For Peat's sake ....

..... with apologies and acknowledgement to W, who used this pun when he saw this pile.

We've had a day on the road, two houses viewed.  Both lovely in their own way.  

We set off in bright sunshine, driving east into the sun.  Just about the time when it got late enough that the sun would have ceased to be a problem, we drove into mist.  So all in all, a trying drive.  

The morning house was a single storey, a bit ornate for my taste, but that can, of course be changed with a lick of paint, and somewhat less OTT lampshades.  Despite the ornate decor, the actual design was a little bland and boring, but it was big enough, and came with everything we would need to just move in - assuming the current owners either burn or remove this huge pile of peat, currently stored in what would be the workshop.  We understand how peat burning is a longstanding Irish tradition, but personally are very reluctant to burn peat - a rapidly diminishing resource.

Then lunch in Edenderry, followed by another hour's drive to the second viewing.  This house came with an enormous workshop (including a car lift!).  It was an interesting, and rather attractive house, with a central living room which was double height.  But this seemed to me to waste space, resulting in bedrooms that were not really big enough for what we want, which is rooms that will serve a double function as sewing or exercise room but with room enough for either a single bed or a sleeper couch for occasional visitors.

Then a longish drive home.  We stopped to charge the car in Athlone.  ESB limit charging sessions to 45 mins, with a stiff penalty if you overrun - 45 minutes was not long enough to adequately charge the car in Athlone, given that we have another long run tomorrow morning, so we stopped to charge again in Loughrea, where we also popped in to Aldi to pick up some essential supplies.

Another viewing tomorrow.