Happy Days 58: Pooch rubs, pianos and (midnight) potatoes

Dawn came early. At 5:30, I shut our curtains to give us a few more hours of sleep Last night, I hadn’t seen much outside the house, but today tubs of petunias and bushes of roses gave me a jolt of delight when I got up and walked outside at 9:30. We decided on a late start to make up for jetlag. Joy and Tom have been wonderful hosts, cooking a yummy breakfast of Irish sausages, eggs, basmati rice, toast, and fruit.

How would you like to wake to this every day?

Midday, Tom showed us around their 100 acre farm. From the kids’ bedrooms, framed by the window, the farmland has a pleasing pattern of golden cut fields and green uncut fields outlined with hedges. We took a lane down past a meadow so green and lush and full of pretty little wildflowers and gold hued ladybug-like beetles, while two jack russells named Rascal and Angel (Tom’s brother’s dogs) went bounding at our feet and rolling on their backs every now and then to have us pet their bellies. We lay on our backs in the soft uncut grass while Rascal licked us silly. (For me, that is a lot to tolerate, but I surprised myself by not minding too much.)

My favorite photo of the girls with Rascal (left) and Angel (right)

I took so many pictures of the farmland. Every way I turned, there was another shot worthy angle. I loved watching the kids run through the grass, the dogs running at their heels. The landscape, the crisp weather, just inspired exuberance. I could see why Northern Europeans make it a habit to walk through such landscape and weather.

Seeing the beautiful land made me wonder how in the world my sister and her husband connected. His world is so different from hers, and so remote, with all the responsibilities of farming, I’m amazed they found each other. But then again, they are so suited to each other, I am so happy for them.

After the tour, during which the kids got to drive Tom’s ATV up and down the lane, we ate lunch. Kind of early, but we wanted to be on the road to make our six hour drive to Killarney (we are spending two days there, including seeing the Giants Causeway at tail end). Again, Joy and Tom spoiled us. Since we were not going to stay for dinner, Joy decided to feed us what she was going to serve for lunch AND dinner. She made pasta bollonaise and chinese chicken, a filling combo.

Although we would have been happy to chance a B&B tonight, we decided to reserve lodging with the Lios Na Manach in Killarney. Over the phone, the owner was very nice and offered us a good price on two rooms. Partway down the drive, Wesley wondered if they had a piano, so I texted her to ask.

She answered, “Long story. I will explain when you get here.”

We laughed and Wesley commented, “Well, that’ll make for a good icebreaker.”

And then a couple of hours later, she texts, “Piano arrived! ! ! !” Which made us laugh and marvel all the more.

Made it to Lios Na Manach nearly midnight, having gotten lost briefly. The road to this B&B just kept going and going and going, like you think you’re finally there, but there’s still another house, another stone wall, another hedge. Finally, a sign pointed to a tidy little courtyard with soft lights gleaming invitingly through the windows of a lovely building, and three faces looking at us from within. Brigid, the owner, greeted us with a firm handshake and a friendly smile. The other two were Brigid’s 13 year old daughter and a family friend named Christian.

She had us bring in our stuff while she heated up a delicious dinner of what she called “Brigid’s Seafood Cataplana,” a creamy sauce with mussels and fish on mashed potatoes. Soft music played in the background, tea lights glowed, the table was set beautifully for five, and a gleaming piano sat near our table. It couldn’t have been more perfect.

On the piano: I guess what happened was, just yesterday, Christian had asked if they ought to transfer the piano from Brigid’s house next door into the B&B. And they had decided not to. Then today, I asked about the piano. “How weird was that?” Brigid said with a smile. So her husband and Christian moved the piano. Then, today, they had visitors from France and Christian is studying French and music, so he played the piano for them.

Strange coincidences, indeed. Tomorrow, Wesley plans on playing the piano. 😉

Our accommodations are wonderful. Drew and I have a cozy room to ourselves and the kids have a separate bed each in another room. No rollaway for Wesley this time. Brigid truly is a wonderful hostess. Glad we decided to look it up ahead of time, because I am sure we wouldn’t have found it just driving around.

On the way up, I was thinking how wonderful this trip has been so far for us. And how fun it’s been to drive through little storybook villages. In the car, I mused on this, contented. I didn’t think the ending of the day could be better than that, but it was.