At least I had a break at half time, where I went down to the beach to get coffee. The Coffee Hatch advertises the best coffee in Lahinch. It was very nice and later, Marie told me the owner lived just over the hill from her.. I think everyone in Lahinch knows everyone and everyone's business as well!!!
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| Coffee Hatch |
But let's go back before the distress caused my Hawks terrible loss....
When I first booked my little apartment, the one stand out thing that was missing was a washing machine !! And not just my apartment, the whole town of Lahinch does not boast of a laundromat.
You can find some washing machines in Ennistymon - about 10 minutes away...
But... they are attached to a petrol station and they are out in the open... so you would have to sit there and wait for your washing on the grounds of the petrol station. Not really my idea of a good time!!
Anyway... back to the story..
When I booked this apartment, I pointed this out to Julia who was looking after the bookings and her solution was that I could bring my washing down to her office and for a small fee, she would see that the washing was done. Sounds like a plan!!
But.... alas and alack... I took my washing down this morning and she sadly admitted that they no longer had the washing machine access and there weren't many options to offer as alternatives... unless I wanted to sit in the grounds of the petrol station and wait for my washing!!!
So, what to do... Thank God for relatives!!! I texted cousin Marie and she immediately said Yes... come on down!!
So once the footy was over (*sob* *sob*) I took myself and my washing to her house and we immediately put it on and we were underway!
Her children were in Ennis having their music lessons, but soon they returned and I had brought a few gifts for them from Australia, so it was party time!!!I wonder if you can see a common theme in the presents???
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Ellen loves basketball so here's her Lauren Jackson top
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Guess what Patrick likes
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| Moira Patrick and Ellen |
Many thanks to my cousin in Melbourne, Liz Philpott and her daughter Julie who helped me choose and then collect the above items and deliver them to me whilst I was in Melbourne. The kids absolutely loved their gifts and I'm very grateful to Liz and Julie for their help in getting them... :)
Here are some more pics of the Shannon family. Marie and I share a common great, great grandfather. Our family emigrated from the farm that is still in the hands of the Curtins. Nora Curtin (Marie's Mum) and Sean (Marie's brother) still live on Curtin land in Tullygarvan - just outside Lahinch.
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| That dog Daisy is not spoiled!! NOT!! |
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| Nora Curtin and Moira |
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| Patrick Marie Ellen and Pat Shannon |
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| Patrick Moira Daisy the Dog Marie and Ellen |
Also had a few discussions about our heritage but it's bit hard to find out about our heritage... I'm still working on that.
Marie shared a few pics from her family
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| Patrick and Nora Curtin's wedding day |
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| Sean Curtin - brother of Patrick (Marie's Dad) |
So, my washing dramas led to me a lovely day with my family over here. At one stage Marie said.. "You look really at home here" And it was so true... I really do feel at home here in County Clare. And I do feel very much at home with the Shannon family.
While we were waiting for the final drying of the washing, Ellen played us a few songs on her fiddle, and it was lovely. There is something very poignant about Irish music, and Ellen has this in abundance.
Here's a little video that captures that..
So It's amazing where a story about washing take you in one day!! :)
