Today was our physically fit day. We started our morning with an attempt at walking to the nearby cliffs of Moher. The hostess said it was only 5 minutes away! After we were 15 minutes into our walk, we realized that she meant it was a 5 minute car ride. So we changed our focus and went for a long morning walk around the countryside.
We are staying in an area that is quite rural. In fact, Mrs. B&B runs the inn while Mr. B&B tends the cows. There is even a hobby petting farm one house up.
The land here is all rolling hills that are parceled by beautiful ancient stacked shale stone fences and watched over by surprisingly large, simple and colorful houses.
After our walk, we returned to the Inn for a freshly prepared breakfast that included eggs, sausage, toast, fruit, yogurt, juice and coffee. Stephen and I shared a very leisurely and intimate meal while sitting in a quiet dining room. These are the moments that really resonate with me when we are traveling and for the first time, I realized I was on vacation.
At midday we went sea kayaking! We took a 3 hour paddle around the bay of Galway and it was magic! Not to mention the magic that was needed to get my curvy body into a wetsuit. Whoa, it's a been a few years since I had one on last but the feeling is the same. It's both a feeling of security and of suffocation. I don't know if I'll ever be strong enough or skilled enough to get into one of those things by myself!
The day started drizzly and grey but cleared up in time for us to set out into the water. About 40 minutes into the tour, it started drizzling again, then down pouring! The drizzle was enchanting, the downpour was misery. Thankfully the heavy rains swept further out into the ocean and we were eventually treated with sunny, partly-cloudy skies for the last hour of our tour. We saw castle ruins, sea birds and migratory birds aplenty. We took a quick stretch on a sandbar beach out in the middle of the bay. Most significantly, we didn't fall in. Water temps are still pretty cool here this time of year.
We savored some pub grub at McDermot's in the village of Doolin after our paddle. It was the best Guiness Pie I've ever had (a total of two). We had every intention of sticking around for the live music, until we found out that they started playing at 9:30pm. It was only 5:30 and there wasn't enough good beer in the bar to keep us satisfied for 4 hours.
Oh, and then there's that whole "up after 8pm" thing that we still struggle with.
We resolved to stay out late tomorrow night (St. Patty's Day) and really enjoy the culture!
I now write this posting from my bed at 8:45 with very heavy eyelids. Party people, we are not.
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