We’ve been driving, darlings, but I’m here to catch up! First thing you should know? Seventh Heaven. That’s the truth. MUSICA 🍀☘🍀
We’ve driven hill and dale through small villages . . .
and little country places all clean and windswept . . .
in WEATHER, because it’s wild over here right now, just like it is at home!
Lots and lots of rain . . . and wind . . .
And sometimes some pretty scary fog . . .
But Map Man has become such a good driver, despite the wrong side of the road and the wrong side of the car, there is no fear, much anyway, and onward we go! Cling to each other as rocks of gibraltar.
And no matter where . . .
. . . we go . . .
. . . the view is charming and sends your mind to the moon … think of that tree in the summer, what it must look like . . . see the bird at the top, and the lamb at the bottom . . . and those hedgerows? They’re growing on rock walls . . .
We drove across the Severn from England into Wales . . . where SO MUCH HAPPENED, but we will skip directly to our Girlfriend Carrie and her husband Stuart because we stopped to say hello . . .
Her darling new-to-her house by the side of the road . . . we had just pulled up, and they were outside waiting! Thank goodness for cell phones and GPS!
We went for a luv-lee walk to the top of a hill overlooking the village …
And those of you familiar with @CarrieHerself (on Twitter) will recognize her famous wonder-dog, Jack!
We could have walked and talked for days!
But I know what you want! You want to see Carrie’s house, right? I can do that, she told me so! Thank you Carrie! We both agreed, Petey fit right in!
Carrie’s adorable Beatrix Potter shelf. 💞
And the shelf in the bedroom she’d fixed up for us . . . I took this photo with my cell phone from the bed! You could stare at it for hours! So pretty, with sweet old books, pictures, and china.
We had tea in our jammies in the morning in very recognizable cups! This is one side of Carrie’s comfy kitchen . . .
And this is the other. Just love her colors, greens and blues, and daffodils! Notice fluffy white chick-magnet in basket on floor next to chair . . .
Here we are, up-close and personal with the chick magnet. 💞
A couple more photos . . . Here’s Carrie’s desk.
Every Welsh, English, and Irish family that lives in the country has mud in their everyday lives and needs one of these areas in their home. We brought our Wellies with us and even though they take up space, we are so happy we did! We keep them in the car so we have them when we need them. May not always be mud, but tall grass is WET! And walking is such a wonderful pastime. If your boots are rubber you can walk right into river water!
And this crooked little house is just down the street from Carrie. I think she could start a magazine of her adorable village (but mostly of her house) called An Eye for Details. She’s trying to retire from the B & B in Oxford that she runs with Stuart, but I keep thinking of new things for her to do. 😘
They were so good to us . . . but all too soon, as with every good thing, it had to end, and we had to go!
I needed to stop on our way to pay my respects to someone who helped to make life fun when I was young. It was very touching to be there. Miss her! When she died so suddenly it was like a light was turned off. She went home to the wind and the sky of Wales that made her.💞
Laura Ashley’s grave is next to a field ~ I walked over to take a photos of these cavorting lambs kicking up their heels, saying, Spring! Life begins again! Then again, back into the car we went . . . and on the road again . . . to
. . . the top west side corner of Wales (loving every bit of Wales, what a wonderful interesting place it is ~ More! More! More! I’ll show you in the book), to Holyhead to catch . . .
. . . the ferry to Ireland . . . 🍀
Across the famously fearsome Irish Sea we went . . . intrepid brave travelers that we are . . .
It became clear very soon that we were going to get lucky (I’m the canary in the coal mine), that the Irish Sea was going to treat us like the big babies we are . . .(I am) …
It was gentle sailing the entire three hour trip . . .
But just in cases, we were ready. You can have your own room on the ferry, for not a lot of money, if you aren’t sure and taking no chances, would rather be seasick in private. You give them your car keys, and they give you the key to a room . . .
Perfectly wonderfully comfortable, you can lie down. It even has TV and a shower should you feel so inclined! This ferry goes night and day, does even longer trips, some people commute on it, so this room could come in very handy.
Two lounges, a breakfast room, video games . . .
The good ship Epsilon goes places! Sails to France! Very tempting!
But we have a plan, and suddenly, thar she blows, our first glimpse of Ireland . . .☘ A place I’ve felt connected to from far away, a place we’ve always wanted to see. The first time for both of us.
