Day 11
Dad was back. We decided that today we would go to Ashford Castle and Cong. Grandad was very glad the driving was now left to Dad and he could just direct on where to go, basically give out orders.
We headed off, all in the van again. Despacito was playing again and Dad didn’t seem to mind. First, Ballintubber Abbey where Mum & Dad got married 15 years ago. It had been done up a little, I think mum wished it had been like that for their day. It is the oldest church founded by an Irish King that has been continuously in use through the centuries. Loads of history and all that. Grandad told a story that his forefathers told St Patrick the way to the Reek, not sure about that but he told the story anyway.
Off to Cong. Cong is where the film ‘The Quiet Man’ was made and is a favourite in the Beisty house, Mum knows it word for word and its always played on Christmas day. It was 5 O’clock somewhere so we headed for Danagher’s, Dad’s favourite for the seafood chowder. 4 chowders, Irish stew and 2 fish & chips were ordered along with a bottle of Pinot and a Magners. Granny had the Irish stew, when it came out it could have fed the whole table but she wasn’t for sharing although had to give up near the end and hand it over to Grandad to finish. Dad finished both mine and mums as it was sooo filling. Still his favourite so far!!
Last year when we were in Cong we went over to Ashford Castle (voted best hotel in the world), the scenery is out of this world and they have this lovely little café with a shop. It has the best apple pie ever so off we went to see if they still had it.
There was the apple pie and a smile on Dad’s face. Mum asked if we could sit outside, the girl looked very confused but said yes, give her a minute to organise it. We headed outside and it was ‘lashing’ down. You couldn’t see the castle for rain. We were stuck there. Grandad didn’t come with us and he was stuck in a pub eating apple pie too!! After a while and the place filling up with very wet French and American’s we decided to go for it, Tom bought himself an umbrella, probably the dearest and smallest you’ve ever seen.
We headed for Lough Mask. If only the weather had been good, the scenery looked incredible but you couldn’t enjoy it. Grandad would tell Brian to pull over and we’d jump out to take another picture, we were drenched.
When Dad drives and if he’s given a destination he will try his upmost to get there in the quickest time and I mean the quickest time!! Mum & Granny were starting to feel travel sick and even Grandad was getting a bit nervous with the speed. We were going through this one town and grandad said this is a lovely spot to stop and have a light refreshment and it was gone, we just went straight through it, Dad said he didn’t hear but I know he did, he calls it selective hearing!!
The day was long but we really did have a great day. Tomorrow we were heading for Westport House and the hope of good weather!
Are you Shore?? 