Courtown, Avoca and Glendalough

Courtown, Avoca and Glendalough

At Courtown

Don't let those blue skies fool you  again... it was freezing this morning.... the cars were iced up and all. But have to admit the sunshine and cold is better than the rain.

There was a power blackout in Gorey overnight and the hotel lost its internet connection.
eeeekkkk...

So  Paddy came to my rescue and took me down to Joannes cafe for a coffee and a fix of wifi!

Then we went out to Courtown, which is about 10 mins out of Gorey and on the coast. It is a lovely place. Once again I have heaps of photos - double the usual amount because Paddy is a happy snapper too!

Courtown

Paddy at Courtown

Courtown

The wave got me!!!

Courtown

Paddy at Courtown

It was lovely spending some time with Paddy. Most of the time I am happy to be a solo traveller, but it is nice to connect with people along the journey and have some  decent conversation.

Actually it's amazing how many people have asked me "Are you travelling on your own?" And they look kind of astonished as they ask... I must  admit I don't  even think about it, but maybe it seems unusual to some people???

So, I said a fond farewell to Paddy and continued on my merry journey.

OK... here's another one of those "Can you guess where I am?" moments. These pics are clues, then I'll tell you underneath...

It was my Mum's favourite program and you daren't ring whilst it  was on! 

Ballykissangel was filmed in the  town of Avoca. Even though it hasn't been on our screens for a while, you can still see the repeats if you search hard enough. I have to admit, I watched each episode too, so I always have a  pilgrimage to Avoca when I'm here. Went into the Church and lit a candle and prayed for my Mum and Dad there too.

There's also another place quite nearby called "The meeting of the waters" and it also reminds me of my Mum because I think she used to sing the song that was composed there.. It's a lovely place where two rivers meet...

Meeting of the  Waters Avoca

Meeting of the  Waters Avoca

Avoca was freezing... I parked my car a little way down the street and walked to the Church and the cold nearly burnt my face off! It was like the cold surrounded me and got  into my bones. Nice for a change, but not sure that I would like to have cold like this every day!

The next place on my  journey is one of the most beautiful in Ireland... Glendalough.

Glendalough

It is a place of both historical significance and of natural beauty. There are the  remains of a monastery founded by St Kevin in the 6th Century but there are also these beautiful lakes in the valley between the most majestic mountains. And today there was just a hint of mist (and cold!) that gave the place an almost mystical feel (get the pun!)

Glendalough

Glendalough

Glendalough

Glendalough

I went for a walk around the first lake (3 km -aren't you proud of me, you doubters!) And it was just beautiful. I walked through the forest and you could hear the stillness...

Glendalough

Glendalough

Glendalough

It was just another moment on this trip where you could feel the presence of God.

So, I hopped back into the car for the last leg of my round trip around Ireland. I was very conscious of that as I was driving into Dublin. Gaby Garmin did me proud again and brought me safely back to the home of Mary and Nicky.

I can't believe in one way that I have completed the circuit. Yet, as I was driving along the freeway into Dublin, there were the signs to Belfast and Cork and Derry and I kept thinking that I would love to start again... I am really grateful for the holiday I have had  and I guess it's a good sign that I'm not busting to get home, that I would happily go on if I could.

Yet I have so many magnificent experiences that will live with me forever and I feel so lucky to have had this opportunity.

Tomorrow I hope to go to Baggot St - the place where the Sisters of Mercy were founded. That will be a nice way to just round off my Irish experience.

Two more days in Ireland... hopefully I won't waste a minute  of either of them!