moonlight over the cows

Last night, walking home from the pub, I decided to walk to the pier. I didn't make it that far for the cow eating grass stopped me. It was so quiet, I could hear her taking bites of grass. Swish, shush, swish, shush. There was the faint, sweet scent of cows with the crisp ocean air, moonlight, stars, dark road... bucolic paradise. Swish, shush, swish, shush.

I've been having coffee at the pubs, by the way. I may be going each night, but I'm having coffee. I've not even had a Guinness. I have had a couple of Bulmer's, which is a light, sweet cider with an interesting peach hue.

More folks arrived yesterday morning to the perfect weather. We gallavanted about the countryside as a caravan. There were moments of extreme self-control for me; I can handle group situations comfortably when there is a plan and we all follow the itinerary. Yesterday was spontaneous. Let's go to the Burren! I did my best to subtly guide things, thankfully most folks wanted to go to the same places and my suggestions weren't new ideas. Three cars, 12 people. It was, if I'm honest and look at the big picture, fun.

We visited the Burren Visitor's Center in Kilfenora. Next door is a church with midieval high crosses. Not as amazing as I'd thought, but interesting. It's me, not the sights. On this trip, I'm not finding things as fascinating as I would have in the past... maybe because I'm distracted by the others in our group. I don't know what it is. The crosses were interesting and I did get a lovely photo or two, but they didn't hold my attention.

After Kilfenora we headed to the Burren Perfumery. You travel down secondary roads for a while and then take a right turn down a lane of recent asphalt that appears to have been thrown down directly onto the landscape. I hate to think of what kind of "road" was there before the asphalt. The drive leads you to a peaceful spot with large, full trees and a small parking area surrounded by wild plants. It is a beautiful, quiet spot. The scents they make are interesting and come from the local flora; you can truly smell grass in the summer fragrance and pink flowers in the spring.

From there we headed off to the Poulnabrone dolmen. We managed to get there between busloads of tourists, so I was able to catch some tourist-free photos. It is in an amazing location. As interesting to me as Stonehenge and as peaceful. Or it would have been had I not had to jump back in the car and leave with everyone else. At one point, I was down on my knees taking a picture of an interesting purple and pink flower and I hear our group laughing behind me; apparently, they had pointed out my prostrated position and three others followed my lead (you really can't be proud and catch the best photos).

After the dolmen, I was able to head back into town. J.'s Dad had to get some work done and so she was driving him back to the hotel. The rest of the group took the coastal road back to Doolin. As I have been feeling vista-ed out since the Cliffs of Moher, I was perfectly happy to go back to the hotel, sit on a comfy chair in the bar and drink my cider while chatting with J. and her matron of honor G. Good company, good cider, no more curvy roads.

The weather today is, again, unexpected. No clouds, no jacket. I shall take my knitting and hang out on the rocks at the end of the road to the pier. I've been going to the Gulf Coast for my beach fix for so long, I'd forgotten that the ocean is even better when it has huge rocks to crash against.