by

6 July 2016

Today it was raining when I woke up.  The weather report suggested breaks in the rain, so after the children’s shows ended on TG4 we started our day at Siopa Mhicí.  We got our groceries and some supplies for building sand castles.  Today the girl at the check-out used no Irish, not even “Go raibh maith agat.” or “Slán.”

Our plan was for the girls to get the groceries and the boys to have a look at Teach Thomais (a local book shop), but Teach Thomais had a “Druidte” sign up in the door so Liam and I ended up joining Sarah and Fionnuala.  As we were pulling away from the book shop the car indicated that the Engine Oil level was low.  So, after we finished grocery shopping and eating lunch at the house I phoned Avis to see what they advised.

I had trouble with my phone, but finally got through to Avis and they told me to take it in to a local garage, so off I went.   I stopped at the closest service station to our house but they only sold fuel and suggested that I head to Mhicí’s.  The attendant at the fuel pumps was happy to help, but was very young.  Together we worked our way through the process and the car was content.  By this point the rain had stopped and the children were clamoring for the beach.

We loaded ourselves back into the car just in time for it to start raining again.  I decided to head in the direction that had the lightest sky which happened to be to the south.  Our intended destination was An Clochán Liath, but when we got there it was still raining with no indication that it would stop.  Fionnuala said that she didn’t care if it was raining if we went to the beach, so off we headed to Carrickfin.

I had only ever seen this beach from the air as I landed at Donegal Airport.  Each time I saw it I thought that it looked incredible.  Today I saw it up close for the first time and it was incredible.  Carrickfin is a blue flag beach and in the small car park (which is next to the airport runway) are two portable toilets.  After a brief walk through the dunes a huge sandy beach opens up before you are surrounded by stunning scenery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even in the on and off rain this place was beautiful.  After constructing sand castle with our new tools for awhile, the children were cold and had to use the toilet so we returned to the car.  Once everyone’s needs had been addressed we headed back to the house for hot chocolate, TG4 and supper.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gaeilge Experience:  The same as the last few days (except Liam and I heard another father and son speaking Irish in the shop).  To be fair to all involved though, I chickened out and did not attempt to use Irish at either service station because I thought it was not a situation where there was room for any miscommunication.

by