Monday, May 14, 2007

A Day in Galway...

Here is a random compilation of Tania's and my tours around Galway, the daily sights...

The first task requiring thought is getting downstairs... notice the importance of staring the day on the RIGHT foot.


On a good day, the sun has not yet given way to rain (or the rain has broken up) and the clinic stands on the hill in its young glory. It is really a lovely building; the front is all consulting rooms with stunning views of Galway Bay and the mountains of the Burren. The back overlooks calm pastures...




On a day off, you may end up in a different town such as Westport, on a random jaunt, enjoying the ever-present streams and stonework.



Or you might end up shopping at The Wooden Heart in Galway, with its corkscrew stairway winding three floors to the attic. The shop so tiny I could reach half way across it, but it has the best selection of toys (mostly of the ingenious German variety) I've ever seen.



Then you could walk down to Galway Bay in the Claddaugh community and watch the swans... The thatched roofs are gone in recent years, but the well-known wedding band of this little place is still worn regularly.

Then you can wander through the Spanish Arch (dodging bicycles, soccer balls and lounging college students and musicians on sunnier days), walk down the quay road lining the Claddagh to the more commercial side of the Galway Harbor...
Admire the yachts....
And the massive ships which frequent these docks. Twice the Irish Navy has had small ships here, but I've missed my moment both times!

On the way home, you will enjoy all the sturdy little flowers that cheerfully spill all over the stone walls...

After dinner you could walk on the Promenade and look back on Salthill (the town we live in)....


Or head to the beach with Molly, the house spaniel...
Fetching from the ocean is Molly's favorite pasttime!


Cycling is Maeve's favored pasttime. Maeve and Emma are the two girls in our host family and keep our suppertime lively!
But sometimes like tonight, we just hang out and blog, , since it is pouring buckets outside. :)
That's life in Ireland!

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Im irish, born in glendalough.. strangely similar to where my mothers from colorado.. less snow though. Must say loved your blog the very true and but yet shows the beauty of Ireland well you've got a great range of sights too, I still know of a couple hidden tresures you didnt get in.. but I'm giving people your blog when they ask whats Ireland like to visit.. i guess.. ?! thanks! a million! Slán lat, (good health) agus (&) Go mbeannaí Dia duit (May God bless you)