it was potatoes in a cream sauce. Um, nope.....it was just plain old mashed potatoes. Bill chuckled when he saw the bowl. But they tasted good so all's well that ends well.
We once again had about 500 roundabouts on the way here. If we need to get off on the 1st or 2nd exit, it is easy peasy. The 3rd and occasionally 4th, it is more tricky. But I am thankful that my husband is a good driver and gets us where we need to go without too much fuss (and very little being yelled at by other drivers).It is difficult to help him navigate through the roundabouts sometimes, though because they have such cool artwork in the middle.
Once we started getting close to our destination, the landscape started to change. I never realized how big the mountain ranges are in Ireland...or at least in this part of Ireland. I've looked at pictures but it's hard to tell how huge they are from pictures. Most of the mountains here are also a lot of bare rock and at the base of the mountains, there is nearly always a loch. I tell ya, I think this part of Ireland gives Minnesota a run for its money as far as the number of lakes. **Kidding, but still.
We finally made it to our house and it is a beautiful little place. But the view is the most spectacular! Right out the kitchen window, there is a perfect view of Mt.Errigal. I believe this is the most iconic mountain in this entire area. As our hostess was leaving, I plucked up a tiny amount of courage and said, "Go raibh maith agat!" (thank you) She grinned and responded but spoke so fast I couldn't catch what she said. She said several sentences and then was gone. My head spun for a few minutes trying to figure out what she had said. :)
This trip is going far too quickly! And we have things planned for the next couple days so I'm sure it isn't going to slow down. But we are making the most of the time we have!
Monday, April 22, 2019
Easter Monday?
Yesterday, when we were at church, there was a notice in the bulletin about a kids' fun day being hosted by Moy's local Gaelic football club today. Since we are always on the lookout for fun free things to do, we decided to swing back to Moy again - it's only a half an hour drive after all. 😉
As we got to Moy, I told Bill where to turn. He looked confused. "Oh, we're parking at the church?" I just grinned and told him that the park where the event was being held was down the same road. His response to that was, "I forgot. You've google street viewed the town so much that you know it better than Westford." That's not entirely true, but he does have a point. 😃
It was obvious, as we rounded the corner, that we were new to the whole thing. We saw a group of kiddos at a craft table so we headed that way. A very sweet lady (Colleen, I believe her name was) showed the kids what crafts they had....color pages and some Easter bunny ears as well as Styrofoam eggs. The boys dove into decorating the bunny ears but it took some convincing to get Katie to color. All the newness and excitement had her nervous. When she is nervous, she rocks back and forth from foot to foot. Two little girls came over and asked why she was doing that. I explained, but they didn't get it. (I wonder if part of the problem was they had a hard time understanding my accent) They both told me their names and laughed at me because I couldn't say them right, Zara and Clara....I really am sorry. Once again, I was the dumb American. We were rescued after a few minutes when a girl came around and announced they were having a "cross country" run. Katie got excited and wanted to run. The run consisted of running around the perimeter of a field. Katie was late to the starting gate but didn't let that hold her back. The stinker ran through the field to catch the other kids...thankfully, the other kids didn't call her out for cheating. 😐 All the kids got to have the flag waved for them as they crossed the finish line and Katie was psyched about that.
When the race was done and the boys were done with their bunny ears, a sweet lady came over and handed me candy for the kids. The boys each got a Mars bar chocolate egg thing and Katie got a chocolate bunny. They were all pleased as punch! Then they brought out some Gaelic footballs and the kids spent a while kicking the ball around with Daddy. I think Bill regretted started the game because the kids wore him out! It was fun hanging around the football park.
When it was time to go, we ventured back to the town square for lunch. There were 2 places that I had found that looked interested but both were closed. Apparently, the day after Easter is a bank holiday called Easter Monday. I think more businesses were closed today than were closed yesterday, but we did finally find a place for lunch. We had been to the Ryandale restaurant before but today they had kind of a buffet thing. Well, actually I'm not sure you call it a buffet but more like a cafeteria line. There was a line of food but you had to order what you wanted as you went down the line. When we went before, it was just a regular sit down place....I'm guessing it was different due to the holiday. Either way, the food was delicious.
