A Long Time Coming

Its been a long time coming. It is now into the first week of May, a time when normally the country would be in full bloom. Lush grass in the fields and boasting rights to the first farmer in the parish to cut his first cut of silage.
This year has been different. Its been cold and windy. The North wind has seldom stopped blowing. Average temperatures are many degrees below normal. Growth is 3 to 4 weeks behind. As are flowers.
Our early Tulips, which normally would have returned to slumber at this time, are in full bloom

We would often have sweet peas in bloom now, but they are as below

And carrots have just been sown, over 4 weeks late.

Farmers have had a really tough time. Fodder has been imported from the UK and France and milk yields in particular, are down significantly. This is really unfortunate as once dropped they are unlikely to recover. Hense loss of earnings.

On the positive side, the dawn chorus is now majestic. The days are longer and the light is much brighter. I really think the light has an affect on the psyche. The bright, vibrant light of late Spring into Summer brings a new energy. Young men feel the sap rising and old men are reminded of the memory.

So on we go.  Forever hopeful, looking forward, grateful for the support of neighbors and friends.

Surely the Summer will be long and warm. Like it was in the old days.

Water

I took a walk last week on forestry paths running along the base of the Knockmealdown Mountains.
The weather had been very wet for the previous few days. New streams had popped up, and older established waterways were in an extra hurry.

Amazingly these mountains were formed 260 million years ago          ( give or take a few years). Locals say it happened on the 14th of October, though proof is scarce.
At the foot of the highest peak, called Knocnmealdown lie two corrie lakes. And they have been around for a few years as well ( about 12,000 years, locals are unsure of the  exact date.)
The photo above shows the Knockmealdown, while in that below, hopefully, you can see where the stream leaves the lake.

I stood on a pathway, watching and listening to the stream as it rushed to-words me, under my feet, then off to meet the River Tar which in turn meets the River Suir and on the to great reunion of the Three Sisters,  Rivers  Barrow,  Nore and Suir,  in Waterford Harbour.
What a great reunion that must be.

Under my feet flowed billions of molecules of water. Each molecule identical, one Oxygen atom combined with two Hydrogen atoms. Complete.
I wondered if there had been a great celebration when that marriage had occurred. Did they recognise one another in the distance and did they celebrate at their union.
How long have they been together, what have they experienced, solid , liquid, gas. Was being  gas much more exciting that existing as ice. Is liquid a good compromise.
Is their being, older that the Knockmealdowns themselves or are they young things, only a couple of million years old.
What would it take to separate them.
Where have they been. Have they travelled the globe as clouds. Were they really disappointed when they met a cold front, and fell as water to the ground below. Or was this the beginning of a new adventure.
Do they have friends and do they miss these friends when they part. Or are they nuclear in outlook, caring only for their own experience, in total obedience to the  forces that determine their being.

Thats just one of billions of molecules of water passing under my feet in  a split second of time.
All with their own story, all perfect in formations, all in total obedience to natures laws.
Even River Dance was never this good.

Makes me think there must be something out there, a phenomenal organiser.

Busy Birds.

 Our Bird Table holds 3 containers of Peanuts.  These have come all the way from Argentina via Germany. Not sure how eco friendly that is, but the birds have not raised any issues.
We also have one container of Niger Seed. Don't know where that has come from, but definitely not " Éirin go Brá"

The birds get through 2 containers a day of peanuts and one of Niger Seed.
Since adding the Niger seed to the menu 2 years ago we have had a huge increase in Gold Finch numbers. This morning I counted 23.
Last year, for the first time we had red poll arriving. We also have great tit, coal tit, chaffinch, green finch ( much reduced in number this year), siskin.  Floating in and around we have blackbird, thrush, robbin, wren, rook, jackdaw, grey crow, pigeon and recently some doves.

The bird table is directly outside the kitchen window. Using a telescope, its possible to really get up close. Add a camera and "walla" some lovely photos.  I intend using some of these photos on our 2014 calendars.

Minutes of Emergency Meeting of Residents Assocation

A special emergency meeting of the local residents association was held on Monday night last 7th January 2013.

