It was a lovely, warming, September day, that month of 1965, and the hills were a great vibrant green stretching far into the distance.
The girls all were excited because they were riding their bikes into town for such adventure. Molly, Patrice, and Bridgit, were cousins who lived close to Newcastlewest, County Limerick. Because they were 11 years old, their moms decided it was all right for the girls to ride their bicycle the two miles into the heart of town, as long as they stuck together.
The girls chose their best dresses and socks to match. They had straw hats to keep the sun off their tender faces. They could fill their water canteens at the village pump. And, of course, they wanted to stop at the Bonne Buche for their lunch. They had saved their gift money and brought every penny they could.
Their ride into town was uneventful. Being little girls they talked the entire way about this and about that. The girls would enter sixth form in a week so they had school on their minds. They all wanted to have Mr. Black as their teacher because they heard he was kind and full of knowledge.
They parked their bicycles around the village pump and decided to sit a while and view the passing parade. They saw the old men playing checkers by the shade of the big elm tree. They saw the lamplighter putting new bulbs in the tall lights. Some small children were playing ball and jacks and having a very good time doing so. A boy was bringing a cart full of apples past them on his way to the green grocers just down the main street.
The sun was high now and the courtyard clock struck high noon. It was time for lunch. The girls walked their bikes to the tearoom and went inside. They saw the Victorian lamps and carpets and décor that fascinated them. They were led to a table with linen tablecloth made at the Belfast Linen Mills. There was a bouquet of fresh flowers on each table picked that morning by the proprietress, Miss Kelly. After looking over the menu they made their choices and ordered.
They each ordered the small sampler plate which consisted of a cheese sandwich, a salmon with dill sandwich and an egg salad, one with grapes on the side. Their dessert would be the fruit trifle made fresh that morning. Everything was served on Belleck dainty dishes.
They lingered for a time drinking their lemonade and enjoying the moment. They still wanted to go to the knit shop and the five and dime. They had agreed to be home by 3 p.m. so they knew it was time to leave the Bonne Buche Tea Room.
They each found items to purchase and still had a wee bit of money remaining in their purses. They each ordered a chocolate ice cream cone and sat on a park bench to enjoy it. They planned a similar adventure for early October so they wanted to save money for that day, too.
They picked up their bicycles and headed home.
They had left plenty of time to enjoy their ride so they lingered here and there to admire the flowers and cattle and trees. They even stopped at the McGregor’s farm and asked if they could pet the newborn Summer calf. Mrs. McGregor invited the girls inside because she had just baked apple pies. But the girls declined any pie because they were so full. They instead, took home a piece for each of them for later.
It had been a most auspicious occasion, this golden day of September. They would each show their treasures when they arrived home. The girls had not forgotten their moms, however, and gave them each a small gift of a linen handkerchief.
The evening was full of stars. The night twinkled amid a full harvest moon. When they said their evening prayers, they gave thanks for each other and for the blessings of the day. Now in their linen nightgowns, with the light of the moon coming in the windows, they bid each other a good night. Bonne nuit.