Well, yesterday to be exact. I was having too much fun last night to finish the post, so you get it early this morning.
We’re in Clifden, on the west coast in County Galway, and yesterday was just a glorious day. We have friends in England who warned us that this was a horrible time to visit Ireland due to the weather, but we’ve had just grand weather. (Notice how I’m starting to talk like the locals?) We had one day when it just plain rained, and we’ve had a couple of windy days, but mostly it has been sunny for at least a good part of each day. It’s been cool, but that I can live with. It gave me an excuse to buy a nice little sweater while I am here.
So how did I spend my 53rd birthday? We drove around the Sky Road west of Clifden in the morning, with glorious views of the ocean and the many (300) surrounding islands. Then we drove to Leenane, stopping at Connemara National Park for a little hike. In Leenane, I finally hit pay dirt.
I finally found yarn! There were four kinds, all of them Aran weight. My sweetie bought me enough pretty yarn to make a sweater. The prices actually were quite reasonable. Here’s what I got.
The color of that is all wrong, but I think you’ll have to wait till I get home to take an outdoor photo in natural light. I already get mighty funny looks just for knitting in public. I can’t imagine what the locals would do with me if I started taking pictures of yarn in the parking lot. There are roughly 2700 yards of that (not marked on the yarn itself, but I measured the hank, counted strands, and did the math). It’s a pretty, tweedy deep forest green. It will make a lovely sweater.
I didn’t stop there, always thinking of my readers. There’s more.
Those are both Aran weight Donegal tweed, about 200 grams of each color. One of these colors will go in a big blog contest when I get home, so stay tuned later this week.
But wait, there’s more! There was a little spinning and weaving museum attached. The lady who normally is there giving demonstrations was out, but the woman running the shop saw my dejection and let me in.
Here are just a few of the wheels that were on display.
After we left Leenane, we headed for Westport, where we walked around and then had a couple of pints in Matt Malloy’s pub. The bartender bought me a Guinness when he heard it was my birthday.
We drove through some more fabulous scenery, getting back to our hotel just in time for cocktails and dinner.
Back at the hotel, one of the owners, on discovering that it was my birthday, bought me champagne, and at the end of dinner, a birthday treat and singing.
And I got to knit! What could be better?
We’re in Clifden again tonight, then we head back towards Dublin tomorrow, then home on Thursday. We’ve been gone long enough that I actually am ready to be home, though I’ve enjoyed every minute of this trip. Well, maybe not the parts where we’ve been nearly run off the road by tour buses going 100 km an hour, but all the rest of it.
There may or may not be another post before we head home. Someone else thinks I’ve been hogging the computer, so I have to give it up. Remember, check back later this week for a contest post!
Happy Birthday! What a great way to spend it!
What a perfect day to find yarn. Happy Birthday!
Happy birthday!!! Really, what better way to spend it? 🙂
Happy Birthday, Lorette, even if it’s one day late! Looks like you had a fabulous day. I forgot to tell you about the two other places we stopped when there that had knitting/spinning stuff, so you’ll just have to go back I guess …
Have a safe trip home!
P.S. I just realized we are the same age – cool!
Happy Birthday!! Nice yarn you got for a sweater. It will be a nice memory from your trip.
Happy Birthday! They must have known you were coming and ordered up some lovely weather for you to enjoy the sites, the yarn, the drinks and food in 🙂
Happy birthday, Lorette! Mine is right around the corner and I think I started reading your blog when we both had just turned 49…:-) What a wonderful way to spend your birthday! I just got home from your beautiful city and we had ‘glorious’ weather there, too! All sunshine!
Happy, happy birthday! I love how even on your special day, you’re thinking of us when you’re looking at yarn. 🙂
Happy Birthday! Sounds like you found the perfect way to celebrate! The yarn is beautiful!
Happy Birthday Lorette !
What a beautiful yarn you found, it´s a perfect gift for this special day.
We are the same age, and today is my mother´s birthday.
Kisses
Gisele – Brazil
Happy birthday – what a *fantastic* way to spend it! I’ve several similar photos. Too bad you missed the gal at the Sheep & Wool Museum – she had a neat border collie when we were there.
Happy birthday! You get the prize for best celebration this year, if not ever. And best birthday presents. And best birthday dinner. And best birthday location! Lucky knitter.
Happy (late) Birthday!! Looks like a perfect way to celebrate to me. Maybe next year I’ll tell the hubby that he needs to take me yarn shopping and all that fun stuff 🙂
Happy birthday!
Happy belated birthday! I hope you’re having a fantastic time!
Happy Belated birthday! I’m a new reader and have loved reading about your trip. Since I’m half-Irish (from County Cork) I soaked up your commentary, vicariously traveling through your blog. *smile*
LOVE, LOVE the green for your sweater. Do you have a pattern in mind or are you going to search for one? Can’t wait to see it all done. And speaking of sweaters, we’d love to see a pic of your new Irish sweater. Just sayin’. LOL
Happy Birthday to you – I’m 1 1/2 years older 🙂
Looks like a wonderful birthday trip!
How wonderful to finally find yarn on your birthday no less!
thanks for all the photos and stories while you were gone. It was a delightful armchair vacation for all of us!!
and again, Happy birthday!!
HAPPY (belated) BIRTHDAY!!! 🙂
Happy Birthday!
I’m away from my calendar; so, I missed the actual day, but it is the season still…
Happy belated Birthday!! I am so enjoying the pictures of your trip. My maternal grandparents were from Galway. Can’t wait to see your creations with the new yarn!
Happy Birthday and a safe journey home.
Can’t think of a nicer way to spend the day!
What gorgeous colors of yarn! Great souvenirs.
A very happy belated birthday! Sounds like you had a wonderful trip! What a way to spend your special day.