For two days, we spent a great deal of time walking the towpaths along the inland waterways of County Kildare. In many respects, this was the most pleasant part of the trip, certainly the most relaxing walking-wise.
Meadowsweet!
Coming into Robertstown where we stayed for two nights -- or some of the group did. Surprise! The leaders had underbooked, and four of us were to stay at B&Bs that were a 20-Euro taxi ride away -- and guess who had to pay the taxis. This was particularly offensive since all of the group events were held in Robertstown. We took turns paying the driver. Oh, excuse me; not quite. B. was one of the four, and she wasn't paying for anything. She was originally placed in the same B&B that I was and had a major freakout because (a) you couldn't fool her; they made pornography at that B&B; and (b) she didn't want to be under the same roof with me since I had used a cell phone "RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME! I DON'T HAVE TO PUT UP WITH THAT! She's horrible! She makes you like her, but she has this satanic energy..." At which point, I felt that the best thing to do was disappear since my presence seemed to upset her, and I wasn't into being attacked. I later felt guilty about leaving this situation to other pilgrims, but I was assured repeatedly that I'd done the right thing. Somehow, it was handled, and presumably being at the other location did not expose her to anything unholy.
This village entryway reminded me strongly of the Brigid's Well that Patrick took care of.
Our second day of canal walking, we were delighted to witness a major event on the opposite shore. A farmer, a vet, and an assistant delivered a baby bull by Cesarean section. We stood on the walkway and asked Brigid to be present in this difficult situation. The elderly farmer stayed close to the heavily-tranquilized mother, reassuring her.
We were all a little surprised to see Baby Bull off by himself, but he was breathing and clearly making his first attempts to stand upright.
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