Our time is drawing to a close in Galway. It’s been different living in suburbia and it has confirmed that we are definitely country types! We have wandered through some of the housing estates nearby and it’s fascinating. The one next to us is quite flash. Each building contains between 2 and 6 apartments and is built around an open central square containing garden areas and a playground. This seems to be the norm. You can only enter via a single driveway so it is quite secluded. Like a little village. Our estate is a bit more basic, though built to the same plan. It is very busy at the moment being school holidays. I guess it could be quite a social environment to grow up in. Still, not our cup of tea!
We have walked into the city a couple of times. Once via the sea shore and once through the streets. Both really interesting. Many of the terraced houses near the city are divided by different colours. Gives each house its own identity – the owners can make a statement! Looks good. The large city square has been busy each time we have been there. Lots of people sitting on seats and on the lawns, children running about. All the buses drop off and pick up there, lots of taxis waiting for a fare, and most of the shopping streets – cobble stoned and full of character – run off of it or are near it. Had a great meal at a traditional pub in the city – heaps of wood.
The grocery prices are still a shock – you keep wondering how the local people cope. Their wages are certainly not high enough to compensate. We have lots of soups and are finding other inventive ways of cheaply feeding ourselves. Meat in particular is very expensive! On the positive Galway Bay is a beautiful place to be. Lovely views on the walk into the city. Little inlets and headlands near us – great to explore.
We have found a local!!!! The ‘Tom Sheridan’ – a pub tucked away in the side streets. Lots of wood again, warm colours, different levels with little landings, each with a couple of tables. A lovely cozy feel. We had a meal there on Tuesday night, watched some soccer with the locals, and had a good time. The place was packed.
We will miss out charges – Rosie and Malachay. Rosie is a Dalmatian and full of mischief. I’m not quite sure what Malachay is, but he’s little and very, very cute! We have become quite settled with them. Rosie continues to rip our arms out of their sockets when on the lead – thanks for your tips Gill – we have tried but with little improvement. Apparently Dalmatians are notorious for doing their own thing and unfortunately she gets limited walks these days. She does enjoy retrieving one of her rubber toys in the back yard. The yard is small with a 7 ft high brick fence around it. The toy bounces of the walls at a great rate and she is becoming very good at chasing it down and bringing it back to us. This is making up for the lack of walks. Your arms can only take so much!
We haven’t had a car with this house sit, so have used the bus and done heaps of walking. One of the photos I have included is of Reg on his bike getting ready to ride down to the supermarket. We decided we needed some meat for tea and too bad about the price. You can only survive on soup for so long!
Lots of love
Di and Reg