Return to America
We are back after 10 glorious days in Ireland. Most spent in Kenmare, County Kerry but we were so lucky to spend two fabulous days in Dingle. We traveled home arriving on Tuesday after an uneventful trip and found there was almost no way we could make it all the way back to North Hatley. Luckily we were able to stay at Katie’s in New Hampshire. That gave us just the right half way point. We both crashed by 8:30 thinking we would watch a little tv only to wake up at 3am with the tv still on! That’s crashing. Drove back the next day arriving to the full moon over our Lake Massawippi. Spectacular.
Casualty of Travel
The only casualty of the trip was an encounter with a suicidal turkey on 91 going 70 mph. Not the turkey but us. The turkey lost and so did our car’s grill. Ugh.
Unfortunately there is no insurance deductible forgiveness on hitting a turkey like there is if you hit a deer in Canada. Even plastic costs a lot.
We jumped right back in to life the next day with the arrival of the power washing and window cleaning crew. Two days later the house sparkled. In addition, people came for the furniture we were donating to the church and the fur crowd had a date with the coiffure. See for yourself how great they look.
So why did I mention Vermont?
Well it’s because we needed a get away to recover from our holiday. John had promised that since we had given up our house in South Carolina for the winter that he would make sure we had fun so he booked us a trip to Manchester, Vermont to stay at The Equinox a place I had always wanted to see and stay at. Time being of the essence we needed to go before the end of April. So here we are.
Getting back on Track!
Nothing like putting on a pair of slacks that you love and finding yourself feeling like a stuffed sausage. Eating in restaurants and not walking my usual 4 to 5 miles a day over hill and dale, and despite good intentions, I find that a few pounds have crept back on. So I am recommitting myself to eating healthy and getting back to exercise regularly. Always try to live by the 80/20 rule of eating and exercising in a nutritional and healthy way versus 20% being more relaxed. This winter has not been 80/20 so now
I pay the price.
We did go out to the best restaurant in Manchester (according to the Concierge) but I stuck to my rule of two appetizers in this case Caesar salad and delicious and beautifully presented crab cakes.
This morning I got up and said I am going for my walk and discovered a set of wonderful walking trails in the Equinox Preserve. A very good hill to start then a meander through the woods. It made my heart sing to be out there. I walked for about and hour and a half listening to the cardinals, blue jays and pileated woodpeckers calling to each other. Spring is here in Vermont so I know it will show up in Canada eventually.
This picture is of the Equinox pond and you can see a light bit of green coming on the hillside behind the pond. Next time I am going to walk to the top of that hill. Katie? Margot? Hadley?
So reentry hasn’t been too rough. Feeling good, motivated and ready for spring. May is my favorite month despite having the scare last year but I won’t let that stop me from enjoying the month and celebrating a birthday and an anniversary of sorts.
Have a wonderful week. Our granddaughter is coming for her school vacation and we have some fun plans.