On A Mission to Ennis, Monday 25.8.08

Thank you ces for my award. When I find out how to display it, I will certainly do so!

It was once again horribly wet today, so I decided to take a trip to Ennis, quite a big town about an hour's drive from us. When we first came to County Clare, we used Ennis (pronounced Innis), as our base. It's a very pretty town with a wide river running through the centre and a ruined abbey quite near the centre. It also has a good mix of shops, a lot of them boutique style, not so many of the chain store type shops, though there are some of those on the outskirts.

Here are 3 Abbey Arch Shots. It was so wet, all the photos are a bit gloomy today:



















I was on a mission to buy presents for 3 certain ladies (I use the term loosely) who I am visiting on Friday until Monday. One's had a birthday, one is on 30th and one in early Sept. Now I can't say how I got on, because they read my blog! However, I did succeed, so all was well in that department. (You'll have to wait, you three).

It rained all day and the bottoms of my trousers (I like them long) were absolutely soaked. I managed to stay out of the food and coffee shops, very unusual for me, but I knew I had limited time. I was also looking for something to wear for the wedding! No, I haven't sorted anything out yet. I saw a gorgeous looking top, all jester type colours, long with a zip front, in a shop window and eventually decided to go and try it on. The shop assistant was very helpful and brought me the top, plus a camisole to try on under it and a pair of black trousers. Disaster, it made my hips look massive! Now I'm not tiny, but I don't need to look gross.

I think I'll try 'Treasures' in Gort on Wednesday as they have some very unusual suits in there. The trouble with buying in the UK is that the clothes in the main stores are all a bit 'samey', whereas if I get something here in Ireland, it'll be a bit different. We are also going to view the kennels for Buster on Wednesday, which is the other side of Gort, so it'll kill 2 birds with one stone.

You probably know that my daughter has a new blog called 'Enchanted Glimpses' which is full of windows, arches, doors and signs. Well, I couldn't help but look at windows in a way I never have before, and doors, and arches! (Bit of an arch theme in the Abbey ones). I hope you're not too cross with my efforts, DK. Of course you can pinch them for your blog if you like. The River Fergus was running fast under the bridge in Ennis. Here you can see it burbling and bubbling.













Next to the Abbey is a re-fitted shop with an arched door and arched window:



I loved the powder blue colour and the clean lines of the arch against the squares above.

















This was the same shop's window. If you look, you can see the windows reflected and a car's reflection and me taking the picture. This was intentional!This pair of Staffordshire Dogs were watching the world go by. Handsome stained glass panels were either side of them.

I wasn't sure what was in the 'grey' window above. A banana? Actually I think it's a rather arty ornament of some kind. This window was overlooking the square by the river in Ennis.






This rather splendid gate caught my eye. It is at the entrance to the Garda station (Police Station).

Here is the sign to the same place:
It's just by the side of the river so they have the best views.

Now the odd thing about signs is that in Ennis, lots of them seem to be missing! There must be a secret sign stealer about!







This non sign is so pretty!




Of course there were many signs with things in and on them!














This lovely bi-lingual Barber's sign is delightfully old fashioned













One of the many many pub signs, Brogans








A Legal Sign






Tierney Cycles and Fishing Equipment sign with the Clare flag underneath it


















A Mis-spelt Sign















A 'Manly' Sign














Broken Arches Window



















Slightly blurred Tourist Signs

















Now this really made me laugh. If ever there was a misnomer. Fast Foods? Not fast enough judging by the queue!!







On the other side of the river is this cute statue:
I'm not sure what it represents, as the writing on the base was all worn. Oh, notice it has an arch in the centre!

Here's another of it just looking through the arch.






On the opposite side of the road, I don't think I'd fancy staying in this hostel:







There are the 'backs' of some of the shops around the car park, where I parked. This window isn't a good advert for the shop!
























This is one of the many little lanes that inter-connect with the main streets








I spotted this tiny window high up in the eaves of a tall building. It's the sort of window you'd expect to find Mrs Rochester behind, with the bars too.





















All the benches were wet and soggy










Crikey, by the time the workmen had read all these signs before going on site, it'd be time to go home!








K loves these huge pylons that straddle our countryside like mechanical giants. It was a bit dark for this photo, but I tried.
























I did have fun taking this reflection of one in my car though


I didn't get home until about 7.30. Buster rushed out to greet me! We've had a leisurely evening, bit of tv, lovely meal of sausages, potatoes dauphinoise and good old Heinz baked beans. Can't beat it!

The cats are asleep up in Jim's office, Buster's asleep in his posh bow bed, Jim's typing away at something and here am I. I hope you enjoyed my day. I had a good time in spite of the rain.