Farmleigh is a country estate formerly owned by the Guinness family and is just north and west of Phoenix Park. The estate is about 6km from our apartment through the park, and it is not available via public transportation. The day was cool, and we had little else on our agenda so we walked. Actually, the weather was cold and drizzly at first, but dried out and became warmer, then the sky delivered light rain and cool temps again later. But we were enticed into the trip by the fact a great farmer's market was to take place today in Farmleigh with locally grown and produced fruit and vegetables, cheeses, meats and flowers -- we simply could not resist. It was well-worth the effort.

Seeing more of Phoenix Park is reward enough, but Farmleigh is really, really pretty. I simply cannot imagine what it might have been like to have had a country mansion with grounds, drives, walks and gardens that these wealthy people once enjoyed so much. People round here say that the aristocrats' estates were like small villages. The estates not only included the owner's austentaious house but also had clock/bell towers, chapels, laundry houses and all the other buildings and facilities necessary support their royal life and to support the lives of those who lived on their land to serve them. That's what once existed for the Guinness family. I hope they enjoyed it. Farmleigh is something special and beautiful still today.

The walk to the farmers market was serene. The intermitent rain made all the natural colors of the land simply brilliant. When we finally arrived at the market, we admired the fruit and vegetables, some still bearing the soil they grew in. We caved, of course, and bought a freshly-baked scone and gigantic lemon bar. We saved the sweets for later but plowed right into sharing a hot dog made with homemade bratwurst and homemade spicy tomato sauce on a long roll and a free-range beef burger, grillled right there and served with onions, mustard and catsup. Not too bad!

As we found shelter from the next round of light rain, we met a young Irish couple and chatted a good while about the joys of traveling which they did when they were even younger and before they had their 8 and 5 year old boys. We talked about how we've enjoyed our trip, and particularly their home of Dublin. The young mother taught us a wonderful Irish good-bye phrase, "Slan go foill."

Then it was time for the walk home. The Irish people are like those we know from Seattle. They simply are accustomed to a little rain and it does not stop them from enjoying the outdoors or whatever else they want to do. So, we did like the Irish and simply walked home in the rain. It actually was quite nice. By the time we made it through Phoenix Park again, the weather had cleared. We decided to make use of the time to visit the People's Garden -- I'm so glad we didn't miss it.

It's time now to say goodbye to Dublin and move on to Edinburgh tomorrow. Slan go foill, dear Ireland. Good-bye for now.