Escape to
the Country
We lived
in County Wicklow for 28 of our 35 years and I have always loved its gentle
rolling hills, reminiscent of Shropshire.
The fact that I can trace back a couple of generations to South Wicklow
probably tips the balance a wee bit as well.
Himself’s
car was in need of some beauty treatment.
A leaking oil valve, (or whatever they call it), tyre realignment
(sounds painful) and a general wash, wax and all that rigmarole was called for. I drove down behind him to the dealer’s maintenance
garage in Wicklow town. We then headed
off down-country along back lanes. Avoiding
knocking down low flying swallows, blackbirds incandescent with rage that their
branch had been taken over by a self serving rook. We meandered around bends in the road
enchanted by the richness of the may blossom, the bright yellow of the gorse
and the sound of birdsong along the route.
We were
debating where we would have our lunch.
We’re not Foodies as such, we just like plain, old fashioned home style
cooking. We haven’t traversed these back
roads for about two years and it was reassuring to find them as lovely as
ever. Would we drop into the Bee Hive
just outside Wicklow town on the road to Arklow? Perhaps we might call into Lil Doyles’
restaurant and I could indulge myself with one of their light, fluffy mushroom omelettes? I’m watching “Pie in the Sky” at the moment,
and Henry Crabbe’s obsession with the omelette parfait was probably influential
in that choice. We could keep going and head
for Gorey in Co. Wexford and the Ashdown Hotel where gluten free good Irish
cooking is a way of life.
Let me
wax lyrical about the Ashdown for the moment.
It is, in fact, a new build…well relatively so. It was built at the end of the ‘90’s with a
heavy nod to Arts & Crafts style intermingled with witty pictures on the
walls. My favourite is one of a
fisherman with rod and line, at sea just off a coastline, in a large copper
saucepan. The staff are pleasant and
self-effacing in that they help you out without making a Drama and Occasion of
it. It amuses me to think that in one
hundred years’ time, if it is still standing, people will say with a wise look
on their face “Oh yes, it’s an historic building, built in the 90’s y’know,
last century”. To me, built in the 90’s
conjures up the 1890’s and my Grandmothers (both) who were born in 1897 and
1900 respectively.
However,
I digress. As we rounded a bend in the road just before The Bee Hive we almost
knocked down a nice young man. A nice
young man in high viz jacket, standing at the junction of, well, the makings of
a new motorway to Rosslare. The Bee
Hive, now lurking in a hollow near the access road, is closed for business at
present. We pressed on.
Lil
Doyles’ Pub & Restaurant looks like it may never open again as it sits
cheek by jowl with an enormous bridge, the motorway glowering over the
restaurant. I’m not often rendered
speechless, according to Himself, but not even a squeak was possible.
In fear
and trepidation we headed on for Gorey.
Suspicions were high that a new shopping mall might now exist in the Ivy
Leaf bar and restaurant. The forecourt,
scene of many a happy wedding picture and selfie, would this be a drive in
MacDonald’s? We were so obsessed with the fate of the Ashdown that we forwent
the pleasure of our usual trip out to Courttown to see what was going on.
As they
say in all the best dramatic novels…”A large Phew was emitted”, Oh! All right,
so they don’t go quite that far, but we did emit a loud “Thank God”. There she stood, in full May sunshine and
glory, as a Bride and Groom descended from a 1920’s cream Rolls Royce, welcome
shining out of every window. Suffice it
to say that cauliflower in a light creamy sauce, herby roast beef [from Redmond’s
farm] and gravy, rich like a melted
Galaxy bar, steamed mixed vegetable al dente, and the fluffiest mashed potato
and we were purring like tabbies. I
think I heard C. I. Henry Crabbe purring as well.
We won’t
go into the cost of the beauty treatment for Himself’s beloved motor vehicle, but
let us just say that when he arrived home after me he didn’t give it its
customary little pat and say “Atta girl”.
No, something like “piece of wrap, or snap” or something that rhymes
with that was uttered in a very low tone.
Not to worry, he’ll recover.
She’ll have her rear seats out by tomorrow and the lawn mower, strimmer
and all that stuff will be brought out to sister in laws garden to do the
needful there. Dolores will ride again,
smelling of phew de petrol.
In loving memory of our beloved Cáit O’Connor who left
us this week.
May her spirit fly in the sunlight above the Blasket
Islands of Kerry
And may her soul sit at the right
hand of God. Ar dheis De a anamh dilis.
Sleep the long peaceful sleep mo chara.
3 comments:
Dear Irish Eyes, your post about the Wicklow journey was as surperbly written as I knew it would be.
I join you in every word of your praise and good wishes to dear Cait. Earlier today, I received a message from another from our old early blogging days, letting me know of Cait's passing.
Wasn't her poetry grand? It was accessible and deep. She was a gifted poet, and clearly found much inspiration from her Irish roots and the nature surrounding her in Wales. I am so sorry not to have met her in person, yet feel fortunate to think us as friends.
I understand that Cait's funeral will be on May 29. I will surely be lighting a candle in her honor.
xo
Hoping that you did receive the longish comment I left yesterday...particularly the part about dear Cait.
xo
Irish Eyes, I am returning to this comment box to thank you properly for the wonderful recounting of your road trip to Wicklow. i felt as though I was right there with you and your husband as you made your way through gorgeous, welcoming territory, and faced those restaurant setbacks on the way to the Ashdown's hospitality and delicious cooking. I'm also a huge fan of Pie in the Sky and have seen every episode many times.
Once again, I wish to join you in the tribute to dear Cait O'Connor, a woman who also told a story very well, loved reading and nature, and was a very fine poet. How fortunate I am to have connected with her through the world of blogging. How I do wish I could have met her in person.
I will definitely be lighting a candle in her memory on May 29. xo
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