Ireland by the numbers

  • months spent planning this trip: 3
  • books read in preparation: 18
  • films watched in preparation: 10
  • TV series watched in preparation: 5
  • days on the island: 83
  • cars rented: 3
  • jaunting cars rented: 1
  • miles driven: 3452
  • accidents or fender-benders: 0
  • countries visited: 2
  • counties visited:
    • Ireland: 22 of 26
    • Northern Ireland: 3 of 6
  • national parks visited: 5 of 6
  • fjords visited: 3 of 3
  • stone forts visited: 5
  • coastal rings driven: 3
  • days over 70°F: 1
  • hikes: 25
  • wild goats seen on hikes: 29
  • snakes seen on hikes: 0 (thank you, St. Patrick!)
  • bike rides: 1
  • yoga practices: 7
  • Airbnbs rented: 14
  • blogs written: 62
  • photos saved: 2762 
  • favorite pubs: 11 (of approximately 80)
  • delicious Irish craft IPAs: 12
  • Irish whiskeys sampled: 11
  • ginger snaps consumed: 166 (approximate)

Holing up

Fifty degrees outside, non-stop rain, wind gusts up to 25 mph. We’re in Falcarrick (Falcarragh, in Irish, meaning The Crossroads, and that’s about all it is) in northern County Donegal for three full days. Our solitary goal: to spend one day at Glenveagh National Park. The other two days are weather buffer. Turns out, we may need them.

Day One of sitting out the weather: Marcus made a nice coal fire in the fireplace to keep us toasty all day. Removing slippers and socks for yoga practice is now possible. Yoga in front of the fire. Sounds cozy, doesn’t it? By the end of our practice, I am sweating profusely. Does this qualify as hot yoga?

A day off every now and again is a good thing. Even though we just took one three days ago, also because of the weather? In the deluge in the southern part of County Donegal. Waiting for an opening in the weather window so we could hike Slieve League. We eventually prevailed, but it was our last day in the area. That’s cutting it a little close. If the weather hadn’t cleared, would we have hiked it in the rain? I don’t think so.

And now we wait in northern County Donegal. I pay the bills. Do laundry. Start this blog. Send some emails. Read a little.

Marcus goes out for pizza. He drives ten kilometers to the only pizza restaurant in northwest Donegal. It’s only open Friday through Sunday. Today is Thursday. On the way back he stops by the grocery store, which is smaller than most 7-Elevens. Buys some steaks and salad fixings. Cooks at home.

Overall, Mother Nature has been very generous with us on this trip, as long as we’re patient and don’t demand perfect weather on any given day. She appreciates a window and has, so far, complied. The rain is now blowing sideways. It looks like we may lose this one.

Let’s see what tomorrow brings.