Kate's Garden Kitchen

Today we had a sumptuous Irish continental breakfast at our Dublin hotel, took a taxi to the train station and then had a three-hour train ride to Cork. The Irish, and perhaps all of Europe, know how to do trains. The trip flew by on a fast, clean, smooth train. The countryside was dotted periodically with beautiful old church and building ruins that flashed by with no notoriety, no mention. They were simply a part of the rural landscape, along with so many, many cows and sheep.

We arrived in Kinsale on the southern coast, and were transported up a winding hill on extremely narrow cobble streets to Tara cottage on the harbor. Our host greeted us with fresh scones, butter and jam and a pot of tea. After reconnaissance of supplies in the cottage, we walked into town for a bite to eat at the Spaniard Inn, another old pub. Delicious fresh wild mushroom soup and Irish brown bread along with an Irish stout. I don’t know who the Spaniard is but he’s certainly serious looking. I need to do a little research.

Then a trip to the market. Or rather markets. Each one had some things, none had all things we needed. But the shopkeepers were a delight, and quite willing to make suggestions on the best Irish goods. We bought fresh Irish butter and cream, free-range eggs, fruits, Irish potatoes of course, and freshly baked brown bread. I must show some restraint or I may exceed the pound limit for the flight home.

The most remarkable parts of our walk were the flowers everywhere, even in October. Window boxes filled with heather, fuchsias growing in the woods, geraniums in pots on a wall. And the climate is mild enough for palms.

Tomorrow, we’ll seek out a cozy cafe for breakfast/lunch, and then explore this lovely little town (we’ve already spotted about ten places we want to revisit.