Evening Tea

It was a perfect day. A drive down the freeway from Dublin to the small town of Thomastown where we would be staying the next night. We had found and checked in at the B&B slated for that night and were off to an adventure. Our hostess told us about a ruin not far from where we were staying, Kells Priory, a 12th Century castle  (or church, I'm not quite sure). Kells Priory contained a church, just off the parking. It was large building, stone walls slightly green from moss, roof long since gone, and abundant plants growing from the floor on the interior. To the left was a small gate. We ventured on through the gate to discover a large green grassy field, several sheep grazing freely, and an imposing stone wall surround what one could only assume was once a grand castle. We wandered among the combination of green growing grass, ivy and moss covered stone walls, and construction equipment from the restoration in progress. Few people wandered the grounds and for much of the time, it seemed we had the place entirely to ourselves. We continued on and found a footbridge that crossed Kings River running along the back of the priory and walked the green island for a distance. The journey continued past an old watermill and a warehouse. We passed a thatched roof cottage, mom so enthralled with the pictures of the house I had to remind her that someone lived there. We laughed. Eventually we circled back across a stone bridge, through the town Kells and found ourselves back at the parking for Kells Priory. Tired, hungry, and thoroughly amazed at the experience we journeyed back to Thomastown to grab dinner and head back to the B&B. Finding a take out fish and chips joint we took our dinner back and grabbed a table on the outside patio of the B&B. As we unpacked the delicious smelling food, our hostess came out giving us plates, napkins, cups of water and a pot of tea.

It was a lovely day of adventure, perfect cool weather with puffy clouds in the sky. Brilliant green vegetation against green/black stone. Now a lovely evening with fantastic fish and chips, delicious Irish tea in lovely cups. We enjoyed our meal, tired, but relaxed and happy and watched the sunset.

I have a cup of tea now and think back to this day often. It was a once in a lifetime experience, elements of a day one couldn't design to recreate and yet, I long to return. To see these places again, to experience everything again.