The ferry lands about ten minutes from downtown Dublin . . . Joe set the GPS and boom, here we were.
In Dublin we met up with one of my oldest and dearest friends, Elaine (and Joe’s too ~ I met Elaine in California, she moved to the Island and worked with Joe at the Black Dog for a while). She flew in from California to hang around in Ireland with us (and help me celebrate my birthday in Dublin, which is what we proceeded to do) …. here we are at Trinity College. It was her first time in Ireland too, and she’s a Duffy and a Sullivan! 🍀
This is Elaine and me in the way-back machine, on a waterski weekend in California. You might remember Elaine from The Fairy Tale Girl … she hired me to work in the record department of Stereo West. (Fired me too! ⚡ But I deserved it so I forgive her!)
Here’s to old friends! All those years ago, who would have thought we’d be together in a pub in Dublin in 2018!?
And to add to the birthday joy of the moment, more darling friends, Rachel and Paul flew over from England to join us!
Paul, the proper English Gentleman . . . so cute!
Lowely and John sent birthday flowers to the hotel! Yes, verklempt! The card was all in “the Irish” (as John had requested), “Breithla Sona!” Happy Birthday! 
Of course, we did the “ring thing” at the restaurant on my birthday dessert. Everyone put their rings over my candle, and when I made a wish, they made one too, and when I blew out the candle, ALL our wishes came true. 💞 Then everyone had to suck the ice cream off their rings!
So Joe’s ring slipped out of his fingers and rolled into the restaurant, causing panic, everybody UP (I grab the camera!) … but we found it and all was well! It was, as they say in Ireland, “Graaand” ~ a perfectly lovely wonderful fun and funny evening in a very delicious restaurant called Peploes … I’ll put more photos in the book-to-come, I’m writing every day, but keeping up here is impossible, there is SO MUCH to tell you . . . Joe gave me the most perfect antique thing he found in Dublin, I painted it already, I’ll put it in the book! MAS MUSICA!
And then, because time just refuses to slow down, Rachel got back to the clamouring fans of her Sugar Moon Brownies 😋, Paul went back to his law office 📚, and for us it was off again, on our trek across Ireland to our new house on Galway Bay, with Elaine tucked into the front seat . . .
This was our first glimpse of our new Bayfield House, just turning into the driveway and already madly in love with it . . . and since then . . .
Our neighbor has moved his cows into our field . . . we can see them out the living room window right this very moment, but these two photos are from the car window as we were pulling into the driveway . . .
I love them so much. Bunch of moms and their babies, a family. 💞 Ireland, I have learned in just these few days, is a place that seeps into your heart a little at a time, the more you read, the more you know the history, the closer you feel to these wonderful people and everything that’s happened here. I’m writing every night and loving it. 
So right now, I have to stop, because Siobhan just arrived, and she, along with Elaine and Joe are looking at me, 👀 we have a reservation for dinner at a place just up the road. We are walking! Past the cows, and the rock walls, along Galway Bay! I have to go get ready. But what I’m going to do is come back later and add on. So read this, and then get ready for more later. Like a serial! XOXO
Here I am again! Drinking my tea in this quiet house with the huge picture windows, watching the brown cows and the magpies waking up outside, and beyond the green fields and rock walls, the tide coming in on Galway Bay. More photos? Oui! MASS MUSICA? (This was playing in our car BBC while we were driving hill and dale in the countryside, past all the lambs and daffodils and I’m still not over it and never will be!) 
As I’ve been saying, the hiking and walking-pub-tearoom life is a lifestyle here. It’s easy to walk from one town to the next over narrow ancient paths, and there is always a public house along the way, so you never have to worry about food, drink, facilities, and warmth.
Very often there’s a crackling fire you can cozy up to . . .
While you flirt with nearby dogs.
