Creeslough

This week I was meant to go to America, first for a Florida break with my mom, then for a conference in NYC. The conference was canceled and a few weeks ago mom and I realised it might not be smart for either one of us to travel. So I canceled the flights and other reservations.

But having a getaway in mind meant I had a hard time settling into work this week. I took St. Paddy's Day off then worked Weds and Thurs. On Thursday I found out my friend Christine's place in Donegal was available. Spur of the moment I decided to bugger off to Donegal for four days. Friday morning I drove north nearly three hours--grinning almost the whole trip like an idiot--and dropped everything off at the house. Then Paddy and I did a loop hike near Horn Head, first through a forest then through high dunes. Here is a view looking back to Dunfanaghy.

Here are some high dunes.

Pony trekking is big in Dunfanaghy in the summer time. In the winter, the horses roam the dunes.

This is what I call herd immunity.

It was an absolutely gorgeous day. I couldn't stop grinning. Here's Tory Island in the distance.

And here is Tra More beach near Dunfanaghy. How gorgeous is that?

Paddy was so happy. He swam in small lakes among the high dunes then in the ocean. Nothing to clear your head like a pristine beach and a happy happy puppy.

I love patterns in sand. As I love patterns in rock and in wood. The Ultimate Art.

The Ultimate Dog.

Still grinning like an idiot. I took a selfie on the hike back through the dunes and the phone camera said Happiness Index: 90%. I thought that was hilarious, which probably took me to 100%.

Yonder is Muckish Mountain.

It was a good day. We went back to the house, I made a tasty Indonesian rice dish (courtesy of Simply Cook). Read my book, went to bed. My steering committee met on 12 March and will meet twice next week--each meeting triggers a lot of work for yours truly. So I was primed for this time in lovely Donegal.

20 March