Cork-a-doodle-doo!!

This morning I woke up to the sound of raindrops on the roof and a cacophony of birdsong. The birds are ones I’m used to hearing in my back garden……. Magpies,  crows, wood pigeons, the joyous singing of my favourite bird, Mr Blackbird. This morning there was an additional and less familiar ‘song’, one I don’t hear in my back garden, thankfully ……cock-a-doodle-doo!!

We are in Cork. The county, not the city. We have travelled from close to the furthest north-east you can be on this island to close the furthest south-west. We left our home town in glorious sunshine

We travelled south and watched the grey clouds roll in

As we travelled beyond Belfast, it began to rain. As we crossed the border into the Republic of Ireland, it began to pour.

Thankfully we had checked the forecast ahead of our trip to Cork and, as such, had filled the car with clothing for every weather eventuality! Full wet weather gear?? Check!

As we reached County Cork, we checked the Eirecode given to us by the cottage owner. By this stage our iPhones had both decided we were now in the EU and we really weren’t wanted here…….they went mental and our maps were mucking about something chronic. Eventually, after a few wrong turns and some very bumpy narrow roads, we found our home for the next few days. 

Our cottage is so remote, the key was left in the door for us so we could get in. Thankfully, we entered to find a clean but traditional country cottage. There are three rooms. A kitchen / living room with a log burner (thankfully, because it’s chilly due to all the rain!!), a bedroom with a comfy big bed, and a bathroom. Enough for anyone. In sunny weather it would be ‘delightful’ and ‘quaint’. In the pouring rain it’s ‘grand’. A clean, soon-to-be warm (once the log burner was lit and had a chance to warm up), shelter. 

Once settled, we braved the weather again as we went foraging for food. We found a cute little seaside village with a number of eateries and chose a pub. It was busy and we were seated with a local couple who were also in for some food. 

Conversations with strangers can be such a joy and yesterday evening was no exception. This lovely couple were a pleasure to chat with and even gave us their phone number should we need anything……including full use of their washing machine and tumble dryer if our clothes all ended up soaking due to the weather! What a genuine, sweet couple. They didn’t even seem to mind my incessant chatter…….in my defence, I was tired and still trying to come to terms with how remote we were so my Scottish story telling roots came into full force…….”Billy Joel saved my life you know…….” 

We were in bed early and now up early, thanks to the local cockerel. It’s still raining but we’re not letting it stop us. I’m off to attempt to shower (hubby has warned the temperature is a little temperamental) and then we’re getting the waterproofs on and driving back into civilisation to see what we can find :) 

Gotta love an adventure! Living with xx