Harbors and History...
We are using our very quaint cottage as a home base for adventures.  Each day we head out, not certain where we will end up but delighting in the Irish countryside and all that it holds.
When I think of Ireland, I think of scenes like this one.  We drove for hours with the few like this.  They describe the weather here as "moody and misty".  Moody certainly fits.
Lunch was in the quaint village of Kinsale, set around a harbor with multi-colored store fronts and wonderful meandering opportunities.  (Interesting side note: it is here at Old Head of Kinsale, that the Lusitania cruise ship was sunk by a German U-boat in 1915). Lunch, by the way continues, to be one of our favorites- soup and  bread.  This Irish wholemeal brown bread is so fantastic and light with an almost 'wet' feel to it.  Baking soda is used instead of yeast and it contains buttermilk. Today we ate it with sweet potato, apple and cauliflower soup.  Heaven!
Behind us is the harbor for Cobh (Queenstown).  It has an illustrious history.  It was the port that said goodbye to 2.5 million emigrants leave for America after the Famine and it was also the last port stop for the ill-fated Titanic.  Today, sailboats raced about seemingly unaware of the importance of this piece of waterway.
No stop to Cork City is complete without a visit to the Cork Butter Museum.  Truly it was a great stop.  We learned so much.  Housed in the building that once was the largest butter market place in the world, this quaint museum tells of Ireland's most important food export.  It also looks at food culture in early Ireland.  The film about the evolution in farming and the worldwide success of Irish butter since the 1960s made me look at the sweet cow faces more appreciatively.
This area is full of descendants of important Americans. William Ford, automaker Henry’s father, is from the tiny village of Ballinascarthy hence this tribute.
We realize as we head out for each day’s explore that there is no way we will see it all. We are loving each pause we make.  The people we meet are gracious.  The food has been plentiful.  Each day begins blustery yet at sometime during the day, the sun breaks through.  We are loving it here.

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2 comments:

Four Points Bulletin said...

What a day! I love the misty pictures.
It looks beautiful.
And the bread sounds delicious! I think I should try to make some...
I am glad you are having a great time.
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Nick and Deb's Excellent Adventure said...

The countryside looks amazing! The butter museum looks intersting too! We need to learn the recipe for the bread and that soup looks and sounds lovely! Great pictures and we are enjoying each and every one!

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