The food, btw, is SO GOOD with a focus on freshness and health. I have a theory … Maybe it’s because they had that horrible event with mad cow disease in the late 90s that was killing people and was so difficult to stop that they were finally forced put down an estimated 180,000 animals in the British countryside ~ it had to be a horrible life-imprinting/changing event for everyone. Even from far away, I saw what was happening and hurt for all those farmers and their country neighbors. I’m not sure if the fine quality of pub food now has anything to do with that, this is just my own take on it, but I remember when people used to disparage British cooking, and it makes sense, because no one could every do that now! I think everyone would have automatically been made hyper-aware that you are what you eat, and now, everywhere you go, even in what seems to be the middle of nowhere, the food is fresh and organic and locally sourced. Every ingredient is listed on the menus and we’re told it comes from such and such farm … every imaginable allergy is carefully watched over. Some menus are almost entirely gluten free! Unless you eat their yummy seeded homemade bread! But in most places, you can order gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free, vegan … any way you like it. 👍
So, yes, you walk and walk, then go sit in front of the fire and eat something wonderful . . .
And if you’re lucky, you’ll be in a pub with a view, and perhaps a little critter will come visit your window . . .
Could happen!
That view also included the cottage belonging to Doc Martin (of the much loved TV series) because we were in charming Port Isaac in Cornwall . . . the house is the smaller of the two grey-stone ones in this photo … we walked all over the hidden narrow paths between the whitewashed or stone cottages in this wonderful magical village by the sea.
I could really go on all day . . . but my people are waking up, they will be milling about soon and wanting me to move my hiney out of this chair. But before I go, you should know there are daffodils EVERYWHERE. Whole roads are lined with them. I keep asking myself, “Who does this?”
And then there are the castle gardens . . . with massively old trees . . . and more lovely sheep to keep the grass cut and tidy looking , like a huge park.
Look at the expression on that one “hiding” next to the tree!
I got to pet my first lamb! But I don’t think it’ll be my last!
This is an amazing little village in Wales called Beddgelert . . . go there if you can, it’s in the Snowdonia National Park and as sweet as pie.
We walked over the bridge to have dinner, and came back after dark without the slightest light to guide us . . . except for our handy “torch” (flashlight) . . . and the cold river rushing by and stars overhead.
It has been wonderful so far, and this is just the tip of the great big emerald-green iceberg. More to come!!! You know we still have our picnic in Beatrix Potter’s Garden! And our house in the Cotswolds! We’ve only just begun!
But here comes Mother’s Day! And before I went away I designed a new crown! I’m giving you plenty of time to make it ~ it’s a crown project! Isn’t it adorable? Kellee put this one together for us ~ You can make it either with or without the band at the bottom, and use it for any day!
Click HERE for the How-To directions and to print out these papers . . . because
And very soon our Mother’s Day cups will ship from England! At the end of this week!
ALL of them are shipping. They have to get over the pond to America, then go through customs, then be trucked to the Studio, and then, finally, to you . . . we will be shepherding them from here, cracking that whip, fingers crossed that they make it to everyone for Mother’s Day 🌷 . . . And thank you so much for your patience! I have them all here with us, and they turned out beautifully!
And now look! Not to drive you nuts, which I don’t mean to do, but with the lateness of the Springtime cups, we are running into a log jam. (And as Siobhan says from her peanut gallery over on the sofa, “But the good news is you can have two cups at once!” She doesn’t realize that our cups runneth over!) Anyway, this may be our last collection ~ I feel like I’m taking up too much of your cupboard space! Maybe I’ll do another one for next Christmas? We don’t get home until July 1 and I wanted to make sure our Summer cups were designed and ready to go before we left home. They sent me the first samples when we were in Cornwall. They should be shipping from England around May 20 and probably from us at the Studio around the 2nd week of June, if all goes as planned 😜. This means, for those of you collecting, we will have all four seasons! So here’s a closeup of what is coming:
The collection would not have been complete unless we had a God Bless America cup! So here we go! Fireworks, bunting, flags and all!
The back, “Of Thee I sing!” I photographed them all in the backyard of the Cornwall house on the vintage tablecloth I bought for the Picnic! Perfect timing.
Here’s the side, and the Statue of Liberty . . . btw, I picked the little flowers from the lawn.
Because even though we are traveling, cuteness matters!
Zee bottom, “Sea to Shining Sea.” And now . . .
SUMMER! (Will it ever really come?)
The Summer back, you can see the dog pulling the kite on the beach . . . This is the smaller 11 oz cup (like the other three seasons have been) as opposed to the rest of them which are large 16 oz cups. But they’re both that thin strong bone china we love.
