Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Day 7 ~ A Walk to Remember

Darryl had to put in a day at work today. Keith and I decided that we would round up the troops and walk to town. Ceara wasn't very enthusiastic. She wanted to catch the bus instead but we told her she would be rewarded for her trouble. By now we had driven to town several times and knew our way. It never seemed very far by car...but we were to realize that on foot things are much different! Sinead and Darryl live on the edge of town up on a hill. It's not super steep but very very long. As we were walking continually downhill I was thinking that coming home was going to be very painful!


The fire brigade is on the main road to town. I had to get a picture of Keith here for sure. I wanted him to go in and say 'hi' but he was shy :)



Here we are almost at the centre of town. I was beginning to realize why Ceara wasn't so keen! We stopped at the 'mall' first. It's not much of a mall but I wanted to see the place where Sinead first worked when she moved to Ireland. She worked at the Benetton store. The mall is very small but it was humming with people. Many shops there are closing because of the economy which was sad to see. I got some postcards to send home and an outfit for Liam at 'Penny's'. This store is great...a department store with excellent prices. Sinead has often sent me baby clothes from their 'Early Days' line and they are such nice quality.
By now the kids were 'starving'. Even though it pained us to think of eating at McDonald's with so many other choices we knew it would be a hit with the kids. Ceara got her reward as she told us she almost never gets to go there.


Here they are with their meals. Tastes the same at anywhere else but it was quite expensive. After than Keith 'needed' a coffee. We walked up to main street to the 'Bagel Bar' to get him an Americano. Here's Nate waiting with Liam.


And Chad and Ceara also waiting patiently.



A view down main street. I wanted to take more pictures but I didn't want to look like a tourist!




Here's Chad waiting this time for Keith to come out of the post office. We needed some stamps to send off the postcards. After that we found a bakery with some delicious looking treats in the front case. It was mid afternoon at this point so I think they were trying to sell off some baking as it was three items for three Euros. Perfect! We selected some yummy pastries and sat down in the town square to eat them. We had inquired as to what was in some pastries before we bought them but the girls behind the counter spoke so fast that we had NO idea what she said. It was a random choice but they were great!


Now it was time to start the long trek back home. It was a long slow burn. Here's Chad stopping for a breather...thumbs up he's gonna make it! Those pastries were definitely burned off in the process. We're so thankful the weather was cool.



We walked up through the estates instead of the main road. A little less exhaust to breath in. Keith ran up most of the way with the stroller. I guess that Americano coffee was REALLY powerful.



Liam has no idea how good he has it in there!



Very close to their house is a bookmaker. There are betting agents all over the place.



After we got home I made Thai stir fry and zuchinni chocolate chip muffins. Darryl got home from work just before 9 pm. He's got a long commute from Belfast. Sinead and him popped out for a walk with Emma while we opted out. We were shattered!
After they came home we watched a DVD of an Irish comedian Des Bishop. He was very 'bold' as they would say but most funny. And that completed our 7th day in County Donegal!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I feel tired just thinking about that long walk. I really wish you would have taken a picture of the pastries.

Jenn said...

Good job with all the walking. I feel like I'm there with you, just a bit. :)

QuiltNut Creations said...

i'm loving how you are posting each day. it's almost like we are there too

Rachel said...

Y'know when you are the only one taking pictures sometimes you just need to put the camera away and enjoy the moment!

Rhonda ~ this was the best alternative to taking you all with me :)

Fiona said...

Why didn't you want to look like a tourist? That's what you were! :) My friends are always telling me to put down the camera and enjoy the moment, so I know what you're saying.

I love the street pictures. So truly European.