It is Saturday evening of my fifth day in Ireland. To give the bad news first, my checked bag with all of my stuff still has not arrived. I have called the airline everyday only to be put on hold for a minimum of 10 minutes every time. Today it was a whopping 22 minute call and I believe I actually talked to someone for maybe a minute and a half. So I have resorted to sending them a rather frustrated and probably slightly nasty e-mail (oops). To add a sense or urgency I told them that I have medications in my bag that I need (floridex and vitamin D tablets, but they don't need to know that). I am managing to keep a cheerful face though. Heidi has been a dear in lending me some clothes to wear. Also I did find out that they will refund me up to 60 euro a day for three days. I took advantage of that Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Of course with it being me, along with some essentials like contact solution, I had to buy an adorable pair of black lace heels (they were on sale). Luckily the receipt that I am to send in only says that I purchased shoes and who's to say that they weren't necessary? I could have had a dinner party I had to attend :)
Everyone here is so very nice! Mike and Julia are wonderful; they feed me great food and are a pleasure to chat with. Heidi is very sweet. John arrived back last night; he had been staying with Julia's daughter Emma who has an alpaca farm nearby. He is from France and has been here for a month. He leaves next Saturday. On Thursday I did some ironing and arranging as well as a bit of weeding outdoors. Yesterday I made some quiches and a Mississippi Cake. Today John and I did some more weeding and I gave the hedge a haircut. Mike joked that the hedge looked like his haircut, which is rather long and ragged. Julia said it was a great improvement so no matter what I am happy. I then came in for a bit and made some cardamom ice cream. This afternoon John and I walked down to the water which was is quite a state today! The waves were absolutely huge!! The wind was also very strong and I was afraid I would be blown away. Being young and brave (!) John and I decided to go over the stone wall and walk along the wet rocks at the coast. a couple times I had to cling to the grasses on the sides of the cliffs so as not to fall! There are some lovely pictures I took today that I put up of the wild water. I felt like a true adventurer. I was a little hesitant at first about getting so close to the water as I didn't want to get the few clothes I have soaked, but as we were standing by the wall a huge wave came up and soaked up both. I gasped and licked the water from my lips. Mmm, salty. I decided that this is what I am here for: adventure. With a smile I threw caution to the wind and hopped over the wall. There was only one really frightening moment when John decided that we should jump a gap to continue on. The drop was only about 8 feet or so but I fear I chickened out. I found a spot that I could jump down and then John helped me up the over side. It was a little further away from the very angry sea and felt marginally safer. We ended up standing on a 20 foot plateau that would get swept with water every few minutes causing me to jump back in surprise. It was beautiful!
I am loving it over here, though it is a bit cold and my wool undergarments (in my missing bag) would be very much appreciated. But oh well, I am in the land of the wet, green, and friendly. I have been going to bed rather early as I still haven't quite gotten used to the time difference (I wake up at 3am our time). Today I feel much more awake; I think that the cold ocean water has shocked me into feeling chipper. I am ready for many more daring excursions. Love to all at home, Hannah
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