Ireland Day 8: Twenty years
We always do exactly what we're in the mood for on our anniversary - sometimes that's binge watching movies on the couch in PJs.
Today, that was a trail ride through the Irish forest (slowly; I've ridden for years but Roland has been on a horse twice and I'd rather the anniversary adventure didn't end with him broken). A kitty was waiting for us at the stable so a fluffy fix was had before we legged up. My mount, Guinness, was a bit spirited - as requested - and Roland was given a sweet tempered horse and was almost not frustrated as the guide and I spent the next hour trying to coach him into gathering his reins properly. It took about an hour to walk through the ancient forest and through the castle grounds.
After we dismounted, a little dog brought us sticks to play with and followed us all the way to the trap range. Dottie puppy belongs to the shooting instructor so, as we took turns at the clays (Browning 525 is a lovely shotgun - I might need one for Christmas - and the instructor decided we knew what we were doing about three shots in when I'd starbursted each clay), we'd feel a tap on our foot and find Dottie had dropped the stick on your boot waiting for another throw. How can you resist that springer spaniel cuteness that so reminds you of Giacomo? Ahroo. Must. Chase. All. The. Things. AHROOOOO.
The afternoon hours we spent wandering the formal gardens, a different direction than the lake path we'd taken last night, diverting along all the forest paths and watching participants in the falconry school. Eventually, we went back to the castle and lingered in the lounge for drinks. The glass topped tables show off the various guns from the castle's collection, which greatly intrigued us, like a museum where they bring you fine cocktails.
We rounded out the day in formal style, retiring upstairs to change for dinner into full black tie because if a thing is worth doing it's worth overdoing. They do require coats in the dining room, but when we strode in, Roland in a tux and I in a little black dress, most of the patrons were skating by, collared shirt and sports coat. The waiters were quite enthused by our attire and when they looked up our booking I smiled at the maitre'd and said, wistfully, Oh I do hope it's the table by the window.
Why, yes, ma'am, we love to say yes. We were seated in a cozy nook with one other table, a couple from Canada celebrating their 8th anniversary. No one believed it was our twentieth. Roland's Dorian Grey powers and my fitness efforts make us look young.
The food was amazing. I ordered the chef's tasting menu which was superb. After, our waiter followed us out into the garden to take pictures of us and we lingered out there with the moon rising over the still daylit lake. The chill eventually motivated us back to the warm lounge where there were more drinks, lovely music entertaining and the staff smoothly brought us cake, "Happy Anniversary" written around the rim in chocolate.
We were floating when we finally wandered off to bed, hand in hand.
Today, that was a trail ride through the Irish forest (slowly; I've ridden for years but Roland has been on a horse twice and I'd rather the anniversary adventure didn't end with him broken). A kitty was waiting for us at the stable so a fluffy fix was had before we legged up. My mount, Guinness, was a bit spirited - as requested - and Roland was given a sweet tempered horse and was almost not frustrated as the guide and I spent the next hour trying to coach him into gathering his reins properly. It took about an hour to walk through the ancient forest and through the castle grounds.
After we dismounted, a little dog brought us sticks to play with and followed us all the way to the trap range. Dottie puppy belongs to the shooting instructor so, as we took turns at the clays (Browning 525 is a lovely shotgun - I might need one for Christmas - and the instructor decided we knew what we were doing about three shots in when I'd starbursted each clay), we'd feel a tap on our foot and find Dottie had dropped the stick on your boot waiting for another throw. How can you resist that springer spaniel cuteness that so reminds you of Giacomo? Ahroo. Must. Chase. All. The. Things. AHROOOOO.
The afternoon hours we spent wandering the formal gardens, a different direction than the lake path we'd taken last night, diverting along all the forest paths and watching participants in the falconry school. Eventually, we went back to the castle and lingered in the lounge for drinks. The glass topped tables show off the various guns from the castle's collection, which greatly intrigued us, like a museum where they bring you fine cocktails.
We rounded out the day in formal style, retiring upstairs to change for dinner into full black tie because if a thing is worth doing it's worth overdoing. They do require coats in the dining room, but when we strode in, Roland in a tux and I in a little black dress, most of the patrons were skating by, collared shirt and sports coat. The waiters were quite enthused by our attire and when they looked up our booking I smiled at the maitre'd and said, wistfully, Oh I do hope it's the table by the window.
Why, yes, ma'am, we love to say yes. We were seated in a cozy nook with one other table, a couple from Canada celebrating their 8th anniversary. No one believed it was our twentieth. Roland's Dorian Grey powers and my fitness efforts make us look young.
The food was amazing. I ordered the chef's tasting menu which was superb. After, our waiter followed us out into the garden to take pictures of us and we lingered out there with the moon rising over the still daylit lake. The chill eventually motivated us back to the warm lounge where there were more drinks, lovely music entertaining and the staff smoothly brought us cake, "Happy Anniversary" written around the rim in chocolate.
We were floating when we finally wandered off to bed, hand in hand.