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| Ashdown Park hotel staircase |
I've had a lovely day in Gorey, connecting with my friend Bernadette and her brother Paddy.
The day started with another cooked breakfast, here at the Ashdown Park hotel. I will be getting like the side of a house at the rate I am eating Irish food.... sausage, bacon and black pudding was on the menu this morning, as well as my usual Weet-a-bix and toast and Vegemite.
Then Paddy and Bern came and picked me up and took me across to Courtown, which is about 10 minutes away and is on the Irish sea.
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| Map - Gorey to Courtown |
It's a lovely seaside village, but I have to admit the ocean isn't quite as impressive as the Wild Atlantic in Lahinch!!! Maybe I'm a bit biased!
Paddy said lots of Dubliners some down to Courtown for the weekend, as it's only an hour away, but then they come over to Gorey for the restaurants, which are plentiful over here.
Here's a few pics of Courtown...
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| Courtown Beach |
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| Courtown Beach |
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| Where the fishing boats come into the harbour |
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| Yachts |
Here's some that Paddy took...
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| Titanic Replica!! |
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Windy
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| Time for a chat! |
So, after all that fresh air and sea air, it was time for a coffee.
Once again Paddy was the chauffeur and took us to a lovely garden centre outside town.
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| Paddy and Bern outside the garden centre. |
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| Moira and Bern outside garden centre. |
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| Dodgy parking is not confined to Australia! |
It was a lovely place to have a coffee and reminded me of Waldecks at home in Perth - especially the one on Scarborough Beach Road.
Then we returned back to Paddy's place and he decided to stay home and Bern and I went for a walk and a shop along the main street of Gorey.
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| Main St of Gorey |
Gorey is quite a big town, but it is situated mainly around the main street, as so many Irish towns are... It is really busy and the main street is always choc-a-block full of traffic. The traffic operates a little differently in Ireland. Mostly people are well mannered, and will give way to you or let you in. And they give a little wave.
And pedestrians just cross the road when they are ready! You have to be aware of them at all times!
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| There are always flowers in any town. |
It is a very pretty town. Most Irish towns have flowers growing in boxes, or on window sills, and they are all brightly coloured.
So we picked up a few souvenirs and some food and I even had a beer in Katie Daley's pub - where we are hopefully going for dinner this evening. It won't be a late night though, as I have important things to do tomorrow morning. Not only do I have to check out of the hotel, but I have to go around to Paddy's and set up my laptop to connect with his TV so I can watch the footy!!! Then, in theory, I am driving home to Lahinch after that.
It's been a lovely day just cruising around Gorey and getting the feel of another little Irish village. Each town has its own unique character and feeling. Some of you have shared your experiences of different place across Ireland in emails I have received. Each one is coloured by the people and memories they represent. Ireland has such a rich and varied culture - how lucky I am to be exposed to it on many different levels.
