February 2023, Week Fifteen

 Hello my lovelies, how are you all doing? I hope you've had a good week? I have been working on a new creative project recently, so I haven't been out on as many adventures of late, but I still have a few photos to share with you all. I am so fortunate to live in such a beautiful area, with so many things to discover within just a short walk of my house.

Sunset views from the garden.

Sunset over Raghtin Mor, with the Clonmany River in the foreground.

I don't even have to leave the property to have spectacular views! I can see two beautiful hills from my windows, and if I walk across the patio there is a small waterfall and stream, that feed into the Clonmany River, which I can see from the bottom of the lawn. There are so many trees within sight too, and many of them are starting to bud already. My view will soon be much altered and greener as we move into Spring, but I love trees in Winter too.

Stone Bridge over the Clonmany River.

The Road Goes Ever On And On.

I have mentioned before that many people expressed concern before I moved here. The word 'bleak' was used several times. I moved at the beginning of November, and while I spent every Summer here growing up, this was my first Winter here, and people feared that I would find it cold, lonely, and well, bleak! I think you might have been able to tell from my previous posts, this has not been the case for me. There is so much colour to be seen here, even in Winter. The endless play of light alters the landscape so much, and while it is wonderful to go out on a sunny day, I get just as much pleasure from exploring on cloudy ones. You never know when the sun is going to break through the clouds and highlight a certain hill or valley, or when a rainbow will appear before you.

Gorse in Bloom, with Bulaba/Bulbin in the distance.

Wintry Trees reflected in the Clonmany River.

The very bones and history of the land here appeal to me too. There are stone walls that have been in place for hundreds of years, still used to contain sheep. Old cottages remain, though those who lived there are long gone. Other walls have crumbled, and are overgrown with moss, as Nature tries to reclaim her territory. It is no wonder that myths, legends, and fairytales are so prevalent in the Irish culture. Magic feels entire possible here. For myself, I am convinced it exists, though perhaps not in the ways you would expect. I am constantly inspired by the beautiful landscape, versus feeling stressed, depressed, and oppressed, as I did when I was living so far from home. Now, I have the time and energy to chase my dreams, my health has improved so much since I moved here, and I have honestly never been happier.

Mossy Stones by the Clonmany River.

Mossy Footpath by the Clonmany River.

I'd like to share a poem with you, that I just recently discovered. I believe the poet was thinking of Scotland, but his words touched my soul here in Ireland too. He understands.

Freedom of the Hills

By: Douglas Fraser – 1968

Mine is the freedom of the tranquil hills
When vagrant breezes bend the sinewy grass,
While sunshine on the widespread landscape spills
And light as down the fleet cloud-shadowed pass.

Mine, still, that freedom when the storm-clouds race,
Cracking their whips against defiant crags
And mists swirl boiling up from inky space
To vanish on the instant, torn to rags.

When winter grips the mountains in a vice,
Silently stifling with its pall of snow,
Checking the streams, draping the rocks in ice,
Still to their mantled summits I would go.

Sun-drenched, I sense the message they impart;
Storm-lashed, I hear it sing through every vein;
Among the snows it whispers to my heart
“Here is your freedom. Taste – and come again."

Clonmany River.

Clonmany River Walk.

 

 

January and February 2023, Week Fourteen

 Hello everyone, I hope you're doing well? How has February been treating you so far? I didn't get out for as many walks as I would have liked last week, as I was dealing with a flare up from some of my long term health issues. So, it was a fairly quiet week for me, but I continued to work on my new studies, and I've really been enjoying those.

Sunshine through the rain, through the window.

I am one of those people that actually loves rainy days. I may not be able to get out for long walks, but I love to be able to cozy up with a book and a drink, and watch the rain through the windows. Depending on the time of day, I'll drink tea, or have an adult beverage and a snack, and I'll get lost between the pages of my book, or spend time gazing out of the window and daydreaming. In fact, the title of this Blog, Grey Skies and Happy Sighs, is an homage to the happy hours I've spent in this beautiful country, despite the weather. 

Sunset view from the bottom of the garden.

Sunset view from the garden.

I know that a lot of people don't enjoy the rain. I understand that it can literally put a dampener on your plans for the day. But if you are born and raised in a country that is used to this kind of weather, you don't let it stop you! As Billy Connolly said, "There's no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing, so get yourself a sexy raincoat and live a little."

Sunshine through the clouds, over Bulaba/Bulbin.

Sunshine through the clouds, over Bulaba/Bulbin.

I much prefer this kind of weather to that of some places I've lived. I lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico for a while, and people were always saying to me that I must love the desert because it barely rains, and coming from England/Ireland, I must appreciate the change?! That would be a hell no. I found the weather so boring there! Hot and dry in the summer, cold and dry in the winter, with approximately 310 days of sunshine each year?? No thank you! There were rarely even any clouds in the sky to look at, and while I appreciate that many people love that, it was not for me. You know that scene in Hocus Pocus where Winnifred opens the shutters and says, "Oh look, another glorious morning! Makes me SICK!" ...? Well that was me, every day, haha. I even bought a tee shirt with that quote on.

Blue skies over Raghtin Mor.

Where I live, so close to the coast and the very northernmost tip of Ireland, you can experience practically every season and type of weather in one day. So what if it's raining now? In ten minutes the sun will be shining and you can head out and look for rainbows! I absolutely love how changeable the weather is here, it provides variety, and I find it endlessly inspiring. When I'm out walking, I can take a photo of a bright blue sky, then turn 90° and take a photo of a threatening dark cloud. The resulting images look like completely different days, and I am absolutely fascinated by the play of light across the landscape.

A glimpse of the sea on a beautiful day.

Yellow Gorse, Blue Sky.

I find the changeability very healing too. There is something about the mercurial weather moods that appeals to me. As someone who has struggled with depression for most of my life, and who has gone through some traumatic times, the simple proof that the sun will always follow a grey sky, brings me hope.

Clonmany River.

I did get out for a decent walk last Sunday, and the weather could not have been more perfect. Spring is definitely on it's way! The birds were all singing their little hearts out, I could see the leaves of daffodils breaking through the soil, and the very air felt warm and exultant. I found myself walking along, smiling away to myself, daydreaming and planning my future. I am so grateful to be here, in my happy place, and able to experience the seasons change in so beautiful a way.

The edge of the village, looking West.