We never know exactly where each day will end; camping on a free range duck farm, parked on the bank of a leafy river, lapping up a rose scented village. The Loire Valley has won out over the west coast and it has turned out to be a magical meandering off the beaten track. We move slowly. . . .
In the company of trees
It's late, the sun is filtering through the forest, pouring deep honey gold onto the path ahead. The quality and colour of light transforms everything. In the clearing a group of wise old trees stand in our path, disturbing the earth as their roots burrow to the surface. Camping forces you out into nature, back to basics; the smells and sounds. . . .
The old stones of Southern Brittany
The main driving route to Europe from Ireland is a 20 hour ferry crossing from Rosslare to Roscoff in Brittany. Brittany is very like parts of Ireland with a strong celtic tradition and so we Irish often feel at home here. Our family spent many summer holidays in Carnac when our lads were young. From pottering around shallow pools when . . .
A brass band reception!
News travels fast and when the boat arrived in France there was a brass band out to greet us. Well not us specifically but as we lapped up the news from Ireland that the Marriage Equality Referendum had passed it felt like the whole town of Roscoff had some how gotten wind of it. From very early on Saturday morning it was . . .
Safe and sound in the Bluebells
It's quiet here and in spite of the proximity to the road, it remains wild. Darker than usual, fresh leaves block the sky. At dusk the light filters through at a rakish angle making long shadows and spotlighting the little blue flowers I have come to see. To get to the woods I have to hop a . . .
YES!
I could go on and on, but I really have only one word and it's YES! See more couples in the Pairs Gallery . . .
The mother shaped Hen Blackbird
It's been a busy time for myself and the birds around here. There are a number of nesting families very close by and I am watching their progress from my desk. There's a nest of Blue Tits just above the window, a pair of Great Tits under the granite bird bath, and a number of Blackbirds living in the willows. Out of the . . .
Wabi-sabi and the beauty of imperfection
Every year at least once I remember the lines of this poem. Usually it's during Autumn in the dazzling russets of dying leaves. This year it was while walking in Mount Congreve during Magnolia time. Magnolias were flowering on dark branches and there are some ancient specimens there, but it was the dying petals strewn . . .
A black cat, another road trip and a resounding YES!
Farmyard black cat in the ditch is a sign of luck Around here these border collies are all known as Shep The Cat Shepherd's apprentice says hello Time to fly away for the Chaffinch too One of these days we will be leaving this sleepy patch for a bit of a . . .
Just do it!
Imagine it's a beautiful spring day and you spot a fresh water pool glinting in the sunlight? Imagine wanting to dive right in and feel the water splashing around you, clearing your head and lightening the load? Then just do it!! . . .
