We've seen gorgeous, beautiful, wonderful things in Ireland this trip
and last but Inishturk is in a category of its own. I am completely
smitten with it. Today we had a wonderful breakfast at our B&B and
then headed out to do the cliff walk around the island. There were baby
lambs chasing each other and a beautiful mist hugging the hills when we
left. Climbing one hill, we were surrounded by mist. I did wonder if
we were walking into the mists of Avalon. For about three hours, we
only saw sheep, rocks, moss, water, hills, and birds. The only signs of
human life were ruins of stone houses. At one moment I wondered why
the world doesn't gather here to stand in awe of this incredibly place
but soon after I was grateful they didn't-- it was nice just to have the
sheep, rocks, sea and sky around us. The cliff trail wasn't very well
marked and in our wonder we wandered away from it. We had a basic sense
of where we were and where we needed to be. We found ourselves walking
through a stone fence sheep enclosure and soon after through someone's
farm yard. We realized the farmers were watching us. We've lived in
parts of the world where people might have met us with anger, suspicion,
and perhaps even a firearm or two. But here, to our relief, we were
met with a very hearty welcome and an invitation in for a cup of tea.
In chatting with our lovely new friend, we realized she is the mum of
someone we know in Westport. She chatted with us and walked us to the
road, reissuing an invitation for tea on our next visit. She asked me
if we had plans to return to Ireland and I said, "It depends if we
actually end up leaving." Staying occupies more and more of my thoughts
each day. Inishturk in a jewel in this crown and I'm not sure I could
be more in love with a place. This must be why they make you sign
something saying you'll return after sabbatical.
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