Since we were all full, a walk sounded like a good idea. We decided to just walk down the street to see what we could see. We saw a restaurant that had 6 different cuisines. I don't think I've ever seen a restaurant "specialize" in that many. There was also a very pretty Methodist church and a chemist shop (which was also closed). We ended up walking down into a cul-de-sac to see a beautiful field that was behind. The kids were excited to see a couple horses (it's like they've never seen horses before)
Our original plan was to drive to Templepatrick today to visit the wood turning shop that we found in 2017. Once again, however, Easter Monday got in the way and they were closed. But we did find several branches that we think will work well for pens. 😛
Tomorrow we head to Co Donegal. We've been told that the people in that area are 1) difficult to understand and 2) unlike any other people in the country. I can't wait to find out what that means! I wonder if I will be brave enough to use my Irish language.....
As we got to Moy, I told Bill where to turn. He looked confused. "Oh, we're parking at the church?" I just grinned and told him that the park where the event was being held was down the same road. His response to that was, "I forgot. You've google street viewed the town so much that you know it better than Westford." That's not entirely true, but he does have a point. 😃
It was obvious, as we rounded the corner, that we were new to the whole thing. We saw a group of kiddos at a craft table so we headed that way. A very sweet lady (Colleen, I believe her name was) showed the kids what crafts they had....color pages and some Easter bunny ears as well as Styrofoam eggs. The boys dove into decorating the bunny ears but it took some convincing to get Katie to color. All the newness and excitement had her nervous. When she is nervous, she rocks back and forth from foot to foot. Two little girls came over and asked why she was doing that. I explained, but they didn't get it. (I wonder if part of the problem was they had a hard time understanding my accent) They both told me their names and laughed at me because I couldn't say them right, Zara and Clara....I really am sorry. Once again, I was the dumb American. We were rescued after a few minutes when a girl came around and announced they were having a "cross country" run. Katie got excited and wanted to run. The run consisted of running around the perimeter of a field. Katie was late to the starting gate but didn't let that hold her back. The stinker ran through the field to catch the other kids...thankfully, the other kids didn't call her out for cheating. 😐 All the kids got to have the flag waved for them as they crossed the finish line and Katie was psyched about that.
When the race was done and the boys were done with their bunny ears, a sweet lady came over and handed me candy for the kids. The boys each got a Mars bar chocolate egg thing and Katie got a chocolate bunny. They were all pleased as punch! Then they brought out some Gaelic footballs and the kids spent a while kicking the ball around with Daddy. I think Bill regretted started the game because the kids wore him out! It was fun hanging around the football park.
When it was time to go, we ventured back to the town square for lunch. There were 2 places that I had found that looked interested but both were closed. Apparently, the day after Easter is a bank holiday called Easter Monday. I think more businesses were closed today than were closed yesterday, but we did finally find a place for lunch. We had been to the Ryandale restaurant before but today they had kind of a buffet thing. Well, actually I'm not sure you call it a buffet but more like a cafeteria line. There was a line of food but you had to order what you wanted as you went down the line. When we went before, it was just a regular sit down place....I'm guessing it was different due to the holiday. Either way, the food was delicious.
Since we were all full, a walk sounded like a good idea. We decided to just walk down the street to see what we could see. We saw a restaurant that had 6 different cuisines. I don't think I've ever seen a restaurant "specialize" in that many. There was also a very pretty Methodist church and a chemist shop (which was also closed). We ended up walking down into a cul-de-sac to see a beautiful field that was behind. The kids were excited to see a couple horses (it's like they've never seen horses before)
Our original plan was to drive to Templepatrick today to visit the wood turning shop that we found in 2017. Once again, however, Easter Monday got in the way and they were closed. But we did find several branches that we think will work well for pens. 😛
Tomorrow we head to Co Donegal. We've been told that the people in that area are 1) difficult to understand and 2) unlike any other people in the country. I can't wait to find out what that means! I wonder if I will be brave enough to use my Irish language.....
Sunday, April 21, 2019
County Tyrone at its finest
First off, let me say I hope you had a happy and blessed Easter! Although, with Easter being what it is, how can you be anything but blessed?!
I was quite pleased when Bill was first planning our trip because I realized we would be here on Easter. We were all excited at the prospect of going to Easter mass in Ireland. When we got up this morning, I do have to admit that I was stressed and therefore a bit grumpy. My poor family is quite forgiving and I am thankful for that. We managed to get ready and out the door on time and the drive was uneventful.
We arrived at the church 35 minutes early which was what we were hoping for. We only waited a few minutes before other people started arriving so we went in. I'm glad we got there early because the church was absolutely full once it was time for the mass to begin. People were lined up all along the back wall and even up the stairs to the balcony. There were so many more people than when we were there in 2016 but that is understandable since it was Easter.
