March 2023, Week Twenty

 Hello my lovelies, how are you all doing? Last week was another busy week for me, I didn't get out for any longer walks, but I do have some photos to share of the local area, and of course from the St Patrick's Weekend shenanigans, haha! I have been continuing my online classes and courses and I'm still enjoying my studies. I am so close to launching my new business, so I'll be telling you all about that soon.

Clouds over Raghtin Mor.

Crows on top of St. Mary's Church, Clonmany.

As I've told you before, the walk from my house to the local shops is so beautiful, that even if that's as far as I go, I absolutely love the views. And I don't even have to leave my house for beautiful views! Spring is still springing and there are flowers and buds everywhere. Ireland is so green, even in the midst of Winter, that it's difficult to imagine how much brighter things will get, but I see the proof daily. On sunny days, the contrast is just spectacular, but even on grey days there is so much colour and beauty to see.

Pair of Rooks in my garden.

Sunset view from my garden.

Two of my aunts came to visit me on Saturday for lunch, and I took them on a short walk to see the local Standing Stone and the Clonmany River Walk, which was lovely. They know this area very well, but those were things they hadn't seen before, so it was nice to be able to share in something new to them.

Standing Stone with Raghtin Mor in the background.

Bulaba/Bulbin through the trees and hedges.

Friday was St. Patrick's Day, as I'm sure most of you are aware, and it was my first time being in Ireland for that occasion. It is also Gareth's birthday, however, so instead of going out, I stayed in so we could have a virtual Date Night. Long distance relationships can be tough, but we make it work with things like this, marking special occasions and spending time together despite the miles between us. This is the healthiest, most fun and loving relationship I've ever been in, so there may be something to be said for being long distance. We don't spend enough time together for him to get tired of me, haha!

Pint of O'Hara's Irish Stout on Date Night.

The Ballyliffin Lodge and Spa Bar.

Don't feel bad for me by the way, the St.Patrick's Day celebrations lasted all weekend, so while I stayed in on Friday night, I was out with friends both Saturday and Sunday, and got to see some fantastic local live music. Saturday I was at the Ballyliffin Lodge, where Gary McPeake was playing, and Sunday I was in my favourite pub, McFeeley's, where Tullagh Folk was there to entertain us. Before the live music started on Sunday, people were passing around a microphone and singing songs. Everyone joined in, and it was an absolute pleasure to witness something so quintessentially Irish. The sense of community and history, the camaraderie, and the pure talent was all so beautiful to see. It was one of those moments where I felt choked up with emotion, and I just feel so lucky to live here!

Pint of Guinness at the Ballyliffin Lodge.

Pint of Guinness at McFeeley's Bar.

March 2023, Week Nineteen

 Hello my lovelies, how are you all doing today? What have you been up to? I know my American friends "Sprang Forward" this past weekend, but here the time doesn't change until the 26th March. That makes things a little confusing for my International appointments, but at least my evening classes start at Midnight and not 01:00 for a couple of weeks, haha.

On the road to Ballyliffin, looking back towards Clonmany.

Blue skies over Crockaughrim.

It's been a long time since I was at Nancy's Barn. They've updated their menu!

I have been continuing my online courses and classes since I last wrote, and am getting closer to launching my new business, so that has been exciting. I'm enjoying myself so much. I have never been able to devote all my time to my creativity before now, and it is invigorating. In the past, I always had a "real job" to do, often working well over 60 hours, and sometimes up to 90 hours a week. It was stressful, and as you might imagine, absolutely exhausting. On top of my many health issues, this meant that I had zero time or energy for anything other than my work, and as a consequence, I was unable to unleash any of my creativity. As someone with a creative streak a mile wide, this was absolutely soul destroying! I promised myself that when I moved from America, I would never again work the kind of job or hours that stole so much from me, and I would focus on my creativity. I consider myself very lucky that I have been able to throw myself into this new creative project, and immerse myself completely in learning new skills. I'm hoping that these new skills, combined with my latent creative talents, will be the start of something fun, and wonderful. And I realise that I'm being very vague about this new project, but all will be revealed soon!

The road to Pollan Bay.

Blue skies over Glashedy Island and Pollan Bay.

These clouds were giving me Georgia O'Keeffe vibes!

Last week I went on a few walks, and on one especially fine day I walked all the way to Pollan Beach and over the cliffs a ways. The weather was cold and clear, and I think I took enough photos to make up for the less scenic ones last week!

Pollan Bay looking towards Malin Head.

Selfie on top of a big rock. ;-)

Rock Pools with Glashedy Island and Malin Head in the background.

