With our six-week exams behind us, two of my roommates and I took off on a sunny Saturday morning and headed out to West Cork county near the southwestern side of Ireland. The beauty of Ireland never disappoints, and this place is a wonder! Driving Ireland proved to be somewhat of a challenge (code: adventure) for three hapless and directionally challenged individuals. Ha, ha! Did we get lost despite (or maybe it was due to) our total trust in GPS? Yes. Did we wander onto someone’s farmland? Yes. Did we happen upon a parade of beautiful, vintage farm tractors driven by ruddy-faced Irishmen? Yes!

Thank the good Lord we drove during the daytime, as I am convinced that in the dark we might gotten ourselves stuck in a field for the night for not knowing where we were! It’s a good thing we all shared a communal sense that nothing could go “too wrong”, and lo and behold, after a wee bit of wandering, we found the road that took us to our day’s sightseeing destination: Mizen Head. This is one of the far western sections of coastline, belonging to a series of viewing points making up “The Wild Atlantic Way”. This view of rugged rocks and breathtaking cliffs presented an untamed and windswept view of the Atlantic that for me, was completely mesmerizing.

We explored, photographed, and shivered for about an hour, and when we arrived at our hotel, we were welcomed by a glowing fireplace and the promise of dinner. That and an extra hour of sleep courtesy of (the end of) daylight savings, we were ready for our next two days of adventures through Glengariff, Kenmare and the Killarney National Forest. Did you know that Ireland has snow covered MOUNTAINS? I sure didn’t!! The hopeful addition of a visit to Dingle to see more rugged coastline proved to be an over ambitious goal. It would seem that my roommates and I admittedly shared a calling to stroll down quaint streets and goggle over the arts, crafts, food and gorgeousness of a small Irish town. But all who wander are not lost, eh? We had a sunny, gorgeous day taking in the charming sites. I’ve learned that often times, the best plans can result from having no plans, and that by keeping an open mind, it is possible to find exactly what you need.

And so, yes, this Australian, Canadian and American ultimately did finally wander in to our first pub during our stay in Ireland. And what did we order??? Three stouts and three burgers! While we hoped that our teachers wouldn’t be disappointed at our menu selection, we decided that this afternoon called for a burger and a Guinness! Our very humble and basic choice proved to be the perfect anecdote for a cold afternoon.

We’ve since safely made it home, and our three-day mini road trip closed out the week like nothing else could. With exams now thankfully behind us, we can dig in to the second half of our classes with a new sense of excitement. It’s now almost November, and for my Aussie friend and I, this is about as cold as we think we have ever been! Our Canadian skips about as though this were summer weather, while I thank God every day for my long underwear! Oi vey!

We are making pheasant this week, and in a gutsy move, I volunteered to pluck one myself. While I found the plucking a pheasant less than pleasant (forgive me the pun!) maybe the meal will redeem the experience. Our birds will be basted in butter, so I anticipate deliciousness on the horizon. This week also brings Halloween and a day of working in the Ballymaloe Pizzeria. On Saturday I’ll be slinging pizzas all day and learning the intricacies of a working with a giant wood-burning oven. Don’t laugh, but all I can think of is standing in front of fire all day! Did I mention that I’m COLD???

I’m tucking into bed with a hot water bottle now. My feet have never been happier! Until next time, wishing you warmth and joy!

Mizen Head ~ located on the Western Coast of Ireland

I am trying to smile through the unpleasantry of this pheasant plucking procedure!