A Small Slice of Life

 I've mentioned before that I really enjoy the bus rides we go on here, especially the ride between here and Gortahork--we take narrow rural roads, whether we're on the smaller Local Link bus or one of the larger buses. Each one takes a different road and each has different scenery. I'm developing favorite parts of each route. I find these rides so relaxing. Since we've been back, I've realized how much I missed the rocks, hills, views of the sea, and simply riding through some very, very rural areas. It's not that we weren't rural before, but this is a different level--as one friend said, 'You're in the back of beyond now.'  The other day we were on the Local Link. 

At this time of year, people are taking advantage of every dry day to get their turf cut, dried, home, and covered before the next rain arrives.

He was slow and as you can see, passing wasn't really an option for a while so best to just enjoy the ride without worrying too much about how fast the destination will be reached. Eventually there was a spot for the tractor guy to move over and the bus driver to pass. Shortly after we did that, we passed a small cottage with another tractor and trailer full of turf parked out front. People do light their open fires all year long, but they'll also want to get ready for winter. The wind can be fierce in this region as it blows off the ocean.

The sky was pretty typical of the sort we've been experiencing lately. I love a grey sky with puffy clouds--like a piece of abstract art. In spite of the clouds, we haven't really had much rain for a few days. This is apparently about to change as Storm Floris arrives, bringing unseasonably high winds and lots of rain.

Earlier in the week, we were in Letterkenny with a bit of time before we had to look out for our bus home. This means a visit to the charity shop. I don't know when they opened the one right next to the bus stop, but it was a genius move. It was a good book day. Bill got a bunch and I picked up 3 classics.

I'm always thrilled to find classics, especially the black Wordsworth Editions. I find they have excellent introductions (which should always be read after reading the book due to spoilers).

I've read Pride and Prejudice and to be honest, it's not my favorite Austen. But they had two copies of this and we had 9 books, so I would've been charged €2 whether I got the 10th one or not (the books there are priced at 5 for €1). I decided to give it another shot. I'm wondering if I'm just ornery and have an aversion to it because so many people are quite wild about it. I'll read it again and find out. I don't think I've read the Sherlock Holmes novels, although I've listened to radio dramatizations. I'll be interested to read these and the introduction. And I've never read Dracula or seen the movie the cover image is taken from. I think I did see Abbott and Costello Meet Dracula when I was a child, but that's about it.

One of the things I love about this cottage is the kitchen. I have so much counter space! It used to be that I kept my large slow cooker in a cupboard and when I wanted to use it, I had to move other things around to make space for it on the counter near a plug. Then it would be in the way, so I mostly used it overnight. Now it has a dedicated space on the counter away from the area where I do most of my work and it's within reach of a plug that I don't need to use for anything else. I can put supper ingredients in there in the morning and by suppertime, the meal is finished. Yesterday morning, I put in a whole chicken and some chunks of potato, onion, and carrot, turned it on high and 8 hours later, we had supper. 

Of course, there was leftover veg and plenty of chicken--I usually get 4 meals for both of us out of a whole chicken of this size. I add a small amount of water at the start and as things cook, a nice broth is also created. I pour this in a jar and usually use it for soup or gravy. This is the only way I've cooked whole chickens for years. For one thing, it's an energy efficient way to cook--it would take eons in the ovens I've had here, but I was doing it this way even before we came to Ireland. It comes out beautifully--falls off the bone and because it's not a dry heat, the chicken and veg do not dry out. I do like roasted veg, but this is a nice way to have them, too. 

So that's a random slice of my life lately--quiet, peaceful, and full of gratitude. It's a holiday weekend here, so of course rain is in the forecast and a potentially disruptive storm. I'll have all the rechargeable lamps, my e-reader, and my mp3 player charged up and ready. 

I hope August has been treating you well so far!

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