Inisheer graveyard, overlooking the jetty.
I have to say that I did not have a single bad meal while I
was in Ireland. Two or three that were unmemorable,
but none that were bad.
We spent two days/nights on Inisheer, where everything
has to be hauled over by ferry or plane from the mainland. Breakfasts were a choice between healthy
options like yogurt, fruit and porridge/cereal or the “full Irish” – eggs,
potatoes, grilled tomato, grilled mushrooms, three kinds of toast, bangers, Irish bacon which should not be confused with American-style bacon, and white or black “puddings” (aka blutwurst. I tried it. Once).
I found that eating a full Irish kept me from getting hungry again until
about 4pm, which was unfortunate given the quality and quantity of the lunches.
These consisted of different potato-based puree’d vegetable soups and amazing
sandwiches. Maybe they were amazing
because of the butter, which in Ireland is unbelievably good -- threats of violence were made against those who took all the egg salad. There were always at least two kinds of cake
for dessert, along with fruit scones, cream and jam. Everything was freshly-made, un-fussy and
absolutely delicious.
Dinners were eaten at a small guesthouse whose proprietress runs a
cooking school. The first night we were
served a seafood casserole made with chunks of fish and prawns, cream and
buttered bread crumbs. Dishes of root
vegetables were passed separately, family-style. The second night’s main course featured local
(Galway) sausages.
I can't believe I only took one photo of the food.
Our hostess/instructress’
husband is a burly retired Irish Army quartermaster sergeant. He is also the lunch cook. The kitchen/ prep area is open to the dining
area and he would lean against the counter with his massive arms folded, watching us swoon
over the food.
1st knitting tourist lady: Omygawd these sandwiches are unbelievable. Try the chicken.
2nd knitting tourist lady: Have you had the scones yet?
3rd knitting tourist lady: Quit hogging the cream.
4th knitting tourist lady: I would kill for another slice of that cake.
This culinary largesse may have contributed to some nervousness on our parts the third morning, when we had to fly off the island (in two batches, on a plane about the size of my front porch). The airport lady made all of us weigh in along with our luggage.
Knitting tourist lady from California: (aghast) She's weighing us?
Me: Yes, but look -- she's just writing it down, she's not announcing it.
Knitting tourist lady from California: Good, because I'm wearing heavy shoes.
(Edited to add some photos. Click on any one to enlarge).
4 comments:
It's always the shoes. Actually, I'd take out my upper plate if I thought it would help when I get on the scale. Now, The Squire's shoes weigh 5 pounds, without the braces, so with him it IS the shoes!
So glad you had a good time. I wonder what they do with vegetarians, though?
When I registered for the tour I got a nice email from the Irish Tourism Board asking me if I had any dietary restrictions.
Ah this brought back lovely memories of my trip to Ireland. yes, the butter is heavenly. As for the flight - be glad you took it as my ferry boat trip out to Innish More was supposed to take an hour, took 2 due to 12'swells. Not a good thing when one is motion sick and the medicine wore off...I truly was nine shades of green. But I do understand the horror of being weighed in public for a flight.
Lady Anne - vegetarians would get a ton of taters, greens and eggs. Or be like my sister and snarf ALL the bread, butter, cream and scones.
And you came home? Just reading, I'm hungry. There's nothing like simple food, expertly made from fresh ingredients. Oh, for some of my great aunt's creamed carrots straight from the garden with cream fresh from the milk house.
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