It's been awhile...

I started out blogging pretty frequently at the beginning of our holiday this year.  But I've faded a bit as time has gone on.  I don't know if I'm being lazy, or if I'm starting to view our time here as a more regular part of our life.  It hasn't been routine by any means; we've engaged in all our most familiar and favorite activities - taking daytrips to beautiful places, luxuriating in taking our time - lingering over a cup of coffee and a scone or just moping around town on foot - stopping to view store windows, hanging out with Padraic and Marion, treasuring their company and enjoying Padraic's simple, but well-executed and fully realized, cooking - fresh fish and veg, fresh berries and cream, Marion's crumbles, and world-class after dinner coffee.  I've played a lot of high quality golf - several go-rounds at Westport GC, a round at the extraordinary Connemara Golf Links, and two rounds this week at a newly discovered favorite - Ballinrobe Golf Club, close at hand to Westport.  So perhaps it is that I've been lazy.  It seems the most likely explanation...

Tomorrow we'll be doing two very fun things - going, with Padraic and Marion, to our 2nd Gaelic Football match at McHale Park in neighboring Castlebar and returning to Westport afterward for a concert.  As I reported earlier, our first match ended in immense disappointment, with our home team Mayo being defeated by their neighbors and arch-rivals, Galway, in the provincial semi-finals.  There still remains the "back door" option for Mayo, but it requires a few additional wins.  That process begins tomorrow with a crucial match with Co Fermanagh.  The local weekly county newspaper, the Mayo News, devoted several pages last week analyzing every aspect of the team - skill, commitment, character, strategy - you can't imagine the pride and emotional investment fans have in their teams.  Remember, all the athletes are amateurs -  they're known to everyone - and the community has seen them progress from young hopefuls to become the embodiment of the county's hopes.  McHale can seat as many as 38,000 people, when we went approximately 15,000 fans were present.  It's a great experience- - win or lose.  Up Maigh Eo!

After the match we'll have a bit of dinner, and then head to attend the concert at one of the local cafes.  Some Westport musicians of excellent reputation have formed a new group focusing on jazz and blues - should be great.  And the cafe has some of the best coffee and desserts in town :)

Had a pretty idle day today, but we did drive to one of the most stunning landscapes on God's good earth - Doolough - the dark lake.  It's about a thirty minute drive from Westport and we can't possibly come to Ireland without a visit.  I've included a number (a large number) of pictures below.  And, of course, we drove out with the recommendation of a great cafe on the way - Glen Keen Farm.  I had their Apple, Parsnip, and Coconut soup with cumin and cilantro.  Candee had their Crab and Corn chowder.  Both were served with that wonderful staple of Irish cuisine - homemade brown bread: everyone has their own recipe, and they're all terrific.  Ah, but few can stand up to Marion's own ;)  We finished with a lemon tart of astounding tartness (some whipped cream balanced and completed the dish) and some very nice coffees.  My waistline has suffered from our holiday and I have taken to referring to myself as Mr. Fatso.  Some self-discipline will certainly need to be exercised immediately upon my return to the States...

Remember, if you click on the pictures, you get a larger version.  The last 3 shots are panoramic - give that click a shot...

Our greatly fun Nissan Micra - cheap little car and drives better than a British sports car

Doolough