Later

Well, it was a long drive over to our holiday home, thank goodness it was broken by a nice ferry ride.

We also stopped at a tea room, where the dummy fairy left Mae a note and a pair of fairie earrings, telling her that she no longer needs her dummies. I am surprised how well she is doing, only a couple of not very bad nights.

Our farmhouse was great- near to the beach, cows in the field, nice and clean.

The water in Ireland smells and tastes like peat. I really like it, earthy and warm.

The beaches were fabulous, even the one with a cow on it. It was a bit scary and some silly people went very close to it and sat down, at which point it stood up and scared them away. Never mess with cows, that's my motto.

We went to a fishing town, Killybegs, and Mae thought it was great; in fact, driving into the town and seeing all the boats in the harbour, she said (very slowly, for effect) 'frigging hell' (that's not too bad in Canada, but in Britiain that word is extemely rude.

The Giant's Causeway was fantastic, but a long day marred by an incident in a local playground, where no one would play with Mae and she got quite upset. Put me off Northern Ireland altogether (that and the fact I was raised Catholic).

Also, we went horseback riding! What fun, Mae got Monster and she really enjoyed it. We might have to do that again.

I would go back, it was lovely, we got lucky with the weather and after maybe Canada and Spain, we will!

We went to a Leisure Centre for a swim, and I had said to Geoff that in Ireland you have to wear swimming caps at the pools (a friend told me)- so we got there and the woman said they were 4 euros each(!) although they have diposable ones we could use. I said that would be okay, but they were shoe covers! So I took them, and Geoff and I had these things on our heads as well- obviously Mae could carry it off but I had to go get us proper ones, it was so funny! Thank god we were the only ones in the pool!!

I have more pics but am having issues with them- they will follow!!