Another year another trip to Ballyvaughan. Every year we find something different. This year it was The Burren Perfumery where the fragrances are subtle and the welcome warm.
Walks on beaches of course but this time a slightly different beach with inspiring flora.
While my husband had his concertina lessons my friend and I walked and explored.
Walking down a lane we heard a piggy noise and came upon this not-pig eating hay very noisily!
At the end of the lane a tall tower with a mysterious interior glimpsed through a gap.
The view through the slit windows was of the sea..what else?
Look how the castle seems to grow out of the landscape.
Then we found another little beach on a spit of land we had often seen from the harbour and didn't know we could walk on it. I found out its called Rine...not sure of the spelling.
We took off our shoes and socks and had a paddle.
Later in the week we drove to the town of Ennis and saw a textile exhibition at The Glor Centre. Here's a favourite little piece , you can't see the lovely pale duck egg blue fabric background.
The exhibition was small but lovely. There was a piece I couldn't photograph by my friend Breda McNeilis. We met later in the week in Galway and caught up in a super cafe called Ard Bia at Nimmos. Lots of lovely chatting and eating.
And all week I was working on this.
We enjoyed catching up with our friends and sharing their company in the bar in the evenings.
Sadly we came home with flu. Yes I am certain it was flu and not just a cold. We were wiped out and are still not better 10 days later.
Oh my. I am yearning for the little cottage we stay in each summer on the shore of Loch Fyne and your gorgeous photos are making it worse! It is all very familiar- castles growing from the stones, colourful seaweed and sea sea sea. I am sorry the flu caught you. Hope that it leaves you alone very soon. Ax
ReplyDeleteI love the look of that perfumery. Wish you could smell over the internet.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about the flu. Another blogger I follow actually has swine flu! Hoping yours is more innocent!!
I have been in the at area once but didn't see all that. Loved it. Hope you return to health very soon.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely little trip you had! How wonderful to live in a place with castles pig-sheep and lovely beaches to walk and a pub at night. :) Did you get some perfume??
ReplyDeleteWe have a few trips planned... Botanical Gardens in San Francisco and a few antique faires coming up. The days are getting warmer and sun is shining........ we could still use more rain but the sun feels nice! Hugs! deb
What wonderful photos of your trip. I love the old stone buildings - a beautiful and unspoilt part of the world. Love your stitched piece but am sorry you have flu - get well soon.
ReplyDeleteHopefully you are nearly well again now - we are off to get our flu needles next week so hope to avoid the disease this year. Lovely photos of Ireland, maybe a few more when you are feeling better? Cheers
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely pictures, It's an area I've never been to but looks beautiful. Hope you feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteGillx
What a lovely trip - do hope you are feeling better. x Jo
ReplyDeleteGet well soon! So glad at least you had a good time before you caught the flu!
ReplyDeleteI love your blog and your photos are beautiful. Do you know the name of the artist who stitched the little bird? It's absolutely beautiful and I'd love to see more of her/his work.
ReplyDeleteHope you both feel better soon..
ReplyDeleteYour embroidery is gorgeous! Love the beach photos, that castle is pretty amazing right there on the beach front like that xx
Hope you both feel better soon..
ReplyDeleteYour embroidery is gorgeous! Love the beach photos, that castle is pretty amazing right there on the beach front like that xx
What a fabulous little trip! Great pics, I especially love the one of the "interesting flora". Do hope you all feel better soon. Warm hugs!
ReplyDeleteThanks for charing the trip with us.
ReplyDeleteI laughed about the sheep picture. Have you ever heard about Mangalitza-pigs?
Get well soon.
You were very brave to paddle, it must have been chilly. The embroidered bird is beautiful as is your own travel piece. I hope you're beginning to get through the flu. My DH and I are struggling with a flu-like cold too, much more severe than a normal cold. It's not fun. Feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteThose beach shots made me want to take my shoes off and feel the sand beneath my feet. Beautiful scenery.
ReplyDeleteoh such pretty travel photos! I esp like the interior ones with the narrow slits letting light in. The sea algae would make a wonderful subject for your floral felting, wouldn't they?
ReplyDeleteI love those rows of brown bottles - reminds me of visiting our local doctor when I was a little girl and seeing rows upon rows of mysterious bottles filled with pills and liquids. He would reach up and take down a bottle and fill your prescription right there. Hope your flu is waning and that a visit to the doctor won't be necessary.
ReplyDeleteReally lovely pictures, Jackie; and as ever your work is so beautiful (and inspiring). (That sheep-pig ... a peep or a shig?)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a delightful trip Jackie....I would love to visit the perfumery! And of course, to see the sea; always a joy.
ReplyDeleteHope you get better very soon....not a good way to end your holiday! XX