A wee trip to Kilskeery

We got into our wee car and set off for the drive to Kilskeery via Belleek. This is a beautiful journey, along Lough Erne, which is really two lakes with 365 islands in it, through shady tunnels of shrubbery and past the mountains. We arrived in Belleek, a village which sits in two counties; County Fermanagh and County Donegal, famous for its pottery where fine porcelain has been made since 1886. Walking around the village we noticed a lovely house. It was painted pink, not a colour you would normally choose, but it looked great with a brighter pink door.

As we walked by, a man working around the house began talking to us. This phenomenon is usual in Ireland. We must be obvious to the locals because they quickly identify us as visitors and want to engage us in conversation. It's a bit like a naughty child being found out by their mother - they think they have gotten away with their misdemeanour, only to be confronted and questioned heavily. We heard all about the pink house, the owners, your man's family and his views on Brexit and so much more. This same exchange happened a few days ago in Cavan. It's quite challenging to extract oneself from these encounters!

We proceeded on to Kilskeery, arriving about 2pm. This is where my Mum is from and where her cousins still live. They call themselves "the walking wounded" for obvious reasons which I won't go into. Their average age is 80 years and they are all equal in their enthusiasm for all things to do with talking.

Before we left for our trip away we visited my aunt in Bendigo and recorded a message from her for the folks in Ireland. It was priceless to observe as each one in turn watched Aunty talking to them; they were answering her as if she was talking to them in person. When I suggested that they send a message back to Australia they all claimed that they couldn't talk but once they got going the stories flowed and the background banter accompanying them was hilarious. I can't wait to show our filmings to Aunty when we next visit her.

This is Robert and Evelyn's front garden, it's full of garden gnomes - Aunty will love seeing them.

Allan thought we would leave after about three hours but they were having none of that. Tea had been arranged in Irvingstown so we took Barbara and Robert with us. Barbara was very efficient with her directions from the back seat, as she was in ordering Robert's meal. It was ordered at least five times, I was amazed that the waitress didn't bring him five plates of steak and chips.

What a joy to see a brother and his sisters so devoted to each other. And what a joyous occasion to have been blessed to experience. A few tears were shed as we parted company but we are so glad to have had this opportunity to see our precious family once again.

The football final is coming up this weekend and Cavan is one of the finalists. The locals have been encouraged to get their flags up by way of cheering the team on. There are signs along the roadways from many of the local MPs and many houses have the Cavan colours flapping in the breeze.

A nice colourful expression of the local community spirit.