I have had such a lovely few days in Donegal. Just after Easter we all went to Kerrykeel, to spend the Monday and Tuesday there. We then went back down on the Friday to the Sunday. We discovered some new beaches, had a barbeque, sorted out the flower beds, cooked very little for a change, and lit the wood burning stove.
The amazing thing was that I think we really started to chill as soon as we got there. And it was so lovely; about half an hour after getting there we heard a 'Halloooo' from downstairs. It turned out my best chum from school days was staying nearby, in Portsalon, and she had checked our house on the off chance of us being there.
It was really good to catch up, and within a few hours we were all sitting in the pub in Portsalon, she with her husband and three children, us with our squad; looking out to sea and drinking Guinness. The kids have a favourite drink called 'Football Special' which is made in nearby Ramelton and is like a cross between cream soda and Iron Bru. It is really nice (good for hangovers I believe). You couldn't want more than a bag of crisps and a Football Special if you are a kid (or a hungover adult).
I had been quite inspired (or should I say frantic) by 'Big bucket girls' discovery of so many starfish on her local beach. She had blogged about it, and I was quite desperate to see some on our beaches. She said it was their breeding season. I love starfish and we have found a few over the past two years. So off we went, all starry-eyed, peering into lots of pools, and into every crack and cranny.
Well I am mystified. Not one did I see, which leads me to conclude that Irish starfish are quite bashful and conduct all antics during breeding season in a very deep dark crevice, away from prying eyes. A bit like Irish people, unless they have had too many Guinness, and not enough 'Football Specials'.
Those Welsh starfish have no shame.
