Kilmacurragh, Powerscourt and our adventures on the West Coast

**All photos in this post are from the internet, not taken by me**

Goodness gracious! I didn't count. but that may have been the longest stretch of no blogging so far. Excuses, go!

1. My kids had a week long mid-term break from school. It sure is a lot more hectic having those two little angels home from school every day! (Redemption: They did chill in a coffee shop twice with me while I wrote. Good kids.)
2. Umm... Yeah... Still no wifi at the house. (Redemption: I finally got the piece of mail I need to fill out and mail back in to get the piece of mail I need to go open my bank account and go and open my wifi account. Like Alice down the rabbit hole this wifi adventure has been!)
3. While my kids were on break, we traveled across the country to the West Coast and tried to check out Clare Island, where the Pirate Queen of the 16th century, Grania O'Malley was from. Atlantic swells prevented us from catching the ferry to go on the island, but we did get to see it from afar. Why this prevented me from writing my blog, I don't know. I just wanted a number three on this.

While I went a while without posting, the kids and I did get to go on a few great adventures. We went to the Museum of Country Living in Castlebar (for my purposes) located next to a beautiful old house, restored and functioning as offices for the museum, called the Turlough House.

In this photo, the museum is off to the left of the house.

After making a record breaking fast trip through the museum we took the trail around the grounds and decided to go see the ocean. We drove out to Achill Island and saw beautiful coastline and crashing waves. The ocean was a deep teal color and the rush of the waves colliding with the rocks threw a magnificent spray, creating a dynamic visual display. The mountain goats didn't seem as impressed, but they did impress the kids, who did impressions of them. It was quite a spectacle. 

The second day, we winded along the coastline south from Westport, where we had stayed, and explored more coastline on our way down to Kylemore Abbey. I guess it can be said that keeping your eye on the gas tank isn't as important as interpreting and doing something about what you see. I watched it descend, and I did stop at a station, but without an ATM around and only fifteen euros in my wallet, I decided to just wait and fill up after we found an ATM. So, in the next town, I found the ATM, but not the station. Eh, I figured I'd just do it at the next town. And away we went, the kids contentedly listening to C.S. Lewis on an audio book, and I expertly trusting we'd make it. It was then we were presented with driving down through the exquisite Dough Loo Pass with the gas light on the whole way. It took everything I had to not stop and take pictures at every turn out, knowing that we were going to be quite lucky if we made it to Leenane, the next town, and hoping Leenane had a gas station! The voice in my head went on about how silly I had been for not turning around in the town that had the ATM to find petrol, but I kept drowning it out with a mantra of, "We'll make it to a service station. We'll make it to a service station," willing the car to take us safely to a pump, its reward being a full belly upon arrival. I am happy to report my mantra worked! We coasted through Leenane twice on fumes until I realized the one petrol pump was on the curb in front of a pub. We pulled over and got petrol and a bottle of water and were on our way to Kylemore Abbey!

We stopped at Kylemore and had a wonderful time exploring the expansive Victorian Walled Garden and the parts of the Abbey open to visitors, The Abbey is still being used by Benedictine Nuns, who moved in after their Abbey in Ypres, Belgium they lived in since the 1600s was destroyed early in WWI. Down a bit along the lake, stands a Gothic-style cathedral we visited, also. The carvings inside were intricate and breathtaking. We each lit a candle at the prayer alter and then made our way back along the lake. Stopping at the cafe, we enjoyed some of the most delicious soup I've ever had, served with gluten free rolls! It was a magical day and a magical holiday! I can't wait to see the West Coast in the spring. With how beautiful it was now, I can only imagine what it will be like after everything blooms! 

The highlight for the kids: the swimming pool at the hotel. Period.

So, as you can see, it has been a busy week and I am glad for the first time that the kids are back at school. (sorry guys, no offence) I can go back to my schedule of following wherever I feel the urge to go for my research each day and it feels great. Like coming to Halperin's this morning to sit at my computer and type this. I've been excited to do this for two days now!