I had not been to Ballyliffin or Pollan Beach so far this year. It's quite a walk, and I wasn't able to manage it for a while after my surgery, and then I was very busy at home with these courses. So, I made sure to take advantage of the good weather that day, and had a fabulous time revisiting some of my favourite spots. That includes Nancy's Barn, where I had a delicious lunch, and the Ballyliffin Hotel, where I stopped for a Guinness to fortify me for the walk home, haha!

Looking back over Pollan Bay and Crockaughrim.

View from the cliffs, looking towards the "Pebbly Beaches"

View of Glashedy Island.

I have told you before how lucky I was to be able to spend every Summer at Pollan Beach when I was growing up. I consider it "THE Beach", and tend to call it "MY Beach", as I have so many happy memories of my time there, and feel very proprietorial towards it. So, you can imagine how happy I was to go exploring there again after a few months away.

Glashedy Island and Malin Head framed in the rocks.

Inadvertent selfie looking across Pollan Bay.

Excellent pint of Guinness at the Ballyliffin Hotel.

I clambered over the rock pools a while, which was always a favourite pastime, and then headed South West to climb up and over the cliffs. The views are absolutely spectacular, and I let out many a happy sigh at the knowledge that I live here, and am surrounded by so much beauty.

Walking back home in the dusk, sunset over the hills.

Crockaughrim in the dusk.

The first stars, over the hills.

Selfie with snow on Bulaba/Bulbin.

Clonmany River on another fine day.

February to March 2023, Weeks Sixteen, Seventeen and Eighteen

Hello my lovelies, how are you all doing? It's been a while since I've posted, so I'm catching up with three weeks in one. I have been busy, and haven't been out and about walking as much, so I don't have my usual scenic pictures to share. Instead, I thought I'd share a few random pics and selfies from the last few weeks, so you can see what my life looks like outside of Inishowen!

All dressed up for Date Night!

I was back in England for a week at the end of February, so Gareth and I got all dressed up and celebrated Valentine's Day in person by going to my favourite restaurant for Tapas and drinks. We then ended up in a local pub, very overdressed, and playing Cards Against Humanity until the wee hours. I've never laughed so much as I do with this man! He keeps me smiling all the time, and I love all the adventures we have together.

Derry Airport, Obligatory Pre-Flight Drink Selfie.

I love that I am able to travel to England to see my family and friends so regularly now. My schedule is always busy, but if I miss out on seeing someone, I know it won't be long until I'm back next. When I lived in America it was often a year or more between visits, and the last few years I couldn't travel at all, so this is a very nice change.
My Mum has a beautiful garden, and all the Spring flowers were in bloom to greet me. She always sends me photos of them, but it's so much nicer to see them in person, and we sat in her Summer House with a glass of wine and had a good catch up.

Mum's Garden.

Mum's Garden.

I got to go out and catch up with several friends in my time at home, and try new places to eat and drink. I love discovering new places and supporting local businesses, and I remind myself that I'm doing that when I order a drink, haha! I also went Wedding Dress shopping with my oldest, bestest friend, which was a first for me, and very exciting. She's getting married next year and I am going to be one of her Bridesmaids, which is such an honour! Of course, I can't share any of those pics yet, but I'm not ashamed to say I got quite emotional seeing her in THE dress!

This is what happens when you can't order Bloody Marys from the QR Code at the table and have to walk 15 feet to the bar. You get two drinks, to save time!

The River Severn, Shrewsbury, looking down towards the Weir.

I have been keeping up with my classes and training for my new creative project. It's almost ready to be unveiled, so watch this space for more about that soon. However, because the classes are based in America, the time difference has been pretty brutal for me! I'm a night owl and usually up pretty late into the night, but there is a difference between reading, or binge watching Netflix, and having to pay attention and absorb new information at 01:00! It was especially difficult while I was in England, and I was having classes from 01:00-03:00, and getting up at 06:00 to start the day and fit all my social engagements in, haha! I know it will be worth it though, and I'm excited to share it with you all soon.

Same Hoodie, Same Wine, Same Obligatory Pre-Flight Drink Selfie, Different Airport.

I love the Window Seat!

The only pic I took of Clonmany recently!

This past weekend I was out with some friends in Derry for a birthday celebration, which was a lot of fun. I have stayed in Derry many times, but it was when I was much younger, and I hadn't experienced a night out there until now. It was a great craic and I'm sure it won't be the last time! I feel so grateful that I have so many new friends here, as well as back home, and as well as all my friends across America. I used to get terribly homesick for England and Ireland when I was in America, and I am so happy to be back on this side of the Pond, living my best life and chasing my dreams!

All dressed up for Derry.