Ireland—Day Two

On this rainy morning, Griffin and his daddy are the other early risers. They greet me as they pass the gym on their way upstairs. Workout done, dressed for the lazy, rainy day, I head up to find some of the group at breakfast. Jason makes me some toasted brown bread and butter. Yum.

The bay’s all misty with the rain and little boats float on the gray.

With the rain, some lounging, some still sleeping, I decide to write for an hour or two. Jason helps me set up my lap top on the big dining room table. I need an extension cord, which—being Jason—he’s brought along. As I write, others get up, and I hear lots of talk and laughter from the kitchen. It’s a very nice playlist for someone who generally works in silence.

I put in my time, and satisfied, shut down. And the rain’s stopped, the skies are clearing a bit. I fix Kayla a little lunch, JR and Kat go for a few more supplies. I put my boots on, a vest and scarf and go out for a tour of the gardens. Our neighbor, the donkey, runs to the stone fence to bray at me.

Jason and Griffin come out, and this time Daddy’s challenged to races. More blue than gray now in the sky, and a brisk breeze along with the sunlight. It feels marvelous. I decide to go get scissors and cut some flowers for the house. Shasta daisies, yellow daisies, pink roses, flowers I don’t recognize. They make a nice bright spot on the kitchen table.

I see in the distance, Savanna’s lead Logan and Kat down to the edge of the bay. I’ll have to try that—need to pick the way over rocks.

I’ve opened a window in my room and now can’t close it. Apparently everyone’s got the same problem, but JR figures it out, and demonstrates the little release button.

Good to know.

Kayla’s up and around, but doesn’t feel up to going out to dinner. We plan to go for pub grub, and a first Guinness for Logan, JR and Savanna. But it’s a small village, and it’s Sunday. Options are very limited.

We change out of lounge around clothes and head out to the one open pub. Really more of a bar, as it turns out. Pool table in the front, tables in the back. A few people playing pool, but we’re the only patrons in the back.

Half pints of Guinness for the three who want to try it. JR likes, Logan likes, Savanna likes a bit less so Logan drinks most of her glass. And I think, the last he was in Ireland with me, Logan was about three, younger than Griffin.

Time zooms.

Since the bar doesn’t serve food, Kat’s found a take-away fish and chips place that also has burgers and chicken, etc. We’ll take a veggie burger back to Kayla. JR, Kat, Griffin and Colt once again head out for supplies. We always seem to forget one thing. The rest of us head to place our dinner order.

It’s a cute little place, efficient and friendly. They also have milkshakes which my three companions order. It’s spitting some rain now and considerably colder. Then before our order’s up—very efficient—the rain’s stopped.

We start back, relying on the GPS, which doesn’t tell us to turn right or left out of the tiny lot. We choose incorrectly and end up going for an adventurous, scenic ride on a seriously skinny road around the bay in a tidy little neighborhood. Up, down, wind, wind. It’s really pretty, and a challenge for Jason.

He meets the challenge, and we’re back. Time to use the big dining table, set out plates, divvy up the orders. I open my take-away box to a HUGE slab of golden fried cod and a football field of fries.

It’s all delish.

Everyone’s happy and very well-fed.

There’s been talk about streaming the Minecraft movie on this chilly evening. Lounging clothes again, and my choice is pjs. We gather in what we think of as the TV room, on the big couch, big beanbag chairs, wherever, and Jason sets up the streaming on the big TV through his laptop.

Griffin’s already seen the movie two or three times, but this doesn’t lessen his enjoyment. It’s bright, funny, wacky and sweet.

Then it’s definitely time for bed. Made it till almost 11!

And still I’m awake shortly after five. WHY? Give sleep another shot, but fail. So upstairs I go to get a Diet Coke to fuel me to write the blog. And there’s Griffin sitting at the counter watching a Minecraft video. He invites me to watch with him, but I tell him I need to write the blog, workout, then I can watch.

Five minutes later, he peeks in my room, tells me he’s just checking on me. LOL. So I suggest he bring his IPad down and we can watch while I write the blog. So while I write this, he’s stretched out on my bed, explaining Obsidian, Hacker Blocks, zombies, and many other aspects to me.

And I think how lovely it is he wants to share and keep me informed.

I’m nearly done when Jason comes in, wondering where his kid is. So three generations sit on the bed awhile until the video ends.

Now my boy’s upstairs making breakfast for his boy.

I’m going to work out, get dressed and see what the day has in store.