Like I said in Excuse #1, I did get to write a bit over the week which was grand. I came across an exciting envelope in the story, but we left the coffee shop before I got through writing what was in the envelope and I forgot. So that'll come back to me, I'm sure. At least I can remember who the letter in it pertains to, so that's a start. 

Last Monday, we went up to Powerscourt House and Gardens and ran into some classmates of the kids and their mom. We had a lovely day walking around the gardens with them and I even got a sketch done!

The gardens at Powerscourt were listed as one of the top ten gardens to visit in the world recently, and it could easily be seen why. The gardens began in the 1730s and have been cultivated and loving cared for throughout the lineage of the residents of the gorgeous Powerscourt House overseeing their maintenance and updating over the years. The gardens are a little too splendid to be the basis for Sophia's family's gardens, but they did show me a fantastic walled garden area that was promising.

The Friday before, however, I got to see a ruined house and triumphant garden only fifteen minutes from where we live. It is all and all very promising and I am excited to go back on Wednesday for another look. I am speaking of a place called Kilmacurragh, now a National Botanic Garden and home to one of the most important collections of mature exotic trees in the world. 

Walking through the land, it felt familiar, as if I could almost see Sophia walking around there, with the forests creating themselves far behind the house and gardens for my purposes. And even the house spoke to me of her home. As I said, the once gorgeous house unfortunately fell to ruin when most all of the men who either owned it, or oversaw it died in WWI. The remaining family did not have the means to care for the house. It was ran as a Hotel for a bit, but was eventually taken over by the Land Commission after disputes of land ownership. Still, looking at old pictures of it and seeing the ruins myself, I feel like they are pieces of the puzzle I am collecting. Here is a link to an article about its present condition, including a picture of what it looked like in 1932. 

Well, by now I'm sure the lovely ladies at this coffee shop are wondering if I'm moving in, so I better be off. It's been nice to get caught up. I think I even kinda missed you, blog. Hope all's well in your world, whoever is reading this. Much love!

cheers

writing the shadows with the light

It's quite uncomfortable having to write the characters you really love as being human and having moments of, shall we say, cruelty. I understand it's part of the process, but it is still upsetting nonetheless to have to portray the ugly side of someone you have come to love because you know that person winds up having such a beautiful side, it shines beyond any ugliness that was once there. But I suppose it's just as much my job to paint the ugly as it is to paint the beauty. And just as important to truly portray an honest arc of growth throughout the storyline. Sigh... It still leaves me uncomfortable.

And what this cruelty creates for the others in the story is rough as well. I want to comfort them. It's like having kids and you want to tell them, it's okay, it's all going to be okay! I know it all works out in the end! But it wouldn't help telling them because they have to learn it on their own. And honestly there's no way for me to completely know if it does all work out for my characters in the end until the end is written. I sure hope it will work out. It's much easier in real life because, as a wise woman once told me, "everything works out in the end. so if it's not working out, it's not the end." Not as true for a book. I certainly hope it all works out. I have faith in my characters, but they too, are still just human. Nothing to do I suppose but to keep writing and hope for the best.

cheers

Wherefore, wifi? And discovering empathy

I am beginning to seriously question whether we are meant to have wifi in our place or not. I definitely do not mind the excuse to come to the lovely coffee shop, Halperin's, but I know the kids and the fam back home would like to communicate on a more regular basis. Let's get this taken care of already!

I decided next week I will go and investigate a place called Sally Gap that takes you up and through a central part of the mountains. It seems like a wild place that Sophia and Saul may have traversed though, so that makes it a definite trip for me.

I also have been kindly given a few local contacts by another mom at the school and I will begin to reach out to people next week as well. I'm surprised it's taken me this long to feel comfortable enough to start calling up and emailing people over here to discuss my book. I would assume finally getting settled in our home has a lot to do with it, but it is certainly interesting that I have been here over a month now and have not set up anything official yet. I haven't even set foot in a library! Don't mistake my surprise for anxiety or worry at this point, however. I'm fully comfortable in trusting that the cadence of this research is in perfect rhythm with my writing process.

