Relaxation, Recuperation & Revision

Hello all, it has been a while since we last spoke and so I felt the need to post up a little update on life's progress of late. I have currently returned to Ireland for the Easter break, leaving my beloved boy behind in Wales whilst I have flown off to spend some much sought-after time with my family.

 

 I flew back early on Easter Sunday, arriving back just in time for a lovely Sunday Roast whipped up by my uncle for us all, before I joined my younger siblings for a good old Easter Egg Hunt out in the sunshine of my cousins' garden. At nearly 22 years of age I can add that you are never too old to find a chocolate egg gifted to you from those you love.

 

Whilst it has been nice to have a little recuperation over the past few days, it is now time to get back to the business of looming university deadlines. Whilst I want to enjoy my stay at home, the work won't go away and so I need to keep a level-head about how much time to deliver to each.

 

 On Easter Monday I made a great escape from the hustle and bustle of the buzzing seaside resort and made the drive south of the border to the wilds of rural Ireland and the mountainess regions of County Donegal. It all started with a small helping of a traditional Ulster Fry-up on the road, before a drive towards Derry where we crossed the border and hit-up an old-style American diner at the road-side for a morning coffee. However I opted for the sweeter option of a hot-chocolate with marshmallows and cream. Then we continued our drive along the Wild Atlantic Way, taking us along the scenic route through the mountains and hills of the northern-most region and then out along the rugged coastline that proves the jewel in the county's crown.

 

 We stopped for a bite to eat in a quaint little café, I browsed the craft shop across the road an tried to locate the dying art of the postcard which with regret proved unsuccessful. What's wrong with a good old fashioned picture-postcard via post!? Anyhow we then made toward the beach which to my surprise sat beyond expectation. A little rural fisherman's cottage adorned one end of the golden strand, whilst looking out into the water you caught the most stunning scenic views of the forest park located at the foothill of the valleys which surrounded the base of the over-looking mountain. It looked sublime. It honestly still surprises me how tropical this small isle can look against the surrounds of the often unforgiving Atlantic Ocean.

 

 Yesterday was a little more casual as I fired off a few work related emails and enjoyed a coffee with my mother in our hometown by the sea. It was nice to have a catch-up before I headed off again to spend an easy evening in-front of the TV for the remainder of the evening. I think I'd forgotten just how nice it could be to watch something spontaneously on an actual TV screen, as opposed to hunting down something on demand from my laptop when I find the time.

 

How have you been spending your Easter break? I hope regardless that you've all had hippy-hoppy Easter fun in some form!

 

Peace & Love til' next time.

New Term - New Plans

Hello all! I do apologise for the slight lack in posts this month, only starting back at uni has meant lots of assignments, deadlines and general busyness. However I'm going to take a little time aside to let you in on what I've been up to on my downtime.

 

Having stumbled across an Instagram post claiming that it was the last weekend to enjoy the cosy vicinity of the temporary, Apres Ski Lodge, I decided that it was a must-visit and coaxed the byf into joining me for a little tipple before dinner. It was pretty busy but we managed to catch a table beside the log-fire and contentedly sipped on our Prosecco whilst we chatted and giggled about surprise vacations, impromptu wedding talk (although we are certainly not planning on hearing bells of the sort anytime soon) and general daily nonsense, small-talk etc. Although small, the atmosphere was lovely and welcoming, banter was being had and drinks were enjoyed under roof of the wooden alpine themed chalet.

 

 

Slightly loved-up and a little high on the fizz, together we decided to treat ourselves and go all out and so went to dine in the gorgeous retro interior of The Cosy Club. With it being a weekend it was understandably busy and some waited for table whilst I was handed a little more Prosecco. The byf was being unusually frivolous and I had to question if the pair of us had gone crazy. However I wasn't going to deny it was quite wonderful even if the beverages were going ever so-slightly to my head. Dinner was wonderful, the food was completely scrumptious and the conversation was rife. All in all it was a delightful evening of spontaneity and I was ever so thankful for it!

 

Mid-week came about and the moral was running low and so after the byf had finished his exams we took swiftly into town and took shine to visiting the quaint Georgian Tearooms. Having graced through the square many times on a frequent basis, we've many times talked about going but never quite got round to actually stepping through the door. Luckily being mid-week and two weeks into term, the place was practically deserted and so we were seated to the lullaby of Celine Dion's infamous track from 'Titanic', ordered afternoon tea and took a step back into another temporary world where work should not stress one out. It proved a rather lovely afternoon treat.

 

 

Then the fortnight was topped off with a weekend road-trip into Wales, lunching out, browsing round markets, visiting friends, several trips to MacDonalds, country walks and beach-side strolls eating fish n' chips - it was a much needed break away from looming deadlines and academic stress, the weather held-out and whilst it was frosty it was sunny and I'm so grateful for so many little things.

 

 

 

Hope January is going well for you all,

 

Love & Peace - til' next time!