Amy Does Fitness (well, sort of): Christmas in Cork

I hope everyone had a wonderful and happy Christmas!!!!

Last Saturday was a lazy day in West Cork. I hung out at the Coffee Shop with Carol and had a delightful lunch of veggie quiche and tomato bisque. Yum yum yum. I also took a quick walk down to the harbor and enjoyed the weather while it wasn’t raining. The weather has actually been quite mild – some clear (even sunny) weather each day before the rain sets in. Sunday evening we cooked Union Hall cod and veggies at home before heading over to O’Donovan’s Hotel in Clonakilty to see a wonderful West Cork all-female band called Ré Nua (which means “New Age” in Irish). Check out their website if you have a sec: www.renuamusic.com - they play a blend of Irish, country, folk music with a touch of classical. They are really very good and one of the singers actually directs the Clonakilty choir Pam is a member of called “Allegria.” At the end of the Ré Nua performance, Allegria went up on stage and sang two Christmas songs with them. The whole evening was delightful – and involved lots of wine (yum!!!) and mince pies (bleh!!!). That’s funny because every Thanksgiving and Chrismukkah Mom makes Dad his mince pies and no one else will tough them (well, except Bob). Here, mince pie is the official Christmas pie. They are everywhere!

Monday night I headed to my friend Trace’s out in Rosscarbery. I made it all the way there by myself in the dark (with no wrong turns!!) in my little marshmallow of a rental car. I didn’t even use my GPS!!! Just directions Dennis gave me. Those of you who know me know that’s pretty amazing!! Anyway, her friend Gillian was having man trouble so the three of us spent Christmas Eve and Christmas together, drinking wine, eating Union Hall smoked salmon and cheese/honey. We even roasted chestnuts on an open fire!! Trace is an artist as well (in fact you can’t shake a stick in West Cork without hitting an artist) and made me a lovely painted canvas for Christmas. She also gave me an adorable tea cup with a poppy on it!!!! Everyone knows how much I love the poppies. All the gals loved the painted ornaments I made for them as well (a knock off of Mom’s design – of course). For Christmas dinner we went over to Trace’s friend’s Irish cottage and had roasted spuds, brussel sprouts, and my contribution…… kugel (Jewish dish), which everyone loved!!!!! They also had turkey and duck, but obviously I didn’t eat any of that. Afterwards we had Christmas Pudding with custard and cream!!!! I didn’t mind the Christmas Pudding – it was kind of spicy fruity cake made with brandy or rum. It’s hasn’t become my favorite new dessert or anything, but it was pretty tasty. The day after Christmas – St. Stephen’s Day/Boxing Day – we went to another friend’s house – one of the local organic farmers – in another wonderful old Irish cottage – and had more wine and more food. By this point I guess you are sensing a theme. . eat . . drink. . .eat .

I have had high hopes of walking all over the place – getting some good exercise, but it’s really just been a lazy holiday so far. Mostly we’ve just been sitting around gabbing and catching up. It has been wonderful!!!! I have posted a few pictures below.