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.