Here’s SUMMER from the side so you can see the kite tail and read the rest of the quote…
And a little reminder while you’re drinking your tea to go play . . . they are not long the days of wine and roses! And next . . .
A celebration of the little things that make life sweet with A RED LETTER DAY!
Everything needed for a homemade happy life . . . your basic “How to be Happy!”
Here’s the side . . .
And the cheerful handle with dancing and singing cats!
And a little reminder on the bottom . . .
Next, behind door number four . . . the GARDEN . . .
With lots of wonderful old-wives tales gardening tips on the back to make it interesting . . .
Picket fence and humming birds!
And scattered flowers for the handle. Oops, I forgot to take a photo of the bottom! BUT I remember, there’s a red-handled trowel and it says, “You can bury a lot of troubles digging in the dirt.” Truer words were never spoken! 🌸
And that’s the four for Summer! Kellee will put them in our web store for preorder within the next couple of days. I’m thinking of ordering a lot less of these, mainly because I fear that you are being inundated with cups! So, to be sure, if you want one, place your order, so I will know.
Now, back to our regularly scheduled program! I’ll see you in a few days!
We went to Cong here in Ireland, where much of The Quiet Man was filmed (see it if you haven’t already, it’s a guaranteed love-fest!). This photo was in the bathroom of the actual Pat Cohan Bar you see in the movie, and that’s where Elaine and I are sitting above. See what I mean? It’s never ending. More later! Have a wonderful marvelous magical day of joy and happiness and good and delicious and healthy things to eat. XOXO 
Practically perfect in every way! Am truly enjoying bobbing alongside on this new adventure as so many of us have squished and squeezed ourselves into bags, and suitcases and such. It’s a proper treat seeing all things British through a fresh set of eyes.
France certainly sounds like a future plan ~ in the culinary footsteps of Julia Child!
~~~Waving~~~from Across the Irish Sea and St George’s Channel~~~Deb in Wales xoxo
Just wonderful! Being 25% Irish I know I’d absolutely fall in love, too, and always have tears in my eyes when looking at pictures like this. Even just seeing this helps me write. No telling what I would do over there!! Everyone I know who has been to Ireland, and there are many, has the same reaction. It is just a blessed place. Thank you so much. I’ll be back later, too. Got to run!
I cannot wait for the book. I love these blogs but can’t wait to hold the book in my hand and savor every page of it! Also, I know how busy you are Susan but please consider making more note cards! I love to write letters and use lovely note cards and yours are the best! Enjoy the rest of your visit and I’ll be anxious to read more about it.
Lovely lovely lovely. I’m envious, but not mad at you 🙂 . You inspire me!
😘 You are so sweet!
I love these pictures of your trip and travels so far! Carrie’s house is so inviting, she looks very happy there, as does Jack! And Ireland, so grand seeing it! I have ancesters from there too. The countryside everywhere is so beautiful, I love the one with the big tree and the road with the hills in the background.The cottage where you are now looks like something from a movie or fairy tale. Love the cows! Keep us posted, have fun and enjoy!
Just some added notes now that you’ve added on, but seeing the new mugs for summer makes me want more more more! I do collect the seasons mugs, so Summer will be the completer to the set. But I love the others too, especially the Garden one with all the flowers and sayings on it, and the 4th of July, and….oh well, must make up my mind! Thanks for these updating posts on where you are and what you are doing. Wonderful virtual vacation for us all!
Dearest Susan and Joe—like most GFs, I will try to be mindful of not too long a comment so as not to intrude on your precious vacation time. I will give you the Readers Digest condensed version of my comments—!!!!!WOWZER!!!!!!!!. I think it is especially wonderful that you have your extra special friends join you along the way—that’s the way to share the goodness! Love to you both from Bev
Well done Bev, that says it all!
Just got through showing Gene the whole blog post. He loved it! Especially the cows!! 🙂
Lovely. I loved the area around Galway Bay when I visited in 2007. The weather was almost as wild. I was told by the locals through out Island that you will experience all four seasons through the day, if not the hour. Enjoy the rest of your trip.
