Portumna Day 2 - 2 May 2023

2 May 2023 - Portumna Marina

It did feel a little strange to be left alone last night in the huge car park. The man had kindly said he’d leave the gates unlocked for us, and not have the outside lights on. Late evening a man wandered in, looked through the workhouse windows, then climbed over some fences nearby - looked like he was going to camp for the night. We’re just glad nothing untoward happened, would feel incredibly guilty as the man was doing us a favour by letting us park there overnight.

We left fairly early and went to SuperValu to stock up. Lovely supermarket - it had so much choice in ‘homemade’ ready meals by O’Meara’s - was like visiting Cook at home. We’ll be eating better for a few days!

Drove down to the Marina, and spaces available now to park. We’re right on the end, so space to sit out on the grass - if it was warmer!

Went and had a cuppa sitting on the picnic benches by the marina - it’s fair to say that the ducks are very tame!

Once again, it seems everyone wants to chat. A man called Terry said it was because the Irish are nosy. I feel I should have some kind of Irish in me, as it’s been said I ask a lot of questions!

We went off to the forest nearby to cycle around, 9 miles just in and around.

Many years ago, I subscribed to Top Sante magazine, and I remember them doing an article about ‘forest bathing’ - we just call it walking in the woods! I was having a lovely time, cycling through the paths, birdsong everywhere, noticing the new green shoots on the trees - when I heard a commotion behind me. Tintin’s pedal had caught a rock, and he fell off his bike - his neck hit a tree and he landed heavily on his right side, hip and forearm. All I heard was his new Apple Watch talking to him, as it had detected his fall and then no movement. There was also a woman walking two dogs calling out, Jesus - is he ok? Well, at that time, I didn’t know myself! - he sort of is. Nothing is broken, his bike is ok - but he’s probably going to be quite sore for a few days. And no, no photographic evidence, as I wasn’t sure how badly he was hurt - as he lay there trying to decide if he was ok before moving. It’s being that extra year older now! In fairness the paths were fairly narrow, and he does have wide handlebars, with his mirror making it more so.

We’ve had our first doing nothing kind of afternoon - catching up with family and just taking stock. It’s a good job we’re parked at this ‘aire’. €10 for 24 hours - all moho servicing, electric if you need it, plus a man who comes and collects your rubbish! What a brilliant place. Takes 20 mohos, and is permanently busy. The man from earlier, Terry said they come from Galway and warned us motorhomes aren’t really welcome there. His wife said when this place first opened the travelers wrecked it straight away, they even stole trolley loads of food from the supermarket we went to this morning. She said they’ll never stay anywhere unless there are a quite a few vans. Another woman said at least the Garda are at the top of the hill. Are we being naive? We prefer to be alone at night, and have - so far - felt safe. The woman even bought herself an Apple Watch because her daughter had said she needed the Apple tracker for her bike, as so many things get stolen 😦

So, verdict on our baby potatoes with garlic butter, and salmon with garlic and herbs… well - no one will want to talk to us tomorrow! Our little oven took longer to cook everything - but in these ovens, who knows what 180° is, or even if it gets to that temperature!

What’s lovely is being able to speak the same language here, we’ve never really had that before.  I think Tintin has previously been surprised when I’ve said I feel quite lonely when we’ve been in Europe. It’s not that my husband isn’t enough - it’s just good to chat to other people to get different points of view.

Tintin has been medicated with a good dose of rum, and hopefully won’t feel too bad in the morning - from his fall, not a hangover!