After a long journey, we are happy to be back in Westport. Although our time from the States to Dublin went quickly, we weren't able to catch the early train out of Dublin's Heuston Station and had to wait five hours for the next train. We did learn one thing, however - almost anywhere would be better to wait than this loud, uncomfortable public space. The trains themselves are great - comfortable seats, snacks available, and great WiFi - just make sure you don't have to hang around at the station. We would've taken advantage of being in the city, but we didn't see a place to check/stow our cases, so we felt trapped. Our good and sweet friend Pawel has subsequently informed us that, indeed, they do have this capability, so we will be set if ever this happens again.
We couldn't be more pleased with our cottage; it is beautifully and thoughtfully equipped with every comfort, and it affords a 360 degree panorama of the lovely countryside just outside Westport. Our bed is comfortable, the kitchen has every convenience, and the loo has the all-important "PowerShower," which provides a boost to the somewhat typically disappointing Irish water pressure. It's been nice over these previous six years to have been "in town" for our visits, but we are happy to try something new and wake up to the country sounds of birds, chickens, and wind through the trees. We sleep with the skylights propped open and are invigorated by the freshening breezes throughout the night.
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| The view from our upstairs den/TV room |
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| Our cottage |
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| Front yard view of the Reek and a peek at the bay, with the Westport GC in the foreground |
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| Our "backyard" |
We've been to O'Connors to stock up on food and sundries. I've made sure Candee has enough hard cider (a purely self-protective move on my part), and we've been fortunate to have already met up with most of the people who make us feel so welcomed when we return to Westport. We'll miss being able to head next door to the Clew Bay Hotel for conversation and an Americano, but our former landlord and good friend Darren Madden, owner, along with his lovely wife Maria, of the Clew Bay, has already extended an invitation to visit their home for dinner.
And, of course, Marion and Padraic have already extended their most gracious and lovely hospitality by having us up for dinner last night. We arrived at 7 p.m. and left at 2 a.m., with not a moment lacking in humor, insight, and warm and affectionate conversation, And, of course, excellent food and drink. We are so blessed that Candee "picked up" Padraic in the pub our very first night in Westport seven visits ago. It's a friendship that sustains regardless of the intervening eleven months that we are gone from their company. A truly extraordinary thing and a grand blessing in our lives.
This evening, we will meet up with the Duffys to enjoy the first night of the Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival. The Irish love bluegrass (well, of course, I can't speak for all). But, as I've said before, it does make sense. After all, it's traditional Irish music carried to the Appalachians of America by Irish immigrants where it gained an instrument or two and perhaps a few additional rhythms. And an infectious enthusiasm. Several local groups switch comfortably between Irish trad and bluegrass, and one of our favorites is the MacEvillys - Hubie and Sarah always remember us and kindly inquire about our year since we last left.
We also look forward to seeing the larger-than-life organizer of the festival - Uri Kohen, truly a force of nature, and to see him celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the event. An Israeli Jew, and the son and grandson of world-renowned scientists, Uri was always asked growing up what science he would choose to pursue as an adult. He always responded that, after completing mandatory military service, "he was going to Ireland and work in a pub" - a response that was treated with equal parts of skepticism and derision. Lo and behold, he did as stated, has established himself as person of importance in Westport, and has created a festival that consistently ranks among the top ten festivals in Ireland - no mean feat considering the number of terrific festivals held in the country each year. He married a beautiful local woman, and they have an equally beautiful daughter - a champion Irish dancer. A few years ago, Uri was sporting a John Deere ball cap, thinking it was the pure and quintessential expression of the soul of the American Bluegrass fan. The next year Candee and I brought him a Dixie Chopper ballcap, and a Yeehaw Junction Bluegrass Festival ballcap and t-shirt. This year, at his request, we've brought him a red "Make America Great Again" cap and a Bernie Sanders t-shirt (after all, Bernie spent time at an Israeli kibbutz as a youth). Can't say Uri doesn't have a sense of humor.
So we are back and settled in once again. As I've been known to say - "in two extraordinarily ordinary lives, this has been something very special that we've been able to pull off" - our ninth visit to Ireland, our seventh to Westport.
How cool is that...