Going into the pubs is the best! It’s like being there. Was wondering if you were planning on asking the ladies who come to the picnic for their recipes of what they bring. That would be a great book! I plan on staying up late so I can watch your live tweets! What kind of pear cider is best? Can’t wait for next chapter. ❤️ Debby
Your posts are so fun – love the pictures, and your comments! I cannot wait for your next book, already excited and looking forward to it – thanks for all of the fun you create for everyone!!
Happy Belated Birthday! How fun to celebrate with Joe and friends in Ireland! Are the homes your staying in as cozy and warm as they look? What a wonderful way to soak in the atmosphere, staying in houses along the way. Being a part of the community for a bit helps to see how others go about their daily lives. Thank you for sharing all the fun.
SO loved your post…made me cry and want to be there…sigh. Keep having a WONDERFUL time, Birthday-Girl ❤️
Oh how I love it when you travel!
Such a fun adventure. Thanks for sharing, and Happy Birthday!!
Spectacular! Hooray! Waiting to hear more soon. It’s all so lovely.
Hi Susan, the birthday gal,
Love all that you have shared and can not wait for the book! Mike and I would love to go to Ireland too.
I have my new Hotter’s for our England tour and they are all day shoes right out of the box! You were so right and I thank you for the recommendation.
Enjoy every last minute of your fabulous trip with fabulous old and new friends along the way and of course us girlfriends!
Love,
Melin
Oh I Love it!!!!!!! Thank you for such a fabulous trip, and am going to be counting the days until I have the book about it!!!!! Safe trip!!❤️❤️
Absolutely delicious!! Can’t wait for the book!!!
I am so looking forward to joining you and other “girlfriends” on May 11th. I’ve booked my tour of Beatrix’ house and will pick up one of your England cups when I get there. Will “they” be able to keep me in western NC after I’ve seen the English countryside????
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET SUE. LOOKS LIKE THE PERFECT BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION. THANKS SO MUCH FOR SHARING IT WITH US. LOVE YOUR TRIP AND HOPEFULLY SOMEDAY I WILL BE ABLE TO REPLICATE IT. ENJOY AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT INSTALLMENT.
JANET H.
Such fun (traveling “with” you!)…I’m enjoying every second (but not as much as you and Joe are). Enjoy!!!!
Love being a voyeur on your adventure … can hardly wait for the book. ENJOY 🐑
Susan, I totally love our trip so far! My Dad’s people are from London, so I love everything England. Wales is lovely, and it’s so nice to see Carrie’s beautiful home. My Granny (on my Mother’s side) was from Ireland, so I am so glad to see all the green and beautiful scenery … even the “soft” weather. I’ve only been there once, but I do hope to go back again. Ireland does call to me, also. Please continue to travel safe, Joe is doing such a good job of driving on the wrong side of the road (I didn’t do that very well !!), and please let us know how it’s going.
Barb
Cannot wait for the book! The picture of you walking with Elaine and Rachel, past Bruxelles – my daughter and I had wonderful stew there for lunch last year! Tucked right into the corner table outside.
And we made it to Cong, outside Galway, to see where the shot “The Quiet Man” – one of MY favorite movies. My daughter was such a sport to indulge me – it was a long way on country roads.
The Irish were so lovely to us wherever we went. Loved the Rock of Cashel – high up on a hill and very windy! Dromoland Castle where the registration ladies became our friends and the bellman drove us to dinner, just down the drive! Our trip to the Boyne Valley was like stepping back in time. It still amazes me that the Irish can live next door to 1,000 year old castles and 5,000 year old ancient sites. What a lovely place! We were treated so nicely. Cannot wait to relive it all through your pictures, blog and book! Slainte!
Totally awesome!
Susan & Joe, what a great time you are having!!! Happy Birthday Susan! We loved Ireland!!! I didn’t think we’d come home alive with the narrow roads and driving on the other side of the road, but we made it. Thank you so much for sharing your trip with us. I am loving it!!! Donna (Idaho)
Oh so very enchanting. Love it all! Thanks for sharing.
What beautiful pictures! I love all the quaint villages and the surrounding countryside, especially the cows framed by stone walls! So glad you are able to enjoy places dear to you with friends…
What a fun trip. Again, thank you so very much for taking us along.
I enjoyed the piece about Laura Ashley. Her fabrics are to die for.
Keep the photos and info coming. It’s wonderful to see pics of green lawns and fields while we still deal with snow in eastern Iowa.
