Cead Mile Failte!
Decided to explore the offerings surrounding the Fota train station, and I was not disappointed on Friday. After a bit of a walk, I was rewarded with the Fota House and Gardens. This property boasts 27 hectares/11 acres of absolutely stunning trees and plants from around the world. I spent more than two hours in one area, and only after a wrong turn did I truly find the jewels of this place. Magnolia trees as a backdrop with high stone walls and low shrubs acted as fencing for the eight feet deep rows of varied colorful flowers. They have a Victorian fernery, a 'to die for' Italian garden complete with lily pond, statues and gazebo. They have a special 'pleasure garden' filled with wonderfully scented flowers, and the largest rose garden I have ever seen. (Larger than a soccer field)
It had the welcoming feel of a public park treasured by many, like the dozens of toddlers and their moms having a lovely time picnicking and chatting. Watching, I saw that children are the same most everywhere. There was the one who wanted to play 'mom, dad, baby and honey'. Another tossing pebbles in the air, looking up to see how high they went when, of course, one fell back and bounced off her tiny nose. And my favorite, the one shaking the rose stem to get the prettiest petals to fall off. Her mom had to re-explain that she could only collect those that fell off by themselves and were already on the ground. Naturally, those weren't as pretty - and then came the tears when the realization hit that she was hurting the pretty flowers.
It is not surprising at the number of bridal parties that want their wedding photos taken in the gardens. It can be requested at no charge, but some rules do apply. :-)
Saturday, with so many arriving tourists about, was tough to find a bus for a day trip so I simply hung around town people watching, reading, and writing a bit. Even spoke to many of my extended family who were celebrating a reunion, with me in their thoughts and mine on them.
Sunday morning, while the night owls slept, I caught an early bus to Kinsale. A small village at the tip of a peninsula. It seems a combination of one part working waterfront, one part upscale tourist hub for those with yachts, and one part quaint homey feel village.
In a popular locals restaurant, Vista, I had a delicious breakfast of soft scrambled eggs on toasted brioche bread with smoked salmon and chives nude. I believe it was the toast that was nude. Well worth the wait!
Just prior, I discovered a unique artists gallery displaying and selling hand-fused glass pieces and jewelry. It is a sort of co-op for seven local Irish artisans. As a token of this trip, I purchased an absolutely stunning carafe with gold-fused design of leaves and a dragonfly on the topper. I am quite hopeful I can get it home as lovely as it is now, as I know exactly where it will be displayed. Upside of a small home is that it forces one to always consider this detail prior to a purchase. :-)
As this trips winds down...Slainte!
PS - Looking forward to the big soccer game this evening between Cork City and St. Patricks'
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment