Corofin Show

Yesterday was the North Clare Agricultural Show at Corofin and as the rain stayed off for the whole day we cycled down to join in the fun. Spent nearly an hour watching the cattle being judged and swapping comments with a neighbour (apparently he couldn’t understand a word I was saying?)
Also watched the horse and pony judging and then moved on to the show jumping – meant to go back to see the donkey judging but naturally the programme was running a bit behind time and the pub beckoned. We also stopped in the village hall to see the results of the vegetable and baking contests – all the edible products were protected behind a wire fence for some reason!
On the cycle home, Linda made it up the big hill without stopping and didn’t even need the oxygen cylinder when we got home – although she did insist on a glass of fizz to celebrate!

Time flies when you are having fun!

Not sure what has happened to the time but just realised that it is nearly three weeks since our last blog entry. Have managed some great walks – along the famine road at Mullaghmore, on the green road from Gortlecka to the high common at Parknabinnia and also the green road around Black Head (green roads are used to drive the cattle from A to B, definitely not roads for driving in the MGF, but good to walk on); some new experiences – signed up as volunteers to help with a survey of Daubenton Bats on local rivers ( which means that we get out on river banks late at night with Bat Detectors and head torches…..look out Dan Ackroyd!); Bought a new saw and have cut up a couple of the fallen trees on the edge of the paddock for winter fuel; went to a couple of local festivals – French market in Ennis was very disappointing, Seafood festival in Doonbeg was excellent while the final concert of the Willie Clancy Summer school in Milltown Malbay was incredible!
Had some friends from Edinburgh to visit – who brought generous supplies of Malt whisky and some new music. Despite some wet weather during their visit we still managed another great day sea fishing off Connemara. Also got locked in at Lowry’s Bar in Clifden while the band were still playing.
Am sure there will be more detail on some of these over the coming days but that’s it for now.

An alternative to Big Brother?

(Linda’s first blog entry)
Well we are certainly getting our farmyard education. Keith the farmer called to say he was going down to see the stallion tonight did we want to come. Sure Richard said, see you at 6pm. Being complete townies hadn’t realised it was to take Lucy to be covered for next year. She’d only given birth to her colt Sean (Linda’s naming) 9 days ago! Lucy got taken into the enclosure and the stallion was brought out. Good looking horse, fawn colour with black boots and a black mane. Foreplay was a nuzzle and some gnashing of teeth together, then it was a quick wham bam thank you mam – sound familiar… Lucy stood perfectly still and took her medicine. By the time we left there were another 2 horseboxes lining up outside and we passed another one on the way – that stallion was in for a good night!

The Burren

This really is quite a magical place – particularly when the sun is shining on the meadow at Gortlecka – in the Burren National Park – or setting over the wedge tomb on the high common at Parkanabinnia. I often wondered about the motivation for my Barbican neighbour Dick Butler who would disappear with his rucksack, sandwiches and camera to search out orchids in the English countryside. However having seen the Gortlecka meadow yesterday absolutely awash with the colours of the wild flowers – including literally hundreds of orchids – I think I begin to understand.

World Class Golf Courses

Having been in Co. Clare almost 3 months now, we made our 2nd visit to the local pitch ‘n’ putt last week. It was another beautiful morning, and with only 3 other players a good few holes in front of us, all was peaceful. However by the end of the 18 holes we were 4 balls down, I had collected a number of irritating horse fly bits and the feeling of peace and tranquillity had evaporated somewhat. So don’t think we will be progressing to any championship golf courses anytime soon, in fact the local pitch ‘n’ putt is in serious jeopardy.

Inis Oirr

Managed our first visit to one of the Aran Islands on a hot sunny day last week. 40 min ferry ride from Doolin and a planned 4 ½ hour walk around the island. By the time we reached the half way point we decided it was too hot to continue and retired to the pub for the obligatory Guinness. Managed a bit more of the walk in the late afternoon before catching the last ferry home. Over-riding impression is of miles and miles of dry stone walls.

Gardening

Have spent nearly 12 hours over the last week or so cutting down the nettles and other weeds on the paddock with a borrowed strimmer. Reckon there was about ¼ of an acre of nettles which were over 5ft tall – have to make sure you lean back when they fall. The place is looking very tidy and was fertilised yesterday to encourage the grass. Will have to keep going with the strimmer to give the grass a chance but hope that we have started to get it under control. A couple of weeks good growth and we will have the donkey and horse back again – along with Lucy’s new colt who was born on Monday. Awwww!