Wishing you and Joe continued safe traveling.
First one to comment! How exciting. I am so enjoying our trip to Britain, Wales and now Ireland! And a new girlfriend or two and some old friends. Hi to all. Absolutely love your hairy neighbors. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!
Oh, You are having the best of times! Enjoy the journey.
Hi Susan…First of all… Belated Birthday Wishes! Looks like the best birthday ever! Thank you for sharing photos of your travels. Have fun! Enjoy! Hugs ~C
Sounds like you are having an awesome time!
Thanks for taking us along!!!!
Happy happy Birthday So glad you were born in my time! I would have hated missing you and how you see the world!
I love traveling with you.
I was in Ireland in 2016 and would go back every year if I could. So I am looking forward to visiting it again through you. Thanks for sharing!
Wish you the luck of the Irish and Happy Birthday with your ring cake 🎂. Even the Irish Sea is green! 🍀Thanks for your wonderful, even rain spattered pictures. 🎁 A gift to us all. I bet your new book will ooze with fun and charm. Can’t wait. Love the wellies and hedgegroves. From the ♥️ of my home to the ♥️ of your home away from home!
Oh, what a magical, beautiful trip. Thanks so much for sharing it with us. I’m already looking forward to buying the book. Please tell me again how to pronounce “Siobhan.” I know you’ve told us before, but I can’t remember.
Shiv-on. xoxo
Oh Susan, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I WAS RIGHT THERE WITH YOU. Simply LOVELY!!
Susan, thanks for the beautiful update. My daughter was in Ireland in 2011 performing with her orchestra and could not get over how “green” everything was. So glad that your close friends were there for your birthday. Cannot imagine what Joe bought you for your b-day, please give us a clue….DeLynn
Wish I were really there with you, Susan.
Hope you know how much you cheer us up with your travelogues! Keep them up.
Thank you,
Susan
Such a great time you are having! Can not wait for the book! It will be wonderful! Happy belated Birthday! Glad you survived the boat trip to Ireland!
Thank you for bringing us along on your travels! So fun and magical! I wob you! ❤❤❤❤
You are clearly having a great time, despite the rain! Thanks for taking us along! Can’t wait for the next adventure!
So lovely to catch up with your exciting adventures Susan. Thank you for taking time out to update your Girlfriends with your news. Love all the pictures and looking forward to your next instalment. See you next month and praying we will all be blessed with fine weather in the Lakes.
With love to you both from Ann in Chester xx
Loving this!!!!
Dear Susan: What a great post! You are so generous to be sharing your adventure with us – what wonderful pictures/comments … like I am there with you. I cannot thank you enough …. Thank you…Thank you..Thank you.
Enjoy every moment. Give our “hi” to Joe.
Thanks for your post!
Love Ireland although England also a favorite.
How nice to see the kitchen of your friend-so beautiful designed.
Have a great time in your lovely cottage.
See you later.
Cheers,Trudy from the Netherlands
What a dream-like vacation with friends, who become family after so many years! Stay well. Looking forward to hearing more from you. Where did you buy your wellies?
I am so grateful to you for taking us along on your adventures! Such fun for all of us!
So enjoyed your blog today…even with the rainy weather, it was such fun to join you on your adventures. Just passed thru the airport in London, but visited Ireland and fell in love with EVERYTHING! It is definitely in my genes. Enjoy!
Dear Sue,
Late Happy Birthday, this trip has got to be the most wonderful present ever. Thanks for sharing it with all of us.
Can’t wait for more,
xo
Lillian
Happy Belated Birthday – what an epic way to celebrate!
Just fabulous Susan!
Ireland looks gorgeous and it was lovely to see your dear friends in the pictures too and Claire and Stuart’s home …..Add in some pictures of Wales…if you can!! I miss it so much!
Just love those cows….and the lambies!!! Beautiful – you lucky girls and boys!! Looks like you’re having a grand time!
Love
Karen x x x
Cambridgeshire
UK 🇬🇧
Sirry pootery thing…apologies to Carrie🙄😬🤭…it should have read Carrie…not Claire! 🙀
Who is Claire anyway??! K 🤪
So lovely! What a treat to cuddle up with your post on this snowy spring day. Thanks for sharing your trip. It’s grand to be journeying with you.
