101. Knocknamota - Ireland - House and Pet Sitting - Episode 27

 A 1-hour drive north got us to our next sit in an area called 'Knocknamota' which is in county Wexford in eastern Ireland. The area is beautiful and the property we are staying at is a rural small acreage with a 5-bedroom house. Niamh, (pron. 'Neeve') Paul, and their two homeschooled kids welcomed is with Irish charm and warmth. The pets, Sammy and Chickpea, have gentle natures and took to us immediately. A quick rundown and the family headed off to catch a plane to Spain.

                                  Sammy                                                                      Chickpea

The house.

It was a bonus to meet like-minded souls. When they returned from their holiday, we could have stayed there for a week chatting about the importance of growing organic food, simpler sustainable lifestyles and natural healing. And they were just a few topics we covered. 

Being impartial to cats in general, Chickpea has been my favourite to date.

The garden beds and a greenhouse in the front yard were a little overgrown as they were hindered by a wet winter and spring. Having warm dry weather while we were there allowed me to get my hands dirty and get the beds and greenhouse ready for a summer planting.

A 5km beach near Wexford. The long wide beach and the weather reminded us of the Sunshine Coast. Notice the short-sleeved polo top.

The town of Gorey is fairly typical of towns in the southeast of Ireland. It had the basics and not much more. The locals I spoke to said we would really enjoy the southwest so we're looking forward to heading that way. 

 European elections are coming up in early June and how times have changed (for the better). Thirty-four years ago, when I was in Ireland, Sinn Fein was referred to as the political arm of the IRA and at that time, the situation was literally explosive. On one occasion I was searched at gunpoint by British soldiers.

Time to move on as we have sits taking us through to the 24th of June. We are taking advantage of those 4 unfilled days and have booked an Airbnb on the West Coast. But for now, we are making our way west starting with a 2-day sit in a town near Cork. By the way, the above is the Irish spelling of the name "O'Sullivan".