Armagh

What a wonderful joy, to see our dear friends John and Barbara Hall and Marion Starratt again after only seeing them in Australia last year.   We shared a great meal together, took a tour around the veggie patch, (Jona, you've got some competition - John and Barbara's is fabulous).....

took a short stroll along another country lane to Jonathan and Wendy's house for a quick visit.  Had enough time to enjoy the magnificent view out the back of their property

before leaving for Marion's house in town.

Had a cruise around this lovely, spaciously laid-out town in the morning, before meeting Marion for lunch.  There is a very picturesque cricket ground here.  

The  cricket ground is the green patch in  front of the  church.

Bet you didn't know that the Irish played cricket, been at it for over 150 years.  Made use of the wifi at the library before heading back to Marion's.  John shared dinner with us before Heather (another sister) came to say 'hello'.

We said goodbye to Marion in the morning

and headed back to Cavan for our last night in Ireland.

We called into Monaghan.  The locals say it's a great place to shop, it's certainly another well laid out town, not the long, long street like some.

The beautiful floral displays continue

I loved the way the street curves, it draws you to see what's round the bend, and the different colours in the buildings make the town so lovely.  We enjoyed our visit to Monaghan even if we didn't take advantage of the great shopping opportunity. 

We walked around the lake in the centre of town before we left,  which  was a restful spot, with lots of duck waiting for a fed. 

Back in an  Caibhain  (Allan enjoyed calling Cavan by the Gaelic name),  it  was wonderful to see all Howard and Catherine's family one last time,  before we leave Ireland.  We have had some wonderful times together, we've laughed a lot!

Allan got to see the silage brought into the storage pit.  John bringing in a load 

This tractor drives back and forth to flatten the silage and press the air out of it.

The silage is 10 feet deep  and will be covered with black plastic and old tyres,  to preserve it for later use.  

Allan was disappointed to wake this morning and discover it  was raining before  the silage was able to be  covered.  Farmer Allan is finding it hard to leave but don't fear - the call of the grandchildren is heard in our land so Grandad will be home soon!  And he's bringing Granny with him....

And to finish off - a couple more quotes from Howard

"Leitrim people would steal the harness off a nightmare" .
"The scud at the butt of the lug".  Good luck figuring that one out...

We'll see you all in a wee while....😴😴