This is a post I first published here on Happy Magazine last November. It’s about a lovely two-day cottage break I had with my husband and baby son this time last year, while I was still going through my treatment. If you live in Dublin, Glendalough, Co Wicklow is just perfect for a weekend break and the Glendale Cottages are a great self-catering option. If you’re thinking of taking a little weekend trip this month, maybe this post will inspire you.
Sometimes you’ve just got to get away! We all need a little escape from time to time. It can be nice to book yourself into a lovely hotel for a night or two, or maybe a little country cottage is more your thing. When you’re going through cancer treatment, the important thing is to take care of yourself. Do things you love. Make the best of the journey.
Recently we decided we needed to get away. Just for a change of scenery, some light walking, good food and a roaring fire. We booked a two-night stay at a comfortable cottage in Co Wicklow and it was all we were hoping for and more. Here are the details – maybe you’d like to do it too?
The cottage was called Holly (apt – my name is Holly too!) and it was one of the cottages at the Glendale Holiday Cottages in Laragh, just before you reach Glendalough, Co Wicklow.
With three bedrooms, it had plenty of room for more people, although we were just two and our eighteen-month old. The cosy lounge/kitchen-diner had a lovely fireplace which we used on both evenings – it was so lovely to sit toasting our toes by a crackling fire – it’s something we don’t have at home. The kitchen had everything you could need to make a quick supper and the dining table looked out onto a lovely patio and mountain view.
The bedroom was a good size and very comfortable, the bathroom was squeaky clean (as was the rest of the cottage) and the hot shower was just right.
We stayed in on our first night and made chicken breast burgers for our supper. The next morning we got up bright and early and after breakfast, drove a short few minutes down to Glendalough for a brisk walk and a coffee.
We loved exploring the walk to the Upper Lake, taking photos and enjoying the bright sunshine. You can read more about the walk we did in this post.
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| Photo from the Wicklow Heather website |
After our walk, we popped back in the car and up the road to the Wicklow Heather restaurant for steaming bowls of vegetable soup, crusty bread and tasty main courses to warm us up. The Wicklow Heather was buzzing with visitors, beautifully warm and cosy inside with twinkling fairy lights everywhere and friendly and very accommodating staff. We had a lovely meal.
Our afternoon then was back to our cottage to light another fire, read and while away a few hours with a glass or two of wine and some good conversation.
It was just what the doctor ordered. Fresh air, good food, some time to rest and unwind, some beautiful scenery to explore. Maybe it’s for you too? We hope so. Wherever you are on your cancer journey, we hope you’re taking great care of yourself.
Words and photos by Holly Kennedy, except for Wicklow Heather photo, from their website.
Visit the Glendale Holiday Cottages website here.
Visit the Wicklow Heather restaurant website here.
This is not a sponsored post.
