We woke up around 8 at the bed and breakfast and had an amazing breakfast with the other guests in the hosts' beautiful dining room. Matthew ordered the full Irish breakfast and I had the Local Cheese plate (may have begun my new found love of cheese), crackers, and chutney. Then on the breakfast bar was homemade yogurt, granola, apple muffins, fresh pear, rhubarb and apple in sauce. Darra and her husband Niale had outdone themselves:)
Thank goodness Matthew had thought to stop at "The Burren" and walk around on our way to our next stop. What a different environment! The entire land was covered in rocks with different vegetation growing up in between. Flowers were growing through every crevice they could find to get to the sun.
We decided to stop at one last monastery called Kilmacduagh Monastery. Very interesting story about a tower with NO door, only windows. Built to keep out the enemy:)
It was a very long drive on the M6 back to the Dublin area. It was cloudy and very rainy. We arrived in Sutton, which is a northeast suburb of Dublin around 2 and had some cups of Americano (coffee) at the bar white we waited for our room at the Marine Hotel. It began to sink in that this would be our last night in Ireland. Matthew had an amazing walk and hike planned that I began without even knowing what I was getting into:) First we walked 3K from the town of Sutton to a town called Howth that is surrounded by the water. Then the best part, and probably my favorite part of the whole trip, although its hard to pick one, a cliff walk. The cliff walk we followed began at the Howth train station and walked to the pier at the end of town. Here's Matthew looking out at the Dublin Bay to the Irish Sea. Then we followed the Blue Route signs along the cliffs and looped back to the train station in Howth. The walk took about 2 1/2 hours and it was absolutely breathtaking.
Matthew, doesn't like heights, did not appreciate my need to be adventurous:) I wanted to get close, to feel the Irish plants, rocks, and be as close as I could to the beautiful water.
On the 3k walk back to Sutton we began to see differences about the houses compared to ours at home. Most of the houses were connected to another house, they had very little hards and very big windows. Gates around the 2 houses and signs with the owner's last name hanging on the gates. We had one last good meal in Ireland at the hotel restaurant. Matthew had an amazing steak, mushroom, and onion sandwich with brown sauce and french fries. I had my usual (and I'm not a fish person!) fried cod, salad and chips.
When we got back to the room (notice its now after 8pm and how light outside it is) we began to pack up the carry on bags and relax our very tired legs and feet. We managed through lots of calls to be able to get to talk to the kids and assure them we'd be home in the early evening the next day. It was when I was talking to Lanie on the phone that I realized all the little things that I had had some respite from on this anniversary trip. I hadn't planned a day minute by minute in 8 days. I hadn't explained my plans to anyone in 8 days. I hadn't cooked a meal in 8 days. I hadn't cleaned a room in 8 days. I hadn't checked my email in 8 days. I hadn't gotten anyone dressed, brushed their teeth and hair, or rushed them to appointments in 8 days. I missed these things don't get me wrong, and I missed my kids like crazy. But I think as adults and especially parents, we forget all of the expectations and added stress that are put on us when we grow up and decide to have children.
This would be our last Ireland picture. Its taken from the beach right outside our hotel and it is of Dublin at night across the water. It was one Matthew knew he'd regret if he didn't get outside and take it. I'm so glad he did. Besides the small trouble we had finding where to drop the rental car off the next morning the flight back was fine. We had an amazing scone and coffee at the Chocolate Lounge in the airport and took off around 12:50 on Aer Lingus headed for Chicago. We were both very ready to see the kids and be home but still struggled with getting back to "real life".
I still yearn to get back out there on the trails and roads of unknown places. I want to see more. I want to feel more. Matthew and I made a promise that this would NOT be our last trip to another country. Hawaii might be our next destination though, with the kids:)
"Life's grand:)"
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