WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28
We didn’t get to say a proper goodbye to Saffi. Fiona was hovering over her like a hawk. Though…Saffi did manage to sneak into the bathroom when both Chloe and I were in there. Clever dog! What a love.
Up early, and off. I think Fiona couldn’t get us out of there quickly enough. Understandable that she wanted her home and dog back. And thanks to the unwelcome feelings, we were okay leaving. Now that is luck in a strange package. It was more than that, though. I was ready to go. I’m ready to face what is next, feeling more confident about the unknown. I will forever be grateful to this gorgeous, restorative part of the world, for the long walks, and warm people, and endless beauty.
A nearly full bus picked us up in Leap at 9am. Chloe and I had to sit separately and I sat next to a nice man who had come from Ballydehob. He going to visit he 93-year old mother who lives in Dublin, where he grew up. He told me alot about the landscape we passed, about how the farmers are clearing it of trees. Only 3% of all of Ireland is preserved, he said, and Ireland is around the ninth wealthiest country in the world. That was surprising information.
We had about an hour in Cork before the “express bus” left at noon, and crossed the street to the mall where we picked up some salads at M&S and I grabbed a coffee at Costa Coffee.
The bus to Dublin wasn’t nearly as full, and we sat near the front. I asked the driver if it was the express. We didn’t want to be on another puddle hopper. He said yes.
It was a puddle hopper. We didn’t arrive in Dublin until nearly 4:30pm. A long ride, but maybe good to have all that time to sit, and look out the window and listen to music and drift in and out of sleep.
It felt great to arrive in Dublin, to be back in a city. A gorgeous warm day. Almost like summer, which we felt like we’ve missed. At one point in my walks with Patrick, he said to me, ‘”you are in your element here.” I was in my element in West Cork, but I am more in my element in the city. Chloe is the same. The countryside is a good place to revive and unwind, but the city is where we find our excitement.
A taxi to our hotel and then out for a long walk along the canal to the Leith River. Dublin is a city on the move, so many new buildings, cranes rising high behind the Leith River, Google and Citi bank offices. Strange that there isn’t a more vibrant fashion world here, but then people don’t seem to care what they wear. Kind of unusual for a European city, but maybe very Irish.
It was dark by the time we made our way back to the hotel along the long road of Embassies and business offices in well-preserved, brick buildings.
