This last week and a half was rather busy, starting with a “Thanksgiving” dinner with friends last Sunday, followed by some excellent cycling and good weather. Then a much anticipated trip to visit my friend Tara in Ireland. It’s been over three years due to all the Covid debacle, and even longer since I’ve been to the Emerald Isle.
We had so much to catch up on and required some serious quality time so a visit to Farnham Estate outside Cavan Town for National Women’s Enterprise Day—in which Tara was a guest speaker—was a perfect excuse for a road trip to the countryside. The historic Farnham Estate is set on 1,300 acres of beautiful rolling country hills and has been around since the 1600s. Recently it was re-established as an elegant spa and hotel which opened in 2006.
The estate is rather remote, so we planned to stay put and enjoy the grounds and spa in the very soothing and calm environment. We were lucky; the weather had clouds, sunshine and not too much rain. While I was frozen and not used to the cool autumn temperatures, the sunshine was lovely and an unexpected gift for this time of year. After a few days away, a decadent facial, lovely meals, and an inspiring event, we headed back to Tara’s.
And back at Tara’s are their new-ish doggies, Poppy and Meg. A golden retriever and yellow lab, the two are quite a pair. I totally fell in love and soaked up as much dog therapy as I could. They could be little devils (they ate all the local lentils and petite épeautre I brought from Provence!) but they were so loving and cuddly I couldn’t quite get enough of them. On our last evening, the weather was spectacular, and we went to the estuary and sandbanks for a walk with them. It was a stunning evening and a perfect way to end my short yet wonderful few days with my friends. Thank you so much.
