I'm still appreciating all the hydrangea varieties that grow here :)Cruinniu na mBad
"Gathering of the Boats" Festival
Kinvara, August 21
Daniel left this morning, so he missed the boat festival. I took the kids on my own. It was relaxing to sit and watch the boats all afternoon.Galway's traditional sailing boats, featured on the city's coat of arms, were known as pucans and gleotogs - 'hookers' in English. They were developed for the strong seas off Ireland's West coast. Galway Hookers have broad black hulls (being coated in pitch), thick masts, and usually white or rust-colored sails. There are four size-ranges. The largest were used for hauling turf (peat) to be used as fuel across Galway Bay from Connemara and County Mayo to the Aran Islands and the Burren. The boats often brought limestone on the return journeys, to neutralize the acid soils of Connemara and Mayo. The smaller hookers were used for fishing and carrying cargo. When the Irish settlers in Boston, MA needed fishing boats, they built the hooker they knew from home. These boats became known as Boston Hookers, Irish Cutters in official reports, or Paddy Boats. (Info from Wikipedia)
Kinvara fishing village.
This little dinghy came into the harbor "super fast" using Aaron's description, made a hairpin turn, and zipped right out again. It was a windy day - great for speed!
The first turf boat arrived from Connemara. 
Loaded with peat.
The second turf boat.
Unloading the peat.
Such a peaceful way to spend a Saturday. And then we got rained on.
Bed head after naptime. Must have been a crazy dream!
We tried to get the swans to come up to us so we could feed them. They came as far as the edge of the water. I tried, but couldn't throw the bread that far into the wind. They weren't interested in coming on land for it.
The boys were a little disappointed.
We spent the better part of Tuesday at Turoe Pet Farm.First a couple hours in the Inflatable City.
Sorry Sweetie, you really are missing out big time!
A couple hours making our way around the pet farm feeding the animals.
"EEEWwww!"
It started pouring rain. Aaron ran to catch up to me and Moriah taking cover under a tree. Silas continued at his pace - that of an injured turtle who makes frequent stops to gather handfuls of pebbles. He didn't mind being wet and cold I guess.
I found a better shelter for her while the boys played.
Another hour-and-a-half in the Inflatable City - that's Silas on the "ginormous" slide -and we had made it half-way through our week without Daddy.
We got together with friends from church a few times too - we managed well and had a lot of fun, though we all missed Daddy very much and were glad to get him back on Friday night!
