Parallel lives

"Looks like we are here for another hour at least" 

said Stephen as he watched me happily paddling around barefoot in the knee deep high tidal water covering his motorhome exit route. I was parked by him but OK as I was staying overnight among the beautiful water meadows and sand dunes at 'Caher Beach' Just along from 'Castlegregory'.

Stephen, Joy, their motorhome plus their three dogs were already there as I moved Sadie from my sons house. The holiday rental season was underway. Keith and Justine's first paying guests were arriving and I guess would not be too chuffed upon arrival to find a hulking great motorhome parked out front. I had enjoyed my week at their home in close proximity to one year old Kaden with his inevitable toddler tumbles and intelligently engaging 'da da da da' language skills.

This new camping spot just above the high tide mark was convenient being equa—distance between their house and 'Beach Box', Keith and Justine's popular holiday shop and launderette in 'Castlegregory'.

Stephen, it turned out had an uncannily similar life journey to my own. From a seagoing start to a final career, like myself, in mental health with Dyslexia and 'seeking' also emerging as further parallels. We decided there was only one thing to do. We both headed off up the tidal river into the wetlands to a deep pool I had spotted earlier. Joy and her camera and the three dogs caught up with us later as we were walking down the low tide sandy riverbank after our cool refreshing swim. Tanya just loved being with their dogs and got so carried away she, without any assistance from me, swam across the shallow river at one point. Mind you: I had to wade across and fetch her back. One swim OK. Two? 

"Hah! Who do you think I am? Some kinda a woofin seal or something!"

No swimming tonight but I have just been paddling. I had to reach Sadie on my way back from spending a pleasant evening with Keith and Justine and a very tired little Kaden. Its high tide with the exit/entry under salty sea water once more. Sandals off, Tanya tucked under my arm, umbrella up as the rain was (still is)fairly hammering down and wade through about fifty yards of knee deep but temperate tidal flow.

Tomorrow, at low tide, we move on. A slow trip taking in some more of Irelands West coast before hitting the ferry across to Scotland.