Today was Patte and Mike’s 48th anniversary! On our way down to breakfast, Mike commented to the young girl who checked us in yesterday, “Can you even imagine being married for 48 years?” Her response (I kid you not) was none other than “No! I can’t even imagine being alive for 48 years!” We about died laughing! 🤣🤣🤣
John went down before us to have coffee with an old business associate, Rainer. (He forgot to take a photo!) After his coffee and our breakfast (which was AMAZING for a B & B) we set out walking to the University of Galway. The campus was quiet, since it was summer break, but it was neat to roam around and look at the beautiful ivy-covered buildings.
We were amazed to read the headline in today’s paper. Apparently, throughout Europe, everyone is panicking because of the unheard of scorching temps! Even our tour guide last night said he was “suffering” in the heat. It was in the low 70’s for goodness sakes! London has reported temps in the low 90’s and they’ve cancelled classes for “extreme” heat! Apparently the great weather we have been experiencing is nothing short of an oddity around here! (And we are LOVING it!)
This coffee machine caught our eyes this morning, prominently placed next to the book store
(er, gift shop). The university obviously has a problem with students falling asleep during classes!
The Galway Cathedral was the next iconic building we passed on our walk this morning, however, it was closed due to a service being held. (No worries, we hit it again later! 🤪)
John and I stepped into St. Francis of Assisi, to take a quick look. It was a beautiful church!
We passed by a fabulous flower shop—I wanted every single thing they had for sale! Churches are John’s thing; flowers (and all things garden) are mine!)
Once we arrived in the center of town, Eyre Square, we searched and searched for the bus stop for the City Sightseeing Bus and found ourselves walking in circles. John and Mike were mighty proud when they finally figured it out!
The stop was located across the street from where our food tour started last night! (DUH!)
The tour began and we all were relieved when our live guide spoke beautiful English and we could understand every single word. She was a delight and gave us a wonderful overview of Galway! Back on Quay Street, (our favorite street in Galway), we meandered past several buskers, all very entertaining!
We decided on a pub, (that our food tour guide recommended) called Taaffes. We went inside, ordered our lunch, and were halfway finished with our meal when John said, “Wait a minute! This is where we were three years ago listening to the traditional Irish music!” He pulled up photos from our night there and, sure enough, he was right! We agreed to come back later that night and verified that Irish music would be played starting at 9:30PM!
Once on Quay Street again (the most amazing area ever), John and I walked back to the Galway Cathedral while Patte and Mike opted to Uber it back to our B & B.
We got to stroll along the River Corrib, the fastest-flowing city river in Europe! Judy and Lisa, my kayak buddies, would NOT want to go kayaking down this river! (We already share a bit of PTSD from a previous, near disaster trip down a high, fast moving river!) But it was certainly nice to walk beside!
Back at Galway Cathedral, we walked all around the inside taking in all if its’ beauty. It truly was a magnificent cathedral. Interestingly enough, it only looks old. It was actually built in the 60’s!
Our guide, earlier in the day, told us that JFKennedy’s likeness was included in a mosaic in the church. Apparently, the people of Galway fell in love with him, the first Irish-Catholic President, after his visit in the 60’s. I googles it, found what we needed to look for, and it didn’t take long to find it!
Mike made reservations at a restaurant called O’Grady’s On The Pier for their special anniversary dinner. Located on Galway Bay, the restaurant had amazing views of not only the water but the mountains as well! (Sorry for all the photos, but we had to document this momentous occasion!)
Happy 48 years, Patte and Mike! So glad we got to celebrate with you!
Once back at the ranch, John and I decided to stay put instead of heading back into town to wait an hour and a half for the Irish music to start. (I hope we don’t regret this!) The four of us sat outside our little
B & B, and enjoyed another drink before heading back to our tiny rooms for the night! It’s going to be a BIG day tomorrow when John does something he has sworn he would NEVER do!
Good Night, Galway!
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