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"Better put some money in that machine over
there," the little girl said as she walked along the low wall at the entry to
the car park.
Very observant, this child of no more than
eight years. She must have seen my confusion. I knew that parking wasn't free.
Town Centre parking, if you're lucky enough to find it, is 60 cents an hour.
Here on Connaughton Road, just three blocks from the Hyde Bridge, it was €2.50
for all day. I was about to walk away after putting in my coins.
"Better punch the green button for your
ticket."
This child knew the ropes. She'd been here
before. In fact, her family lived here. Their caravan, one of many in the lot,
was parked quite close to my car. I asked if I could take her photo. Marie posed
on the steps of her little home while her dog, Rocky, hid underneath. Her
mother stuck her head out the doorway to reassure me that she and her
neighbours kept a close eye on things. My car would be safe. Marie's little
sister, Matilda, burst out the door past her mother. She wanted in the picture,
too. I showed them the results on the monitor of my Nikon D80. They were
delighted.
"I'll be back this afternoon," I promised,
"and we'll do some more."
The Garavogue, the shortest river in
Ireland, runs swiftly through the centre of Sligo and travels no more than 2
miles before it empties into Sligo Bay. Both sides of the banks on the upstream
side of the Hyde Bridge are lined with restaurants, pubs, and shops. Tables
scattered along the promenade invite outdoor dining to the music of the rapids
that tumble over an escarpment and disappear under the arches of the bridge.
In a by-gone era, the Garavogue fed by
Lough Gill and run off from its surrounding mountains provided power for a
mill. The mill wheel doesn't turn anymore but it's still located just where it
was at the turn of the century. The Left Bank Pub, located prominently on the
north side of the river has kept it as an architectural feature. The huge
geared wheels and shafts of its inner workings are clearly visible from the
inside of the pub. I leaned over the banister on the promenade to view the now
silent race.
After lunch at the Osta, I chose a
different route back to the car park. I followed the north side to the foot
bridge and took a left toward Stephen Street. Immediately ahead of me I saw the
magnificent chancel window of a church. People were entering through a side
door. I followed to quickly discover that this old church of Ireland is now the
town library. I took in the gorgeous window from the inside, spellbound for a
moment at the unique setting. When I turned to leave, I was almost equally
stunned by a sprawling mural on the wall at the opposite end. Columcille, St.
Columba, prepared to do battle over his book.
Coming in the back door, so to speak, of
the car park, I found the children playing in an old horse cart. Matilda wanted
to be in a picture all by herself. With her long red braids and ringlets, she
was irresistible. When it was her older sister's turn, the exuberant Matilda
dove into the cart right on top of Marie. Good natured Marie didn't complain.
She knew what was going on. Thanks to her, my parking receipt was just where it
should be: right on my dash for any passing Garda to see.
Written by Joy Davis - Summer of Travel 2007
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