Hello. So I arrived in Ireland last night...I got to the house in Unionhall at 9 pm. Sarah's dad, Tony, picked me up at the airport. I was wondering if he knew what I looked like (and what he looked like). The most perfect gentlemen was looking around and I could just tell it was him. He took a look at me and I said, "Tony???"...he was like "YESSS!! And you are Ashley? WONDERRFULLLLL!!!" He gave me a big hug and the natural you are in Europe kiss on the cheek. The hour drive from Cork to Unionhall we talked about where I was from, he was from, where we have been, where we want to go...he took me on the scenic route through the villages. He is flying to Austria next week with his wife Judy to go skiing. He's scared he said...he hasn't been skiing in 5 years. His family, the family I'll become a part of, owns a farm here in Unionhall. The farm grows fruit (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, apples...). They just got 5 chickens so all of the eggs are fresh. They have 2 horses, kayaks, bikes. He asked me if I liked the outdoors...and I LOVE the outdoors...he said I could use his kayak and go for a stroll on the coast around the 3 finger peninsulas. He said I can also borrow the bike for strolls in the countryside. I am so excited!!!
When I arrived at the house I got a warm welcome from the oldest girl, Rachel, who is 4 years old. She is beautiful!!! Oh my gosh...she's gonna be a looker :) The father, Rory, is really nice! After we put Rachel to bed we sat up and watched t.v. and talked about everything. I told him I was starving...he goes, "Do you like salmon?" I told him how my whole family is from Alaska and it's a sin to NOT like salmon. So he pulled some fresh smoked salmon out of the fridge, a tub of butter and some bread. I made butter and smoked salmon sandwiches...and may I just say that those were wonderful!!!! We sat and watched Italy vs. Chelsea football (soccer). He told me that everyone here drinks and to not be shy about that!!! We even talked about the green stuff if you know what I mean. He said him and his wife, Sarah, have been to Amsterdamn twice. I asked them if they remembered it. Haha...I have NO filter. Seriously. He said to watch out in the village...that everyone wants to know everyone else's business. He told me if I got too drunk and acted a fool that everyone would know about it within the day. Then I just HAD to go to bed. I got about 2 hours of sleep from LA to London...but that's about it in the past 2 days. I went upstairs and put a good deal of clothes up, took a shower...then I passed out after reading a few good chapters of my new book: Stern Men by Elizabeth Gilbert. My bedroom AND this house is absolutely beautiful. Modern design...my bedroom has a really cool painting in it! Candles, too. I set up my picture Rebecca drew for me right next to my bed.
Rachel woke me up this morning...the grandmother, Judy, is taking care of them for the day so that I can get settled here. They are out and about right now. Pretty much I help out with the kids and the house. I walk Rachel to school in the village every morning...then take the youngest, Kate, out for a walk whenever I care to. They drive on the opposite side of the road here...and I get to use their car so I need to get used to that! It's a stick shift, as well...Nick taught me how to drive a stick in Birmingham once...but that was 2-3 years ago. Rory is going to teach me, he said. When Tony picked me up from the airport I go to sit in the car and I open up what I thought to be the passenger side...then he looks at me and goes "are you going to drive?". Haha. The whole steering wheel being on the other side was just too strange.
Going to go now....I am going to finish packing my room and then I am going to maybe even take a nap. I have got to transition into this time zone. It may take a few weeks. Bye!!!!!!!!!
