We arrived at Rosslare on the Sea Link ferry after a
night crossing of the Irish Sea complete with our French rental car we had picked
up several weeks ago in Paris. I mention the car because having French plates enables
you to get away with blue murder in the UK and Ireland. Any driving indiscretions
can be put down to Gallic flair but there sometimes are drawbacks - as you will see.
After a night on the ferry we felt it was about time to tuck in to a genuine Irish
breakfast. This is not difficult as every second house advertises the early morning
meal. We selected our cottage and pulled up to the gate.
We were just getting out of the car when a balding man and his wife pulled up along
side us. He quickly spotted our French number plates and said, "Good morning or should I say Bonjour?"
"No you shouldn't," we said.
"We are from New Zealand."
"I was in France many years
ago," he continued. "What part of the country do you come from?"
"Lake Taupo in the North
Island actually," we explained.
"I was living in Normandy
only for a few months but I learnt to speak French quite well," he said.
- this conversation was not going too well.
The lady of the house, wrapped in a pinkish house coat, ushered us in and sat the
four of us down at her dining room table.
" I like the French a lot.
Many people don't," he added.
" We are from New Zealand," I said.
"We picked up the car in
France," added Lizzie. |
"Merci beacoup," said our friend to lady of the house who had by now arrived
with our toast. We concentrated hard on spreading the Irish butter and sipping our
Irish breakfast tea.
"Are you both touring?"
he asked.
"Yes", we answered weakly. At least his wife was not speaking!
The bacon and eggs mercifully arrived and this quelled the stimulating conversation
for a couple of minutes until -
"I've been to Germany."
"Oh how interesting," said Lizzie.
"Have you been there," he continued. We nodded.
" I can speak quite a bit
of German too, can't I dear?" he said, nudging
his mute wife in the ribs. "I
picked it up on a bus trip. Can you speak German? "
he asked.
"Schnitzel," I said
There was quite a bit more to this conversation and it seemed he was really an Irishman
from Cork but had been living in England for most of his life and was therefore really
English (he could speak English as wel he told usl) but was going back to Ireland
to discover his roots. We thought he all ready had!
"God bless ya ma dears," said the lady of the house as she cheerfully pocketed our
English pounds to the tune of about $100.00 NZ for but a humble Irish breakfast.
Let us know about your Irish experiences, recommendations and tips |
Travel Warning! Avoid Irish Breakfast Conversations