last week on the farm

Time for my monthly blog update. Its not Kelly again...
Tomorrow is our last day on the farm and I can not believe we have been here a month. As Kelly has already expressed, this farming experience was much different than us working at the shop in Cork; waking up early and working hard all day long outside. We have really enjoyed the family and the farm and it will take some adjusting to get out of our daily routine, but I know we are both itching for some more traveling and are ready to move on. Our plans for the next week include traveling to Belfast then Glasgow and Edinburgh in Scotland.

Now for a little update on the past week and a bit. Last weekend we went to Wicklow National Park. For those chick flick fanatics, it is where they filmed PS, I Love You starring Gerrard Butler and Hilary Swank ( legit one of my favorite movies. so good. go see it if you haven't). I was obviously obsessed with this fact, and the whole time picturing being in that movie, or at least meeting myself a Gerrard Butler. We left on the Friday and stayed until Sunday at a hostel in Glendalough. Glendalough is one of the main towns in the park even though it consisted of a hotel/restaurant/bar and hostel. We spent the day on Saturday hiking through the park and even though the forecast called for thunderstorms it was a beautiful sunny day. I don't know if Kelly has told you, our luck with weather has been incredible. It is ALWAYS sunny when we need it to be ( i.e. taking a day trip), always defying the forecast. Ireland likes us :)

Saturday night we went to a restaurant in the next town ( 15 min walk away) and had a nice little dinner date. It was here that it became apparent we have absolutely nothing to talk about, that we have been spending way to much time together to remotely attempt any conversation. Our conversation went as follows: " How is your food?" "good, wanna try?" "Sure...oh its good...wanna try mine?" "No thanks." and we were sitting for almost two hours. no joke. After dinner we just hung out at the hostel watching movies, which is something we have been craving, so that was nice. On Sunday, we got up and left, stopping off in Dublin for a few hours before coming back to the farm. Monday we lounged and rested before another week of work.

The week went by as per usual...weeding, picking raspberries, harvesting onions, garlic and peas.

This weekend we decided to have a last hurrah in Dublin. We arrived on Friday to Emer's house and just hung out and caught up on the past 3 weeks. Saturday we walked around the city, got coffee and food and sat by St Stephens Green. We then went to Emer's friends bbq/party which was lots of fun. We met a bunch of her university friends and spent the night listening to music, drinking and chatting.
On Sunday the girls ( Emer and Aibhe) went to a music festival but we decided not to join, but instead hang out ( we are often very tired after the long weeks of work)...however our plans changed. As we were sitting outside on a bench in our Pajamas ( well, I was ACTUALLY in my pjs...we were only down the road from Emers house and just left to get a quick coffee) a friendly dude came and sat next to us. We ended up chatting and he invited us to this boat party. We didn't have time to change as it was leaving but still, Kelly and I spur of the moment decided to go. I am so happy we did because it was easily one of the funnest days of our whole trip yet! We spent the afternoon ( again BEAUTIFUL and sunny) outside on a boat, dancing and making new friends. After we joined our new friends and went to this really cool bar. We eventually got back to Emer's around the same time we did and hung out for a bit reviewing our days before bed.
Monday was sad as we had to say goodbye to Emer and Ailbhe for good :( :( ....well until they come to Canada :). after our Goodbyes we got the bus back to the farm.

This week has been the same ol routine except Wednesday we got the opportunity to go on a Farm Walk. This is basically when farms open up for an open house/tour sorta thing. One of the farm owners educated us on what we were seeing as we were walking by as people asked questions and made comments. It is a really great way for farmers to share information and learn from one another. It was also very interesting for us to see a different farm, one that was 10 times the size and very different than Moyleabbeys ( where we are working now).

Anyway, I think that is all for now. Hopefully this post will suffice until next time ( probs in August at some point). xo