The meeting was called at short notice, caused by a rush of blood to the head, by our Chairman MMMattie.
The only item on the agenda was the official name change of the area .

Our area from hence forth will be known as  Lanzarote, Co Tipperary.

MMMattie's proposal was based on the fact that Christmas day produced one of the highest temperatures recorded in 2012. Evidence  supported by  the above photo.

Now being a quick mover, MMMattie reckoned that with the community hall recently painted, it was only a matter of convincing the local pub to wash the glasses before filling them, and , to periodically sweep the floor. Then add in the sunshine, the natural charm of the locals and we could legitimately boast of a tourist mecca.
The icing on the cake would be the new address, Lanzarote, Co Tipperary.

It was a no brainer.  MMMattie was thanked profusely from the floor   ( Tommy , drunk again), the motion was passed and all went on their merry way mumbling " Lanzarote, Co Tipperary.....by gob "

Next meeting will discuss how to get grants to build a B&B.

A Mild Christmas.

Its been a mild Christmas in South Tipperary.

 On Christmas Day it was 10C.

The hills have been a scene of constant change, sometimes clouded in fog and rain, sometimes resplendent in their winter coats. This is a photo looking across the Knockmealdowns from the early in December.

The Boss ......... Developments

As promised.  Well....... time has elapsed, but the boss, while physically recovered "down there", still suffers from the emotional trauma associated with such an event.

Having discussed "the event" with his missus, ( who is a few years older than him, and hence more experienced in the ways of the world) he has concluded that though passion may return, it will be all talk and no action. This, as all will acknowledge, puts a severe damper on a donkeys self expression.

However it being Christmas time, and since one of his mates was responsible for giving "Himself" a lift into Bethlehem, over 2000 years ago, the Boss has magnanimously decided to postpone the final conclusion. Surely if "Himself" could raise a few lads from the dead, he could sort the boss's issues.

He asked that the following photo be included to demonstrate his commitment to the holy Season, though is not yet prepared to show his own face.

The missus, takes pride of place, sporting the Christmas Ribbon.

Good News / Bad News

Lets start with the good news, because of my Irish heritage, we always like to keep the bad news till last, just in case anyone should leave our company in a positive frame of mind.

The good news concerns the Boss.
You may remember in a previous post I recorded the saving of the hay and the Boss's supervision of same.
The final line, again in keeping with Irish tradition ( even donkeys are affected, or should that be infected) issued a request that a shed be built to cope with the coming winter.   Well the good news is that the shed has been completed, and not alone that, but it is in full compliance with the directives issued by the boss.

The Boss and the Missus in the new shed.













Now that's all very fine, but the bad news now has to be relayed.

The Boss has suffered a crisis of confidence. Now he dos'nt want this to be widely known. so keep it to yourself.
You see, one day last week he was enticed into a house in  the farmyard with the offer of some rolled barley Having eaten  the barley, a stranger in a white coat entered the house, with a funny smell from her. Shortly after the boss woke up, not even knowing that he had fallen asleep, and felt a nasty pain "down there".
He has no recollection of what happened, but feels...........well.....different.
The pain has gone now but so has the passion. ( you know yourself what he means, you are an adult)

He likes being the boss and wonders if lack of passion might disqualify him.

He said to say he will keep you posted.

Faithful Friends.

Its cold now...and the birds appreciate a helping hand.

In return they will thrill and amaze











                                                    

Welcome to my land.

It has been a beautiful few days.
Tonight we have a full moon. Earlier it made its dramatic entrance in the East, riding into the night sky accompanied by its sidekick, Jupiter.

Tonight many hundreds, if not thousands of Woodcock and Snipe will use this moon to navigate their way to my parish.

They will come from as far away as the Ural mountains in Russia, a distance of over 4000km.  Travelling up to 500 km in one day, they will take a break to build up their fat levels for the onward journey.
 

                                                         Moon over South Tipperary tonight

               











                                 Me sitting at my computer tonight, they,  on their long lonesome journey.

I wish them safe passage.

Little People on Holidays.

I took this photo at Marlfield Lake near Clonmel.
Got me thinking of the Little People. Cant believe there are still people out there who do not believe in their existance.

