Travels in Eire #19

Darren practically dragged Cailin out the front door he was so anxious to get out of the house. She couldn't help but laugh as they started to walk across the gravel front of the house.

“Cailin, that's the first time I've really heard you laugh so much!” Darren told her.

“Darren, it's just the whole situation. Your gramps is hilarious, and he knows how to get your mom going. I feel bad not staying to help with the dinner dishes,” she replied.

“Mum will manage. She'll probably get da to help her tonight. It's this way...” as Darren pointed to the right as they walked past the entry to the house.

As they followed the small road in the opposite direction from when the initially drove up, they came to an older section of the area and a brightly lit pub. The sign over the door said Paddy's.

“Let's see what everyone is up to here at Paddy's. If there's no music, or only the older crowd is here, we'll head down another few doors to The Wharf,”

As they entered the door there was no need to see if they needed to go further. Welcomes were all around for Darren. These were his mates hanging out for the evening. And they were sizing Cailin up and down as he walked in the door.

“'Bout time Darren, we see you've brought a pretty lass home for your Ma's approval,“ they teased.

“Now Declan, don't you go getting the horse before the cart. This is my friend, Cailin from America. She's here on vacation and I've offered to show her around Connemara the next few days. We met up in Derry at a music event I was hosting,” Darren tried to clear the air about their friendship quickly and hoped this would do the trick.

“Oh, right, my boyo. That means she's fair game? Cailin, nice to meet you, and come sit over here. I'd like to get to know you better,” Declan knew this would get to Darren, as he laughed.

As they took their seats, Darren made sure to put himself between Declan and Cailin. The two of them might not be together, but he knew Declan's reputation from way back. An order of drinks was made, with Cailin choosing her favorite Guinness, and Darren ordering a whiskey, neat. Cailin was introduced around to the rest of the group and was welcomed immediately.

There was music playing in the room next to them and it traveled through their area just enough so they could talk and listen. Darren introduced Cailin to the friends who were sitting with them. There were many questions about the States, which Cailin was used to by now and she tried to answer all honestly without glossing over the hardships the existed in the States. So many people thought that a world of opportunity was to be had when they arrived in the US, only to find that times were hard. Educated students even had trouble finding jobs.

As they chatted Cailin realized that there was now a second Guinness in front of her and Darren was on at least his third whiskey. She also notice that his usual in control demeanor had changed and become very relaxed. Almost too relaxed. It was getting late and Cailin mentioned to Darren that they might consider taking their leave as they had a big day tomorrow. Darren agreed as soon as they finished their drinks and they bade his friends a good night and headed back to Darren's parent's home.

It was obvious that Darren was more than a little tipsy. Instead of just putting his arm around her shoulder, he was practically hanging on her, chatting away about nothing in particular as they walked. As they neared the opening in the wall that lead to his parent's house, Darren suddenly stopped, pulled Cailin around so they were face to face and drew her near into a firm warm kiss. The Guinness seemed to have relaxed Cailin also as she responded in kind and realized that she was totally enjoying this moment. Darren arms wrapped around her with strength, but not forcefully. She felt cared for in a very special way. A second kiss followed, and both of them were looking at each other smiling.

Cailin was the first to speak, “I think we had better go in.” Darren quietly nodded and they entered the house as quietly as they could. Darren stopped at the door to the room Cailin would be staying in and was about to kiss Cailin again as he hear someone stirring next door in his parent's room. He quickly pulled back, put his finger to his lips, then to hers, smiled, leaned passed Cailin, as he had that first night at the hotel, and opened the door for her. She entered as she saw Darren bounding up the stairs with that great smile still plastered on his face. Was this just the actions of someone who had too much to drink? At this point Cailin didn't really care. She was very happy. She felt cared for again.

Things to mention

There are so many topics I haven't touched on during each of the daily blogs, so I thought I might cover a few of them here. These are observations form a variety of things we saw and experienced.

