✈️ Tuesday, 02/08/2022
Today was finally the day: departure to Ireland! 🇮🇪 Together with my dad and my boyfriend, I headed to BER airport. Of course, not everything went smoothly – long queues, only two counters open, and I felt so sick that I had to step outside for some fresh air 🙄🤢.
At the security check, there were problems with my ticket 🎫, so I had to go through an extra check (super uncomfortable 😅), and to top it all off, the flight was delayed by two hours. I read and tried to sleep, but every time I dozed off, I woke up again with my heart racing.
After landing, things finally went better. Bus, luggage, a video call with my boyfriend 💔📱, and then I was picked up in Kinnegad by two people from the farm. The welcome: dogs 🐶, lots of nature, and Claire, the head of the farm.
After unpacking came the moment when everything felt real: three months in Ireland.
I was completely overwhelmed, made some phone calls, ate a little, and tried to sleep – with limited success 🌙.
🐴 Wednesday, 03/08/2022
My first real working day. I woke up before my alarm – pure nervousness 😅. At 9:30 a.m. there was a meeting, and then we got straight to work: distributing hay. That’s when I realized: I’m allergic to hay. Great start 🤧.
After that, mucking out the stables – first the ponies, then the horses. Physically exhausting, but somehow also pretty cool. At lunchtime, the homesickness hit hard 💔. I made some phone calls, barely ate anything, and was emotionally drained.
In the afternoon, I was allowed to ride along on the tractor 🚜 (only watching, but still exciting).
In the evening, I made my room a bit cozier and got to see the kittens 🐱. Two of them had inflamed eyes and were treated – and I was allowed to pet them. My heart 🥹.
🧹 Thursday, 04/08/2022
Slowly, a routine started to form. Distributing hay, then I was responsible for several stables: mucking out, changing water, spreading shavings.
Later, hay had to be brought to the pasture – and that’s when I realized how much respect I actually have for horses 😬. Still, I managed to do it.
Slowly, a routine started to form. Distributing hay, then I was responsible for several stables: mucking out, changing water, spreading shavings.
🍝 Friday, 05/08/2022
The day started like always: hay, stables, hay. I was allowed to take a short walk with a dog 🐕. Afterwards, I wanted to make fried noodles… without knowing that you’re supposed to pre-cook them 🙈. Result: inedible.
My allergy got worse 😷, so I had to take more breaks.
After work, I grabbed my camera 📸 and photographed the dogs. The photos were so well received that I officially got the task of photographing all the dogs and helping with the website.
I was SO proud 🥹🎉.
🏙️ Saturday, 06/08/2022
Day off – Dublin! 🎉
I was really nervous about bus times, but in the end everything worked out. In Dublin, I bought medication for my allergy 💊, went shopping, crossed bridges (fear of heights says hello 🌉), and bought souvenirs.
On the way back, I of course got off one stop too late 🤦♀️, but was “rescued.”
In the evening, there was a vegan casserole – tasty, but somehow minced meat was missing 😅.
🐕 Sunday, 07/08/2022
Back to the routine: hay, taking care of the animals, cleaning the stables. One dog was very wild at first during the walk, but I noticed that I could guide him with calmness and clarity 💪🐾.
In the afternoon, I took photos and videos of all the dogs and uploaded them directly to the website 💻. A small argument between two dogs was briefly stressful, but luckily no one got hurt. In the evening, I was simply proud of myself.
Sorted website photos, Franki for the night.
