28/04/08

Despite going to bed wihout closing the skylight cutain, we still
awoke nearer 0800 than the 0630 we had hoped. We'd wanted to get up
for an early morning walk but by 0900 the rain had settled in again.
Onward then, to Kylemore Abbey, this was a stately home until the
1920s when it was brought by some Benedictine nuns who were WWI
refugees from Flanders. Kylemore Abbey is quite manificient in its
lakeside setting, though we didn't pay the €12 entry fee to see inside
or the restored walled victorian garden, but enjoyed the peaceful and
serene vista with coffee cake, warm and dry, inside the cofee house.
Onwards then to Westport. Westport is by far the prettist town we have
seen yet and it has a whole slew of awards to support this view. Not
a vacant shop in sight, this place is obviously thriving and is
surprisingly big for such a 'cute' town. The sun came out, so we went
on the 'Old Railway Walk' around Westport and its environs. 2hrs
later, just as we were ready for lunch, it started raining, so we got
on the road again.

Boyle was our next stop, Marea even got to drive some, because most of
the route was brand new road. Daniel is usually much too nervous a
passenger with Marea driving Pat around narrow country roads so she is
most often the navigator (usually sleeping if Tomtom is in use). The
way Marea negotiated a tight corner, bumping over the kerb, causing
the cutlery drawer and pots cupboard to fly open spilling might
permanently assign her to the passenger seat though.