First let me start with the “hen parties”. Everywhere we went we saw groups of girls and ladies as part of the hen party. This is pretty much a bachelorette party. Girls and their bridal parties and friends go from Dublin to Glasgow,or vice versa, or from outside of Dublin to the city for a weekend. At the airport when we left for Galsgow there were groups arriving and groups departing. They all had t-shirts on like – Karen's Herns, or Susie's Hen Trip 2009. Even on our Hop-on-Hop-off trip in Galsgow there were a group of hens who boarded to ride around the city.
Not so different from the groups I see going to Las Vegas for a weekend, except for the fact that these girls/women can be adorned with ribbons, or rabbit ears an the bride weaaring a decorative short veil. They definietly want it to be known they are all together. If they don't leave town they may be in a limo or celebrating in a local pub one evening.
Great craic for everyone.

The next thing I want to mention are the showers in Ireland. Or maybe I should say shower stalls. As far as getting enough hot water there is no problem. The Triton, heat as you need it power showers are great. Most of the shower stalls are very small. If you don't stand diagonal when you reach up to wash your hair, you will probably be bumping your elbows agains the walls. That should give you a good idea of the size. The hotels usually have bath tubs, so that works better, but B&Bs are the ones with the tiny showers. If I remember correctly, some of the self-catering cottages from my last trip had the same if the bathrooms were ensuite. And I do have so say I have seem some of the smallest bathrooms – sink and toilet- as can every be created. In some of the restaurants they had the Dyson hand dryer that I've seen advertised on TV. Very cool.

On to the wonderful sunny weather we had while traveling. The day we arrived in Dublin it was raining, but soon stopped. We had one very rainy day in Glasgow and a few sprinkles other days along the way. But for the most part the weather was sunny and beautiful. The reason Ibring this up is I wanted to mention about how many people we saw at the beachs around Ireland. And no wetsuits in the very cold water. Now when I say it was warm, I'm talking about 75-80 degrees, and 80 is really pushing it. So here were all these people at the beach on a sunny 75 degree day in the water. Mostly just up to their knees, but still in the water.
The one thing that really made me smile was when we checked into our B&B in Sligo. On the side of the house was a stone rock driveway that lead to an area to park and a place for the family to BBQ. No patio just all a loose rock area. When we arrived about 5PM there was the owner's daughter, home from college in her bikini on a lounge chair working on her tan! Just something I found quite unique for the weather and location.

I could definitey understand this by the beach, but here in the back driveway/bbq area just looked so out of place. Made me smile as Ireland has always surprised me in many ways.


So on to my last subject for a while. In Irland there is a known precidence when you are at a pub. If you sit at a table, or in a snug (both) you are not bothered. It's an unwritten understanding that you don't want to be disturbed. But the story is totally different if you take a stool at the bar. So one night Sarah and I ventured down to the pub that was attached to our Inn. (I should mention that while most stays were B&Bs, some were guest houses or inns to accommodate our room needs).
We took a couple of stools at the bar and after a few minutes we were engaged in conversation first with the barman, and then with a few gentlemen sitting a ways down from us. Before we knew it as we were getting ready to purchase a second round, one of the gentlemen bought us a round. Now the rule of courtesy here, is that you reciprocate with a round. But we hardly had a chance when the second gentleman bought a round. So by now I've had 3 glasses (not pints) of Guinness, and Sarah was on her 3rd whiskey. Sarah is a whiskey drinker and I love my Guinness.
We had not even had dinner yet and were due to leave. When we asked for suggestions ffor a place to go to dinner one of the gentlemen suggested we go to his place. By then Sarah and I were full of giggles, made our excuses and left to go eat. We tol the gentlemen that we “may” be back later that night, but would probably see them the next night. From what we heard, I guess they thought we'd be back for sure that evening and they went home and got all spiffed up and returned. We were tired after a long day and after dinner went to our room not realizing what had happened.
The next night, as we had planned, we stopped by the pub again to basically an empty bar. Our two new Irish friend, Paul and John were no where in site, so we “chatted it up”, as they say with Eugene the barman until closing.
We diid leave some money with Eugene to buy the 2 guys a reciprocating drink, which Eugene promised he would do. Not quite sure what would have happened had we returned that first night! LOL