A week on the southern coast of Ireland

It would be my luck that in the midst of all of the moving stress, I've come down with a cold/terrible allergies; I can't tell which it is, but I'm feeling preeeeettyy crap. So I thought it might be soothing to revisit my week's holiday in County Cork with The Irishman and his family. Even though it's only been two weeks, it feels like a year ago already!

I've blogged before about my visits to a tiny corner of the Irish coast called Oysterhaven where The Irishman's family has been going every summer for over 20 years. It's one of the most idyllic, relaxing and wonderful places in the world. I never have mobile reception or Wifi so I truly shut down, and relish indulging in reading, chasing the sun, outdoor pursuits like walking and running, and having nice big meals with plenty of good wine. Really, what's not to enjoy?

But I also make The Irishman take me out for drives to see touristy things; this year we went to Blarney Castle and I kissed the famous Blarney Stone. 

 

 We also strolled the streets of Clonakilty, a postcard-perfect village west of Cork.

And of course, spent time on the golf course. Well, The Irishman and his family did – I don't golf, and have no interest in learning, so I just hung out in the sun on the porch of the clubhouse enjoying the view.

I also requested some time on a beach; Ireland has tons of beaches, being an island of course, however most of them lead into freezing cold Atlantic seas. So my beach day consisted of a walk to collect shells and feel the sun on my back. It was a good way to walk off the pizza lunch we had at Ballymaloe Cookery School – if you ever go to southern Ireland, make sure you stop in there as it is such a treat!

  

The nearest town to where we stay is Kinsale, and I always make The Irishman take in for a wander. It doesn't matter how many times I've strolled the streets, I still get excited looking at the colorful homes and flowers. It's such a cute little place!

Usually we start our trek back to London on a Sunday evening, but this year we took Monday off as well and headed into Cork City before going to the airport to visit The English Market. It's one of the biggest and oldest indoor markets in Europe and it's FABULOUS. We wandered around for at least an hour and helped The Irishman's mom pick up some food for the week before having lunch upstairs in the restaurant. All of the food served there is from the market (obviously) and locally grown/sourced. Such an amazing treat to cap off our lovely, wonderful week.

Please let me know if you go to Ireland; I love hearing other people's stories about their adventures there, and getting new tips and suggestions of places to visit!

The view from my office the last 2 days...

Heading Home

I apologize to all of you for my lack of posting lately; somehow between work, house-hunting, friends visiting and life in general I found myself neglecting Bloody Brilliant. And now I'm going to do it again as I'm writing this on the Gatwick Express train, on my way to catch a flight back to the US.

I posted earlier in the year about how difficult it can be as an expat trying to fit in all of the things going on in your friends lives while far away in relation to my friend's wedding in Florida. Well that wedding is next weekend, and while The Irishman and I decided it was imperative we be there, we also decided to do it as cheaply as possible: flying to the airport closest to the wedding as it was the least expensive flight (but on USAirways - ick - with a stopover and horrible times) and only going for 4 days and missing some of the festivities.

But about three weeks ago I received an email from a relative that I'm not particularly close to saying he was hosting a 65th birthday brunch this coming Sunday and while he knew I was far away he wanted me to know I was invited and would love it if I could be there. And that got me thinking, well, I would LIKE to be there. And I would like to see my family - especially Mom-Mom - as if I do end up by some miracle actually buy a house this year it's unlikely I'll be able to afford to fly home again anytime soon.

So I called up USAirways and changed my outbound flight to today, instead of next Wednesday, for nearly two-thirds the original cost of the ticket. But it's completely worth it to me to have time with my family, on my own, and to fully relax for a week instead of cramming a transatlantic flight and beach wedding into 5 days. Also to luxuriate in the ability to just flick on the tv to watch Mad Men and Game of Thrones without having to stream it or use some diddly technical apparatus. Go ahead, be jealous.

So my train has arrived - this is me - and I'm off with! (with maybe a teensy weensy stop in Duty Free on the way). Speak to you in 10 days - have a fab time while I'm gone.