Speaking of writing, I have good news! Tuesday morning Sophia and Tristan made up, and did so beautifully. As soon as I finished writing their conversation, it was remarkably obvious to me why they had to get in the fight in the first place. It was a good reminder that even when things seem to be going in a rocky direction with a friend, sometimes the rocks are exactly what we need to break through walls within ourselves that keep us from seeing others with empathy and trying to understand another's perspective. We need to remember we have the power to be empathetic of others, whether we fully understand or agree with their decisions. Boy, I love these characters!

 In a week, the kids get a week off school and I want to find some places to take them around the country. A few day trips and maybe one overnight, depending on how far we want to go from home base. The kids and I will probably go check out Clew Bay over in County Clare during their break because it is the location where Grania O'Malley, the famed Pirate Queen, lived. We had a great interest in her (still do) about a year ago and her story was the chosen bedtime story for many a night. I was pleasantly surprised when my daughter, talking to her pottery teacher when I mentioned trying to check out that area, rattled off the most informative facts about Grania's life. It must have sunk in!

Heh, Hello!

Yes, well, ahem.... Okay. I'm late. Super late. Even later than Becky-time late. It certainly did stretch out longer than a week since the last time I wrote, but in my defense, a lot has happened. I know. That is just all the more reason I should have written more often to keep up with it all, but, ya know. So, biggest news is, We moved into our place!!! It's a lovely little condo thing (never would have seen that coming) and the space is perfect for us! It's two stories with three bedrooms and two baths upstairs (one bedroom has an en-suite, which will work perfect for visitors...hint,hint) and the downstairs has a nice entry, hallway, half bath, cosy living room and perfect kitchen/dining room with a balcony off the back we can even see some of the ocean from, after looking over some horse pasture! I'm very pleased I waited. Because most importantly, it feels right. And the location is fantastic. Five minutes from the kids' school, five minutes from the main motorway, and ten to fifteen minutes from the mountains. So grand!!!

The delay moving came in the form of a stomach virus that had me out of commission for a day and  had me feeling like I wanted to be out of commission for three. But, no one else was going to lug the 50+ lb. suitcases from the hostel to the house for me, so I sucked it up and made it happen. (Can you hear the tiny violins now?) Lol I am just glad the bug I felt skipped the kids. They are loving the new place, and are pleased to be able to unpack finally. I will get the wifi running tomorrow and all my posts will soon grow pictures! Yay!

Over the weekend we went up to Glendalough to celebrate St. Brigid's Day and made St. Brigid's crosses out of reeds and had the most beautiful harpist play the most beautiful music during a meditation that was truly enlightening. The robin that visited us the first time we went there came back to welcome us as soon as we pulled up and it was a lovely, though bitterly cold, day. I intend on spending more time up in those mountains once it gets a tad warmer!

My daughter and I also started our pottery classes last week, and I am so pleased she loves it. I also enjoyed a comfortable return to the wheel after not having been on it for over a year, and came out with a lovely mug (which I will pull a handle for tomorrow) and a small bowl. It is quite important when instigating large changes in your life (like moving to another country where you know no one) to cultivate familiar links to the parts of yourself you enjoy experiencing. Pottery is an old friend and I am so thankful we can visit here. And I am thankful I'm only allowed two hours a week to do it, for it easily becomes something that I will spend most of my time doing. So, these limited little voyages into the potter's space in my brain will remain unobtrusive to my main purpose here, but will be respected as a cherished part of my weekly schedule.

Well, time for me to go take care of some things, like opening a bank account. signing up for wifi, and buying lightbulbs for the kids' bedrooms. Let there be light in all of your days, as well! Sending hugs!

cheers