May 2023, Week Twenty Eight.

 Hello again my lovelies, I hope you're all having a great week so far? Thank you to those who stuck with me through my photo dumps yesterday. I am still six months behind, but hoping to catch up this month. Week Twenty Eight was a busy one, as my posts yesterday will tell you, and after my epic road trip with friends, I had moving house to look forward to!
I said goodbye to my friends on Wednesday morning, leaving them to continue their road trip south, and caught the bus from Galway up to Derry City. I was very tired after a hectic few days, but it was a very scenic bus ride back, and I sat by the window and enjoyed the views. Once in Derry, I met up briefly with my Mum, who was over for a few days, and two of my aunts, before catching a bus to Buncrana. I had some time at Buncrana before my connecting bus, so waited in a pub across the street from the bus stop, before heading back to Clonmany.

Inquisitive horses by the bus stop, somewhere in Knock.

Pint of Guinness at the Cruiskeen Lawn Bar, Buncrana.

I had had a fabulous time with my friends, but it is always nice to get home. I had more packing to do, and wanted to enjoy my last days in that beautiful place before I moved out. So, in between packing and cleaning, I went on a few walks nearby, and also spent some time on the patio listening to the stream and waterfall, and enjoying the views. I knew I was going to miss that place. I was so lucky to find the perfect spot to stay in while I got settled in Ireland.

The Annex with the doors/windows wide open to the air.

The stream and waterfalls behind the house.

Clonmany River and Raghtin Mor, the bottom of the garden!

One of my friends from the area had kindly offered to help me move, and on the Saturday we took most of my things over to the new house in Ballyliffin. That night I went out for drinks in Clonmany with her and another friend. I had lots to celebrate! Then on the Sunday I finished cleaning the Annex, said goodbye to those beautiful views, and my friend picked me up to take me to the new house so I could officially move in.
My furniture and all my other things had been in storage in England since it arrived from America last year, and the Annex was usually a holiday rental, so it had everything I needed. This meant I didn't have much with me. The new house came partially furnished, but there were no kitchen utensils or anything like that. I knew I'd have a couple of weeks where I didn't have much stuff, but there was no point buying duplicates in the meantime. I was just happy to be there, and was looking forward to "camping" until my things arrived.

View of Pollan Bay from the dining room of my new house!

Sunset behind Binnion. This is the view from the back of my new house!

Crockaughrim in the evening light.

Wildflowers and Crockaughrim.

Pollan Bay. "My" Beach.

The Annex in Clonmany was the perfect place for me to live during my first Winter in Ireland. It was close to the shops (and the pubs!) and had everything I needed. I didn't expect that I would change my mind after moving there, but it helped to have an interim place to live to make sure. My dream had always been to live in Ballyliffin. That is where my family comes from, and I spent every summer there growing up. Most of my happiest memories are from my times there, and it was absolutely a dream come true to finally make it happen!
I had put this off for so long, putting my dreams on hold to help other people chase theirs. In the end, I realised I had wasted almost half my life helping other people, who definitely didn't have my best interests at heart. When I left America, I promised myself I would never do that again. This stage in my life is all about ME. Moving to Ireland was just the beginning. Moving to Ballyliffin meant achieving a life long goal. And I know that living here, surrounded by so much beauty and inspiration, will help me to achieve my other dreams. Watch this space for more exciting adventures to come!