FRIDAY, AUGUST 2
“It’s so quiet here,” said Chloe.
It is quiet and peaceful…except for all the visitors! Our first day back with Fiona was full of familiar faces, good food (always the case when Fiona cooks) and examples of what makes this such a special place, everyone cares for everyone else.
It was sunny and not-too-hot. Mary, Olive and Sally stopped by. Others visited the evening before, stopping in when they passed Fiona’s house on their walks. There was tea in the garden. Chloe and I got many welcome hugs.
Saffi’s long walk was around the loop, but before turning up the hill, Fiona spotted a woman who suffers from Alzeheimer walking down the street, layered in coats, wearing heels, carrying a number of purses, and most likely on her way to another town where her son lives. It had been her habit of late. She becomes obstinate when asked where she is going or to turn around and won’t get into anyone’s car but her husband’s.
But here’s the thing…neighbors all pitch in, and help. Fiona, one of the few neighbors this woman still recognizes, took off after her, and when she caught up, she linked arms. They walked together, Chloe and I trailing behind with Saffi. Sally drove by and Fiona sent her to the woman’s husband to let him know where his wife was. Soon the husband arrived to take her home.
Later, Olive stopped by Fiona’s on horseback. They chatted then she rode away down the street. A few minutes later the horse came trotting back. Olive returned because she’d seen the neighbor’s lambs near the a stone fence by the road and was worried it might jump into the road. She asked Fiona to call the farmer who owned the lamb, and let him know.
This is what community looks like here.
When a car passes on the street, Fiona looks out her window to see who it is. Rarely are strangers around. Even in the height of tourist season, which it is right now, few people walk or drive by. Olive told us on the ride to Ballinatona the day before every place is overrun with tourists. She pointed to Union Hall, which we were driving through when she said it, as an example. Later Chloe and I laughed because it looked to us like there were maybe three or four tourists in the entire tiny town. But in these parts, that’s overrun!
For dinner, Fiona made curry — from scratch — with Chloe helping and taking notes. The conversation never stopped during the day. It was all so welcoming and warm.
