Downtown Bantry and Glengarriff's Bamboo Park

Today was a bit boring for clients but it was relaxing for us, hanging out with Florence in Bantry for the morning, chatting over a cup of organic coffee and a homemade organic scone at Organico. Ireland is on the organic kick as well as the environmental wave – even ATM machines remind you to dispose of your receipt carefully (if you print one at all!) Time alone with Florence was great and we got to know her just a little bit better than the previous trips.

Back at home Florence decided not to join us at The Bamboo Park in Glengarriff, a bamboo garden set on 12 beautiful acres (when the sun is out!) and overlooking a small bay. Claudine, the owner, greeted us and knew exactly who we were as Florence rang up to let her know we were coming. Claudine gave us a map and quick overview of the gardens, the bamboo having been imported from France and adapting very well to the subtropical climate in Glengarriff. The gardens were gorgeous and we walked the perimeter, stopping to bask in the sun and enjoy the views of not only the gardens but the water as well.

Back to the entrance (not sure how we found it!) we stopped in to talk with Claudine a while, opting for a wonderful piece of homemade apple tarte with cream and a cup of coffee. At some point another American couple stopped in for the same as we talked to Claudine. At one point Claudine congratulated us on adopting – word travels fast in a small community and we were happy to share our experience. She asked quite a few questions and we were more than happy to answer them, knowing that our next visit to Ireland will probably be with baby.

Thanking her for the tour, conversation and wonderful tarte we decided to head back to see Raymond and Florence and help prepare dinner. The night was out usual except we decided to pick our next painting which we’ll post online soon. I think this is our 10th painting of Raymond’s that we’ve collected.