Yay! A miniseries!!! Branchton Abbey! I will be sure to tune in to every episode! I think we would all feel terribly depressed about the absence of spring weather if we were not able to binge read your blogs and tweets!! ❤️ Thanks again for cheering us up!!
Wonderful pics! Can’t wait to read your new book!
Me too!
Happy Birthday Susan! Sounds like you are having a lovely holiday!!! We appreciate you letting us be armchair travelers, along on your adventures. It’s great fun😀
Oh, you lovely, lucky little lady, Susan. And, God bless you and your wonderful spirit and talent. I LOVE being friends with you and receiving your email visits.
You are truly an uplifting friend. Thanks so much.
Enjoy your trip, lassie.
Fran Patten
Love, love, love your stories. Life is wonderful, and you are so blessed to experience such a fabulous adventure. Ireland seems a little more rustic than England. The baby lambs are the cutest things. Thank you for sharing your road trip with me. I feel as I am looking at the beautiful countryside from the back seat of your car.
Joyously,
Betty
I love following you along..We are lucky to have husbands who can drive anywhere:) I love that.Jacques’ a trooper in Provence.
So nice the friends you are seeing..the sights..the homes..the birthday..everything and everyone..and I do remember the record shop job and Elaine..and… my bikini;)
Wow….just…..Wow…..
Wowsers! What a nice place you bought!! So happy for you! Now you will be like Beatrix and get your own animals coming over. Happy Birthday!! Linda from Idaho where it was 70 degrees ond day and next day winter coats and a huge hailstorm!!!
No no, didn’t buy anything, we are just renting and visiting! 😃
She is renting the cottage not buying it !,,
Love your blog and I guess I did not realize you were doing another book YEAAAAAA! Can’t wait. Look forward to your next blog
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! What great photos, cannot wait for more. Life is so sweet you wonder how we all came to this planet when we did, aren’t we all so lucky!
Sandy, I love your view of life…so upbeat and positive. And so much like our dear Susan who brings joy to my life with her art and fabulous trips.
What an absolutely marvelous time you are having! Loving every photo around the bends in the roads, hills and dales. So glad you like to share!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SUSAN! You are having so much fun, I’m thrilled for you and love all the photos as usual. Good news that Joe got his ring back!
The book will be another delight… Hugs all round
S
I also loved your piece about Laura Ashley. I used her fabrics and wallpapers in my house, and had two timeless dresses that I adored, wore for years and felt wonderful in. No synthetics! I didn’t know she had died so tragically, but had noticed a change in the quality of the merchandise. Thank you for telling us more about her in your own, inimitable words! Kindred spirits, happy isn’t it?
It most definitely is! xoxo
Such fun to experience this trip through your photos and delightful descriptions. Now I can say I’ve been to England and Ireland.
LOVE! The countryside. That ferry. Carrie’s house….like a fairytale. You with the flowers! Thanks for sharing so much. Happy belated birthday!!
I am in Seventh Heaven! Maybe that can be the new book title! When Irish Eyes Are Smiling has already been used!!😂 🇮🇪
What a delight, Thanks for sharing your adventures with all of us. Feel as though I am with you. Lovely.
Making wonderful memories!! Happy Everyday to you! Thanks for sharing.
What a fun blog! I feel as if I’m there with you! Thank you for that!
I’m sitting here monitoring students taking a placement test for high school next year AND at the same time I’m traveling through Ireland and Wales. Way to brighten a cold spring afternoon. Thanks for sharing
There may be lots of rain, but the rainbows seem to erase the stormy days away. Your photos of Galway and Cong bring back wonderful memories of my stays in Ireland. Enjoy those pubs, the Irish stew is the best. The flowers you showed us are outshone by the smiles we’ve seen on your face. Enjoy! Enjoy! Enjoy!
Sounds and looks awesome! Enjoy😜😜and Happy Belated Birthday too!🍰🍰🍰
FUNNY PHOTO! Looks like they have . . . six-legged lambs in Wales! I loved the singing by Rachel and Paul.
I guess that should be . . . six-legged sheep.
Ha!
Thanks Sharon!! Hope we didn’t offend your ears too much…LOL! x
Rachel, you have the sweetest voice and your singing duet was really lovely💞 Thank you for letting Sue share that lovely moment with us. xoxoxo
Just lovely, lovely!!!
