Weekend in Skerries

Death Grip

Saturday morning we headed out on our "Big" Adventure - Jim's first time driving on the other side.  I think that he was much more relaxed than I was...I kept looking out my side window and worried about how we were veering left, as he was worried about getting too close to the center line/oncoming cars.  In spite of my nerves and Jim's reassurance that he had it under control (mostly) we managed to find our way to the motorway and headed north to Skerries.  It was an easy navigation until we got to Skerries and encountered the many roundabouts, some very narrow roads, and street signs in locations that we didn't see.  We had been to Andrea's house before in 2010, and saw the windmills that are across from her house, but it seemed we kept driving in circles around the windmill park, unable to find the way in to her street.  We asked one woman who was very friendly, but when we followed her advice we were in circles again.  Almost ready to admit defeat and call Andrea to rescue us, we asked one more person "can you direct us to Greenlawns?" He smiled and said that it was the street we were already on. Of course, then we noticed the "obvious" street signs embedded in a low stone wall.

Mama and Papa 

Andrea's garden is spectacular, so we were quickly able to relax and enjoy the lunch her son-in-law Mick had prepared.

The seagulls were also hoping to be served and hovered close by waiting for handouts.  Their 3 babies were on a nearby roof waiting for their food to delivered.

and their three little ones

Some other little ones: Mick and Deirdre's (Dee) kids, James and  Chloe

The big event of the day was watching Dee participate in a Triathlon.  The first event was swimming in the Irish Sea (56 degrees) while we all comfortably (and warmly) watched from the Skerries south beach.  It was followed by a bike race, and the 5K run.

James kept busy while mommy was in the water

We all took a nice stroll along the beach while Dee was on the 5K

This was our first chance to cheer her on as she raced down to the point at the end of the beach 

And looking good on the final stretch

Crossing the finish line

Andrea's younger daughter Eimer, fiancé Leo, and baby Evelyn

Eimer and Leo's daughter Lillian

Dee and her cheering squad

After the race, we walked to the market and then back to Andrea's house.  Skerries is a charming beach town - very quaint -- and she lives in walking distance of the beach, the downtown and the windmill park.  It was another beautiful day in spite of being overcast.

Mick is the chef of the family - while they are living with Andrea temporarily after having lived in England for a number of years.  Wanting to return to Dublin, Mick was able to get a job coaching rugby, and Dee is now a high school PE teacher in Dublin.  He started off by offering a cocktail - he was going to make mojitos, which are our favorites.  He said he'd never made them, but we were more than happy to have him experiment on us.  Five pitchers later...

Dee and husband Mick get the Mojitos started

Looking like I had one too many

It was a very fun evening - and a late one.  Very light here until late at night - so suddenly the sun is going down and it is after 10:00 p.m.  Not sure if it was the mojitos, the relief of having survived the first "drive" or all the fresh air, but we both had a great night's sleep.

Today (Sunday) was Father's Day here as well.  Mick got it started with a breakfast of pancakes, berries and creme before they headed out to see his parents.  Eimer and family came for a short visit, then we headed out with Andrea to see some more of Skerries.

Took a lovely walk through Ardgillan Park.  It houses an 1738 British country estate, now owned by the city and used as a park.  Spectacular views of the Irish Sea and the mountains of Northern Ireland, and colorful gardens.

Petite ferns growing between the stones

Rose garden

Vegetable Garden

Jim getting new ideas for our backyard

Jim and Andrea

Headed back into Skerries for lunch at the Mill-house

California poppies behind the big red poppies

Next we were off to see Andrea's most recent acquisition - an "allotment" at nearby community garden.  She does such a good job with the flower garden at her house, we expect that soon her plot will be as abundant as the surrounding ones.

One last peek at the Skerries harbor and we were on our way back to Dublin.  Jim was an expert on the drive home.  I think I only gasped once...

The first week has flown by!  We have so enjoyed our time with the Irish relatives, but no that they head off to their holiday in France, we have to get down to some serious sight seeing!