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Picture - Paddling in the Atlantic - by Nigel A. JAMES
Storm
Clouds Above
It's
the small things in life that are often remembered for ever. And,
what happened to Hilde and her best friend Monika will never be
forgotten.
It
was August, 1962. The two young Austrian girls were on a hiking
holiday in the Republic of Ireland and heading for the small town of
Cork. And, being the last but one day of their holiday, their
feelings were jumping between wanting to stay and wanting to go. The
weather had been kind, the Irish had been kind, and many memories
for life had also been made.
But
then came the cloud!
It
started as a speck on the horizon and quickly grew bigger and bigger
and bigger. And then, all of a sudden, the rain started with force.
It was torrential. It came down in torrents. And the youth hostel
was more than an hour in the distance.
But
hours pass, too. And, when Hilde and Monika arrived soaking wet at
the hostel they could hardly contain their feelings of joy. What
better than a heartening meal and two comfortable beds? But then came
the shock. The hostel was full! Everyone, it seemed, had come in from
the storm. What was to happen to Hilde and Monika?
The
storm was growing in strength.
And,
there Hilde and Monika stood. Dripping, wet, and cold! But not to
worry, the warden was a man with a heart and the two girls were
young. His hostel was full, but, if Hilde and Monika were prepared to
sleep on the table, there would be no problem at all. And so, after
a wonderful three course Irish meal the table was cleared and turned
into a bed. And it was hard. It was the most uncomfortable night
that Hilde had ever had. And, when she woke up in the morning she was
freezing. The blankets, having all fallen off in the night, were all
in a heap on the floor. But then came the breakfast.
And
it was great and it was Irish. Rashers, eggs, black pudding, toast
and strong tea. The warden did everything possible to make sure that
his two Austrian guests enjoyed a good finish to their holiday in
Ireland. And they did! And, on their way home on the ferry to France,
Hilde and Monika thought of the people they'd met. And they were
happy.
Every
dark cloud does have its own silver lining. A storm, a great evening
meal, a very hard bed, a big Irish breakfast, and a kind Irish man
with a heart who made them so welcome. Peter Dunn was his name and
he's never been forgotten.
Hilde
and Monika got wet in a storm in the deep south of Ireland. But, the
welcome they found was the best in the world. The Irish are happy
making others feel great. And, Hilde and Monika arrived home in
Vienna with smiles in their hearts. Walking in Ireland. A wonderful
time.
Picture - Paddling in the Atlantic - by Nigel A JAMES
