So what's life in Westport like?

So... Everyone probably wonders, why do we come here so often, what's the attraction? Haven't we seen the whole country? After all, by now isn't it all "been there, done that".  We know that we have a bit of a reputation (or at least some of us do) for liking routine, but really?.... So a bit of space to describe a recent Saturday..

Since we are on holiday, there is a bit of a late rise to the day (try 9 or half 9 at least).  Once up, a breakfast in the apartment; yogurt and granola for Tom, porridge for Candee, coffee made in the French press.   Then, what to do for the day? Well, this particular Saturday we drove on a cloudy, looked-like rain day, down to Galway to the City Museum, scarcely a 2 hour drive in our sporty Micra.  By the way, Tom just loves this car, shifts like a pro, zooming around curves.  He feels as if he's back in his Triumph, (remember, Pat?)

 Anyway, back to our trip to Galway... Arriving at the museum we find that it's lunch time, so we peek in at the cafe in the museum itself.  Sure enough, as has been our experience in every museum in the country, an amazing array of fresh, interesting and unusual items are on offer. (check out instagram for photos)(naturally Tom couldn't resist).  We enjoyed some light salads and promised ourselves we'd stop on the way out for a coffee and one of the lovely pastries, scones or cakes. While we were enjoying lunch, Padraic called on Tom's mobile and graciously invited us to dinner that evening.  What a treat! So cool to make such spur of the moment plans!  We gladly accepted and said we'd be there at 7.

 Then it was on to the exhibits.  We spent the next several hours touring the photographic gallery with various views of rural life and early poverty in Ireland, a history of Medieval Galway, an exhibit of World War 1 recruitment efforts by Great Britain that even featured archival film of WWI soldiers.   On a lighter note there was a gallery depicting Dance Hall posters and film history that was also fascinating.  We soon found that the day was waning and we'd soon have to start back.  Of course there was time for our planned coffees and, after sharing a piece of moist orange cake- homemade of course, we walked back to the carpark.

Driving home through the countryside, we pass through small villages and lovely, calm scenery, a chance to just talk, and we listened to a radio program about the state of healthcare in this country.  We are struck by the lack of venom and vitriol in the discussion.  Just informative, no hysterics.   What a pleasure!

Soon we arrived home, changed clothes and this time,drove up to the Duffy's house.  We enjoyed a beautiful meal of cod, a lovely salad with prawns, potatoes, carrot and potato mash, all prepared deliciously.  Dessert was a homemade apple crumble.  Great conversation ranging from world affairs, to history to books. Pleasant doesn't adequately describe it all!

So, there is an overly long description of how rich life is here.  Quiet, surrounded by natural beauty, ancient sites, opportunities to learn new things, interesting people, glorious food,.....Who can blame us for loving it all!

Tom's dish at the Museum café - a chorizo, butternut squash & spinach hash
with coriander and spring onion salsa.  Covered with two free-range, fried eggs
Outstanding!

Mine - grilled sweet potato, feta and toasted walnut
salad with an orange balsamic dressing