Careful now : Don't get carried away

Looking west along the Knockmealdowns from our fields.

Sometimes you get a feeling that the year is trying to make amends for being so crappy earlier.
Or maybe we are just a very forgiving people, or easily bought.

We have had a few beautiful days, early frost followed by big blue skies. When neighbours meet, the first item on the agenda is the lovely day.

Even people who are not on speaking terms, are thawed by the unusual.

I met a friend of mine yesterday. We spoke of the weather and then moved onto other topics. His usual gloom was less dense than usual.
His parting remark left me a little stunned.
As he walked away he turned, called my name and said "You know, if you wer'nt careful you'd feel happy"

Could'nt have that now, could we.

One Moon.

The moon with jupiter to its right over South Tipperary at 6am this morning.
Amazing that this moon is looking down on you as you read this, or if not, will be within 12 hours.
The guardian of the night.

The moon is a bit special to me.
About 6 years ago, my son was living in Colchester in England. We were going through that " I know more than he does" phase and relations were a tad strained.
While on a visit to him we went for a walk. The moon was full and pouring down on us.
Looking up , my son said " Do you know Dad every time I look at the moon, I feel closer to you.
I think you might be looking at it at that very minute, and it makes me feel good"

I felt humbled...........and did a mental check on where I had left my chequebook.

Glad to say both he and his family are now back in Ireland and we both realise we know very little.
Though I still think I know a little more than him.

A Magic Autumn Day

Saturday October 27th was a magical day.  Following our first heavy frost I picked the last rose of summer from the garden. My wife thought I had lost the plot when I presented her with it.  I am not known for my romance.

There followed a day of blue sky and falling leaves, browns yellows, off reds and crimson.
Birds took advantage of the day to remember the spring, and celebrated in song.







Finally, evening came with the days final gift.

The Trials of Management

Summer eventually came. It began on the 30th of August and ended on the 8th of September.

Under instructions from the farm manager, orders were issued for the hay to be cut.

Once cut, all hands were called to the pump. Neighbours were cajoled, pleaded with, intimidated and even threatened to bring the operation to a successful conclusion. Eventually, having been turned on 5 successive days it was ready for tramming ( also called cocking, piking etc depending on where you come from)

 Of course the obligatory photos had to be taken.

And eventually we ended up with this. A glad sight to the managers eyes, who had kept a very close supervisory eye on proceedings.

 

On Saturday the final destination was reached.
All heaved a sigh of relief.










The manager and his missus could finally relax. The winter menu is sorted.

Now if only somebody would build us a proper shed.

 Still we cant expect miracles.

Sat 11th August 2012. Sat morning 6am in my garden

Took this short clip at 6 am on the outskirts of my garden, looking to the rising sun.

Irish Chamber Orchestra at St. Mary's Clonmel

A few days later I went to one of the best concerts I have ever been at. Junction Festival Clonmel had the Irish Chamber Orchestra playing at St Marys Church in Clonmel.
The acoustics were incredible and the music to match.

One of those magical moments in Dingle.

On the 11th of July I called for a pint to Paudies Pub in Dingle. Crowd was small, a banjo player and a guitarist were playing.  They were joined by a stranger to them ( though it must be said, a very pretty stranger).  Soon they played  in that  universal language that is Irish music.
Talking stopped and people listened. A magical moment.  Sound improves a little way into the clip.

A Grand Soft Day.

Wikipedia please note........ Definition of a "Grand Soft Day" in Ireland.

Taken in the " Summer " of 2012.

"Summer" from the Knockmealdowns.

Last evening while taking my constitutional I recorded this clip.
It may be of assistance to those who have emigrated to sunnier climes in confirming their decision. The clip is taken from the foothills of the Knockmealdowns, looking across to where the sun and clouds fight for control of the Galtees.
Music compliments of a nearby stream.

Travels through Connemara

On the evening of th4 25th of June I went down a little track west of Spiddal, to the coastline.
The evening was cloudy and warm. In the distance I could see the the coast of Clare and the Arran Islands. I took this little snapshot as a beautiful trad tune played on the radio.