We had walked 45 kms over two days by the time we arrived at james and Aoife's home last saturday afternoon . They are the creators of a house just out and up from the town of roundwood co. Wicklow. 'Lusmore' It is a wonder. Through the glass front doors is a wide hall decorated in bright colours against a grey . There are two levels in the hall and it is the kind of space that can be used in different ways .. as a place to eat or a place to practice a physical discipline such as yoga or dance. . Aoife had homemade cookies ready for us and a cup of tea. We had a huge choice of teas . James and Aoife themselves are an inspiration. Friendly and energetic young people who in six months single handedly transformed a building site into a palace. There was something dreamlike about the house which suited our state of mind after spending the last seven hours in the mountains walking under the open sky. Later they set up a table for us with a candle and served a magnificent three course meal . A soup to die for... a warm chicken and mixture of vegetables salad and potatoes all organically grown. An insane concoction of fruit , flambeed banana , ice cream and chocolate as an incredible desert.
They left us to ourselves while we ate and gave us the use of their music system to create our own atmosphere . We could not have dreamed of a kinder place to rest our bones and reflect on the majesty of the walk we were two thirds of the way through. The bedrooms are decorated with great taste and colour. and of course we slept like babes.
In the morning Aoife applied herself to dressing my partner Marion's blistered foot. From my room i could hear laughter . Apart from providing a service for rest and sustenance they provide unpretentious and unforced friendship and support. I feel like we have made new friends and I look foreword to visiting Lusmore again and again.
Liam ó Maonlaí