We were determined to have a lazy morning but first we had to deliver our laundry to the local dry cleaners. Laundromats are not popular in Ireland so dry cleaners also offer laundry services. We dropped off a week's worth of washing and 7 hours later picked it up washed and folded for 12€. We chatted to the laundry lady about the hotel's comical prices. To give you an idea, 1 pair of undies costs 2.50 €. Our laundress gleefully pointed out, "You could go into Penny's and get tree pairs o' knickers for the price."
We saw a sign pointing to 'Quay' and followed it, thus stumbling upon the river walk. This led us to the inevitable ye olde stone bridge and ye olde ruined castle while we chatted to Jake on Skype.
Strangely, ye olde Augustinian Monastery wasn't ruined. (Half of Ireland's romantic ruins are a result of Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries. In retrospect you'd have to say the randy old goat was a boon to both the Romantic poets and tourism.)
The monastery has gained new life as a church and a primary school (hence the flag out the front). Lyn has been intrigued by Irish education since she got here for three reasons: Ireland has a leaving certificate for matriculation which is usually 100% assessed by final exam, the phrase "National School" and the world's dorkiest school uniforms. The latter all appear to have been designed by a desperately untalented colour-blind nun. Anyway, Lyn suddenly disappeared. She reappeared 15 minutes later to tell me that she'd rung the bell, gained admittance and been chatting to the principal. I shouldn't be surprised after 30 years of marriage but she does keep me guessing.
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