How sweet it is! Just goes to show that good planning and good friends do make the world go ’round! Oh, and handy Wellies. 🙂
Happy Birthday to you, too!
Hugs!
Oh, the places I have traveled with you and Joe–and your friends! Sorry, Petey–you too! I’m really looking forward to your next book, knowing it will be wonderful before I even open the cover. Thanks for all you share and the places you take us!
This has been so much fun, thank you 😊
So lovely to read every detail of this adventure , and doso enjoy the snaps to accompany.
For the dozenth time, thank you for sharing your sweet life with us girlfriends. Can’t wait for the new book. Take your time, see everything and take lots of notes and pictures. Have a blast for us!!!
So cool! Love traveling with you! So much fun for the armchair traveler back home! And I miss Laura Ashley too!
To quote Jackie in Colorado…..WOW just WOW! My goodness gracious girlfriend, the pictures, your wonderful words, the music, I’m thinking of how blessed we all are that we get invited along on your journeys! May God continue to bless you, and us!!!! Thank you, sounds so simple, but very heartfelt! ♥ xoxo
Loved this post so much! Great seeing rain too. We’ve only had 1/4 inch in 7 months, so even photos of it are beautiful. Happy Bithday, Sue. May your adventures continue for many, many years to come. XOXO
–ShellEy…with the extra E. 😊
Happy Birthday Susan!! Thank you so much for taking us along with you on your trip. Your pictures are wonderful! I’m loving every minute of it!
Happy Birthday Susan! Thank you for taking us along on your delightful adventure. Can’t wait for the book!
Be still my beating heart,you are giving me palpations.Is Ireland not the land of leprechauns?Have a lovely dinner.Waiting for more adventures.Mary Elizabeth Marshall in Gloucester,VA.
We are almost turning into leprechauns ourselves, I think it just happens. Ireland is a place that soaks right into you. Like we are cake sitting in a puddle of Irish whiskey and cream, soaking it up.
Glad you had such a great birthday. 🙂 Waiting for the book.
Hello Susan
Thank you for the photos and updates. Love the small towns- your birthday dinner with best friends!!
But those cows- how fabulous to watch them – the families. Sweet sweet faces.
Can’t wait for more!!!!
❤️ Loved seeing every photo and reading about the adventures! ❤️
Happy belated birthday! More,more, more….such fun to read.
Don’t you look adorable in your purple pants and brown boots! love. Your travel photos are amazing but then seeing you in a bikini in the California sun makes me long for that! Happy travels and thanks for sharing 🙂
Such a wonderful trip, thanks for sharing. I was in Ireland last October at the end of hurricane Ophelia. Crazy, crazy rain and wind. I was wondering where you found this rental and if you would not mind sharing with us? It looks like such a wonderful place to stay and very central location. I hope you have some sunshine and warmth in the rest of your stay! Can’t wait to see your new ring.
Thank you so much!! I sure am enjoying this! Love all the pictures and feel like I am there. You are so making me want to be there!!! Such blessings that youa re sharing this trip with us!! xoxoxo
Happy birthday! What an exceptional celebration.
A very happy belated birthday! Mine’s in April, too 🙂 I can’t even begin to tell you how much I am loving sneaking along on your trip with you! We had another huge snowstorm in Wisconsin last weekend so it truly doesn’t feel like April. Love the cows and lambs – enjoy yourselves thoroughly and safe travels!
Oh Susan..what joy you have given us with this first episode of your visit here…I hope the weather soon improves and you see the SUN…
I have been to Galway and just loved that coast..you can visit Achill island nearby and look into the sea for loads of shells too..it is just magic there and so green…
You are having us ready to queue for this new book as you write..the green and pleasant land..maybe a title..
I saw Laura Ashley’s grave in carno last year too..she was an inspiration to us all …
Bless you both on your travels..enjoy and keep safe
Thank you for all these wonderful stories and memories.
Sandra in Birmingham x
So fun to read!!! Love the cows!
I have to ask why Joe doesn’t use a backpack instead of that big bag and protect his shoulder!! That can’t be good for it!
Can’t wait to see and read more.
He seems to like it that way although I’ve also brought that up. He has a backpack, but so far hasn’t used it!