Stranded!

Thursday June 7th
Inisheer, Ireland
Blustery rain and cold

Yup, we're stranded on the Aran Islands! A storm came in today and the ferries were halted. Seas are too rough. Gale force winds forced us to pull down the tent. The tarp ripped. We huddled in the laundry room washing our clothes when Pat, the keeper of the campground stopped by. He offered to take us in from the storm. Trail magic strikes again! Turns out his wife is from Wisconsin. Her daughter also lives here and is married to an island man. The daughter met her future husband while traveling with her grandparents when she was in college. They were only in Inisheer for the day but an exchange of addresses took place. Several years later, the daughter brings Mom to Ireland and the come out to Inisheer. The daughter had been in contact with the young man over the years, but mon didn't know it. They stay here about a week and mom meets Pat who was living at the young man's place. The daughter goes home, packs her things, and moves to the island. She and her husband own a cafe here Mom eventually moves here too. Got that?

So when the laundry's done we decide to brave the storm and go your the island on foot. Reminded me of cold, rainy days on the AT: feels good as long as you're moving. Was really a delightful walk through the fields of walls and small pastures. The cows were even huddling against the walls to block the wind. We eventually ended up back in the village: no main street, just a scattering of houses. The first place with an open sign was for us. I needed hot chocolate and soup and to get warmed up. I was soaked through! And don't ya know, it turned out to be the cafe the daughter and husband owned!

"Victims of inertia: bodies at rest tend to stay at rest". That was us today after our hike out amongst all the stone walls in the cold wind and rain. We found a delightful cafe and had lunch, then spent the afternoon. It was here or in the laundry room at the campground...so we chose here.

Pat picked us up there later and brought us to his place and to a delicious spaghetti dinner, warm fire, hot tea, and enriching conversation. Talk about serendipity!! Couldn't have made a better visit to the Aran Islands, that's for sure!



www.teachantae.com to see where we had lunch.

So now eyawa... Goodnight. Don't ask about the spelling, that's phonetic.

BagLady



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