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.