A lovely evening

We hosted the Duffys up on Barley Hill last night.  A bit of green salad with an array of cheeses, brown bread and beetroot salad.  And for our main, a well-received fish casserole - fresh haddock, smoked salmon, chunk potato, diced tomato, heavy cream, milk, caramelized leeks, and rich sharp cheddar.  Served with crusty baguette.  It's always a bit anxiety-producing to have Padraic for dinner, his own cooking sets a high standard.  But seconds and thirds were taken and enjoyed with obvious relish.  Dessert was simple - fresh raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries with custard sauce and heavy dessert cream - with some milk chocolate biscuits and caramel chocolates.  And rich brewed coffee to wash it all down.  I fetched the Duffys at half six (6:30) and returned them safely home at midnight.  As always, an evening filled with good and far-ranging conversation.  The ever-changing sky outside the cottage provided a wonderful backdrop and we saw our best sunset of the holiday so far.  The clouds cooperated, giving us a veritable menagerie of imaginary animals and other creatures - bears, birds, recumbent Buddhas, Muppet characters, etc.  Marion and Padraic are feverishly preparing for the three-week visit of their son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter, arriving from Australia on Saturday.  Their other son and his family will be coming up from Waterford in southeast Ireland.  A busy and happy time ahead for them.

I'm happy to report that we have booked the cottage for next year.  Although we had liked being in-town for our previous visits, it's hard to beat the views here in Coolbareen, Barley Hill, just a few kilometers north of Westport.  We are in town center within 7 minutes time by car, and it's a lovely walk or bike in.

A windswept sky on Barley Hill