This times last month we were on our holidays..
If you've met me or stumbled across my Facebook feed you'll know I love Donegal. When I was young my granny used to book a house by the beach at Portnoo and everyone used to pile down for one glorious week during the summer. It was an old house with a miss match of double beds, single beds and sofa beds in a variety of rooms. Someone new would arrive every day and the tiny kitchen was full of granny, my mum and my aunties tee-hee-ing and laughing while cooking up the dinner. You were lucky if you managed to keep the same bed 2 nights in a row and it rained 90% of the time but they were really happy holidays!
Now my mum and dad book a house each year in Dunfanaghy. It too is gathering a crowd of regulars who join us for a couple of days. As a parent I loved seeing Joel enjoying what I used to love. From the moment he woke he would be pulling on the back door to go outside to play and explore. He would play with my cousins, potter with his bucket and spade, go on walks to see animals and dig on the beach until he'd collapse rosy-cheeked, ready for bed. I loved seeing him spend time with lots of family and being soothed to sleep by my granny singing to him the wee songs she used to sing to me...
My Aunt Jane she called me in
She gave me tea out of her wee tin
Half a bap with sugar on top
Three black balls from her wee shop
My Aunt Jane she's awful smart
She baked 10p in her apple tart
When then halloween comes round
Beside that tart I'm always found
Phil has fallen in love with Donegal too and each year we fantasise about winning the lottery and the big holiday home we would buy there with our winnings. So I know its not just me, everyone loves a bit of Donegal, and heres why..
Beautiful deserted beaches...
Not a sinner in sight.
Stunning scenery...
Staring into the Atlantic from the tip of Ireland. I could be wrong in my geography but I'm pretty sure if you had super dooper strength binoculars the next piece of land you would be able to see would be America.
Outdoor fun....
We were very lucky with the weather this year and were able to go to the beach without a jumper! But rain or shine, welly boots or sandals, Joel could be found exploring the beach
There was a field next to the house full of sheep that Joel liked to visit and baa at. This picture was taken at an outdoor centre. More of a run down 'Father Ted' affair. We paid our £4 in, briefly looked around and then swiftly left. Don't think we'll be back next year. Do any of you recognise this place from the picture?
6am rock pooling. When in Rome, eh?
Joel visited the local stables most mornings to see the horses getting their breakfast. He's too little to get on a hose this year but he was just as happy to watch..
Family friendly ...
Making sandcastles with granny Jo, great-aunt Emma and my wee cousins.
Exploring the dunes with my cousins, the location where he subsequently met his summer love Amber.
Discovering a hairy caterpillar on the beach with granny Jo. Pretty much his holiday highlight.
Swinging with daddy.
Sitting and enjoying the view while granda took some photos.
Nutella pizza...
Ok, so nutella pizza isn't something you would associate with Dunfanaghy traditionally but we went for dinner in a place called The Rusty Oven this year. It does amazing pizza and you can sit outside practically on the beach to eat it. There was a surf school in getting a meal and they were served nutella pizza's as dessert. They looked so good we had to try so we got one to take away to bring back to the house for everyone to try. Lovely stuff!
Good views, fresh air, family and fun. Total relaxation, a Donegal break is definitely good for the soul. Just wish it wasn't so long until our next break..
No comments:
Post a Comment