A Day in Westport

I first heard about Westport at the beauty shop in Achill Sound.  I must go there for shopping they told me.  Local knowledge like this cannot be wrong.  So I was elated when Tom suggested we go for a day trip.  It was indeed a welcome alternative to the near by villages where most of the shops and eateries display CLOSED signs in their windows.  He dropped me in the heart of the shopping center and turned me loose.  I stopped for a coffee in Gavin's Cafe.

Then I browsed the shops- books shops, woolen shops, clothing, art shops- even a cookware shop and a beauty supply (I needed a Lancôme product and HOORAY they had it).

It was now lunchtime .  With some difficulty, I met up with Tom.  He said to meet him at the bank and there are 2 banks in town.  Finally though we got together and Tom chose a hotel restaurant he had been in before.  

I had bangers and mash.  I hadn't had it for years but it still tasted great- Irish sausages over mashed potatoes covered with an onion sauce.  YUM!

The dining rooms were charming 

and the bar w hopping.  I came "home" with a full tummy and full shopping bags. 

An Island Walk on Sunday

iT was almost lunchtime when I decided to take a walk.  I bundled up and headed out.  By the time I reached the edge of the house I turned back.  The wind was just too cold.  Why not have lunch first I asked myself.  Tom had brought me a loaf of traditional bread.  The label read Irish stone ground whole wheat bread.  With it he also brought a mackerel to be fried.

Tom eats a lot of fish.  Last week he brought lightly smoked salmon.  

After lunch I made another attempt to walk.  This time I stuck with it and walked about a mile down the road.  Earlier in the day there had been 6 kite surfers in the bay.  I was too far from them at the time to get a good photo but now the swans are out for a swim.  I walked about a mile before turning around.