Today was a special day at the church. All of the special music was performed by the kids' choir. Listening to a group of children raising their voices in song to their Savior was incredible! The readings for mass were also done by children...most of which seemed to be 9-10 years old. Even though I didn't know the kids, I was quite proud of how well they did! I know adults that would be terrified to read in front of that many people.
After church, our plan was to go to a park close by called Peatlands Park. Since we were dressed up for church, I brought my tripod to get a few family pictures. We looked around for a while to try to find a spot for the pictures. Right by the water on a small boardwalk type thing seemed perfect. Sometimes it takes forever to get a good picture....having 3 kids means several takes to get everyone looking and smiling. :) Today, however, it didn't take long at all and I was thankful. :)
The park has literally miles of trails. I probably should have thought of bringing clothes for us to change into after our pictures, but sadly I didn't. That being said, we still managed to walk a couple miles. I'm sure we were once again dubbed "crazy Americans" for choosing to do a nature walk in dress shoes. :)
I had packed us all lunch, so after we were done walking around the peat bogs, ponds, and nature trails, we had a picnic. Why is it that sandwiches and chips taste so much better when you eat them at a picnic table? About half way through lunch, an ice cream truck drove down the lane and parked right by us. Bill was a trooper and walked back to the parking lot to get our cash. You see, ice cream here is like nothing I have ever eaten in the US. The boys each got a cone and Katie and I shared a chocolate sundae (well, Bill ate some too) and the cost was only £5 which I didn't find bad at all. *I should mention that the boys got their ice cream at the same time and these pictures were taken seconds from each other. Fuad likes to savor his food...Vladan, not so much. And I had to fight Katie to get some. :)
We did more before 1:30 than we typically do on vacation. But I tell ya, we did have fun! Once again, we got a giggle out of some of their signs. When we explained what a "loo" was to Vladan, he thought there was an actual bathroom for dogs. LOL!
I was quite pleased when Bill was first planning our trip because I realized we would be here on Easter. We were all excited at the prospect of going to Easter mass in Ireland. When we got up this morning, I do have to admit that I was stressed and therefore a bit grumpy. My poor family is quite forgiving and I am thankful for that. We managed to get ready and out the door on time and the drive was uneventful.
We arrived at the church 35 minutes early which was what we were hoping for. We only waited a few minutes before other people started arriving so we went in. I'm glad we got there early because the church was absolutely full once it was time for the mass to begin. People were lined up all along the back wall and even up the stairs to the balcony. There were so many more people than when we were there in 2016 but that is understandable since it was Easter.
Today was a special day at the church. All of the special music was performed by the kids' choir. Listening to a group of children raising their voices in song to their Savior was incredible! The readings for mass were also done by children...most of which seemed to be 9-10 years old. Even though I didn't know the kids, I was quite proud of how well they did! I know adults that would be terrified to read in front of that many people.
After church, our plan was to go to a park close by called Peatlands Park. Since we were dressed up for church, I brought my tripod to get a few family pictures. We looked around for a while to try to find a spot for the pictures. Right by the water on a small boardwalk type thing seemed perfect. Sometimes it takes forever to get a good picture....having 3 kids means several takes to get everyone looking and smiling. :) Today, however, it didn't take long at all and I was thankful. :)
The park has literally miles of trails. I probably should have thought of bringing clothes for us to change into after our pictures, but sadly I didn't. That being said, we still managed to walk a couple miles. I'm sure we were once again dubbed "crazy Americans" for choosing to do a nature walk in dress shoes. :)
I had packed us all lunch, so after we were done walking around the peat bogs, ponds, and nature trails, we had a picnic. Why is it that sandwiches and chips taste so much better when you eat them at a picnic table? About half way through lunch, an ice cream truck drove down the lane and parked right by us. Bill was a trooper and walked back to the parking lot to get our cash. You see, ice cream here is like nothing I have ever eaten in the US. The boys each got a cone and Katie and I shared a chocolate sundae (well, Bill ate some too) and the cost was only £5 which I didn't find bad at all. *I should mention that the boys got their ice cream at the same time and these pictures were taken seconds from each other. Fuad likes to savor his food...Vladan, not so much. And I had to fight Katie to get some. :)
We did more before 1:30 than we typically do on vacation. But I tell ya, we did have fun! Once again, we got a giggle out of some of their signs. When we explained what a "loo" was to Vladan, he thought there was an actual bathroom for dogs. LOL!
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