Packing frenzy! We have nine people spread around a good-sized house for a week. But we’re up to the challenge. Strong young men haul loaded suitcases up from the bedrooms. Kat makes bacon sandwiches. Jason hauls out trash, loads suitcases in our car as Logan, Savanna and Colt are going to ride with the wonderful Ray from Ashford—and much more luggage.

I do a thorough Mom check, all levels. Discover a drawer of socks, then learn not ours—were there on our arrival. Put them back.

All systems go, and in the misty morning we head out. It’s not raining, and the thick skies thin here and there, just a little. Those clouds are smoke over the mountains, and the water’s a steely gray spread to a thousand shades of green. Ray’s in the lead, with Kat (In Carl the car) Kayla, JR and Griffin who apparently does some booster seat dancing to Kayla’s playlist. Jason and I have the rear flank.

All so gradually along our just-under-an-hour drive, a little more clears up above.

And here’s the turn for Ashford, and the cheerful gatekeeper. Now we’re on the tree-lined road, green tunnels, those wonderfully enormous trees. Another turn, and there it is. The gorgeous gray stone castle and the lovely Lough Corrib with its green knuckles of islands.

Catherine Kenny, who’s been our guardian angel throughout, waits to greet us. And Niall Rochford, the GM, with her. I remember them well from our last trip, and remember the staff as well as the sheer magnificence of castle and grounds are what make Ashford so special.

The sun’s pushing to come out as if to greet us, too. In no time we’re whisked in. My room’s ready so we can hang there for a bit, or wander, or gather in the tea room for a drink or lunch.

We do all of that. Catherine’s also contacting a nurse to talk to me—my voice is still pretty much out—and Kayla, who’s improving every day. This gives me time to unpack some, join the others, then back to my room to talk to the nurse on the phone.

No sore throat, no shortness of breath, no nothing but congestion and kind of half-assed laryngitis. We go over what I’ve been doing, and while she’s happy to make an appointment with the doctor, she believes I’m already doing what he’d say to do. When it’s Kayla’s turn, the recommendation is to make an appointment if she gets worse, as she’s already nearly back to 100%.

More unpacking for me, then I join the others, have some chips and a glass of champagne. Ahh. And the sun’s out!

So we take advantage. A long lovely walk on the grounds, where Griffin is thrilled to find a maze. Mazes are one of his favorite things. Live music across the way at Cullen’s. They’re doing Rhinestone Cowboy.

I am amused.

A little shopping in the gift shop crosses four, count them, four, more Christmas gifts off my list. From there, it’s the walk to the walled garden, over the grounds, around the trees and through the stone tunnel.

It’s so beautiful there. A long arbor of green, blooms everywhere you look. Flood of feathery astilbes, pale lavender roses with a glorious scent, tumbles of nasturtiums. And curiously, a patch of corn.

I’m drafted to fight zombies with Griffin-a Minecraft thing. So we run—me in my heavy boots—with our invisible wooden swords. Kat stands as a villager with iron swords to sell. So we upgrade, fight some more. Colt joins and we upgrade to diamond swords sold by Villager Jason.

Walking back, Kat, Griffin and I take a path through the woods. It’s a little muddy from the rain so Kayla in her white sneakers declines. We wind our way, out again, cross paths with the rest. Colt, Griffin and Kat go up a stone tower and down again.

Then we spot Logan and Savanna on the path, and all go in together.

I’m back to my room to organize a bit and will meet the gang in the Billiard Room where they can wait until their rooms are ready.

It’s a big castle, and I get turned around, but someone’s always there to assist, and I’m shown the way to the Billiard Room. JR’s knocking balls into pockets for Griffin’s entertainment. Others lounge. I step outside where the air is so fresh, the sky blue again, and  the lake’s so pretty.

Rooms ready, keys delivered, and we’re escorted to Jason and Kat and Griffin’s suite. It’s lovely, roomy and bright. There’s a stuffed red squirrel and a book as gifts on Griffin’s bed in the adjoining room.

The rest are on the same floor, so we check out everyone’s space. Lovely rooms, lovely views.

Plenty of time to take a breath, for all to unpack, shake off the travel day. We’re having dinner in The Dungeon on the castle’s lower level. I go back to my rooms, have some tea, check the headlines back home. Put that away as much too depressing.

Change for dinner, check in with Kat and Jason, and as there’s time, tell them I’m taking another walk and will meet them at The Dungeon at dinner time.

We’re blessed with a seriously beautiful evening. Blue, blue skies, blue water, light breeze, shining green, the shadows of distant mountains. When I’m in my boots again, I’ll take another path through the marvel of the woods.

But it’s time to meet the gang, and Jason’s waiting for me at the top of the stairs just in case.

Everyone’s changed into We’re-Having-A-Nice-Dinner clothes. More champagne for me, thank you very much. Kat entertains bow-tied Griffin with a disappearing purple Pikmin. Jason and I assist in the magic tricks. We talk—I mostly croak—study the menu. At home, we probably have steak once every month or two, but I’m having it. So is Colt, so is Logan. And there’s warm, yummy bread and butter.

We eat well. I manage half my steak. Colt manages his and the rest of mine. Where does he put it???? Kat takes Griffin off to bed—she’s ready, too as her non-alcoholic cocktail went to her head. I suppose alcohol-adjacent was enough for her.

The rest of us have dessert. A hot fudge brownie sundae? Oh hell, yes. I can’t finish it, but oh boy, what a way to cap off a meal.

We make what I’ll call a plan-ish for the first full day. Breakfast whenever—that’ll happen while I work out, and someone will bring me some bacon (I do love Irish bacon) and a Diet Coke. Some of us will likely walk down to Cong and poke about. If the day is clear enough we’ll take the short trip to Ross-Errily. I really want the younger set to experience it.

There’s the Glebe stone circle a blink away, so there’s that. We have activities booked, but later in our stay.

My view this morning is some hopeful sunshine filtering through the clouds, and islands of green floating on the blue-gray lake.

Ashford is as wonderful as I remember.

Nora