Hello my loves, here are some photos and videos from November last
year. I had now been living in Ireland for a full year, and it was
amazing to look back on my journey. Living in Clonmany was fantastic,
and a great stepping stone for me, but being in Ballyliffin, with the
spectacular views of the ocean, has really felt like coming home. I am
grateful every single day that I get to live here, and am endlessly
inspired by all these incredible views.
View from the Train.
That Monday I traveled back
from Belfast to Derry on the train, which was a treat by itself. The
train hugs the coast line for a lot of the way, resulting in some
incredible views. I took a few videos, (Please ignore the dirty windows,
obviously couldn't do much about that!) and captured a couple of
rainbows, as well as some huge flocks of birds.
Glashedy framed by rocks, and a well timed bird photo bomb!
Moody Skies over Glashedy.
Rainbow over Pollan Bay, with friendly neighbours in the foreground.
Evening light over Pollan Bay.
After I got back to
Inishowen, I was busy catching up with work after my week away in
England, but I also took the time to go on some nice walks and enjoy the
Autumn sunshine, of course! One of the walks, I had stopped to enjoy
the view, and noticed a large bird flying nearby. I thought it was an
owl, and quickly started filming it, but I didn't expect it to come so
close to me! I looked it up afterwards and I think it was a Short Eared
Owl, which is a winter visitor to Ireland. The photo of the owl in mid
flight is a still taken from the video. It looked as surprised to see me
as I was to see it!
Short Eared Owl!
Birds at Pollan Strand.
Flock of birds, Pollan Strand.
Another day, another Rainbow over Pollan Bay.
Blue Skies Over Binion.
That weekend I also put up my Christmas tree!
This is the earliest I've ever put it up, but I wasn't able to do it the
last few years, so I wanted to enjoy it this year for as long as
possible. When I lived in America, it was a tradition for a lot of
people to put the tree up after Thanksgiving, never before. I always
argued that since I wasn't from there and don't celebrate Thanksgiving,
that that rule didn't apply to me. It certainly doesn't now I no longer
live there!
Hello again my lovelies! Here are some photos from the last week in
October and the first week in November last year. Most of that time I
was back in Shrewsbury, so instead of Irish landscape photos, you have a
collection of selfies and other random shots from my trip, but I guess
that makes a change!
I try to go back to England every couple of
months to catch up with family, friends, and of course to see Gareth.
This trip I got to see so many people, including an old school friend I
hadn't seen in years, and I really enjoyed myself. There was also a big
Halloween party in Birmingham that Gareth and I were invited to, as well
as Bonfire Night celebrations with my family. Another night, Gareth and
I went to see the contemporary Scottish Folk band Breabach at Shrewsbury Theatre Severn, which was absolutely incredible. I highly recommend going to see them if you ever get a chance. On the return leg of my journey I stayed with a cousin in Belfast and got to see just enough of that city that I know I need to see more!
Halloween
officially marked one year since I moved to Ireland! That is a huge
milestone for me so Gareth and I went out on a fancy date night to mark
the occasion. So much has changed for me in the last few years, and all
for the better. I know I say it a lot, but I have never been happier.
Being able to live in my happy place and do the things I actually enjoy
doing is truly a dream come true. I recognise how lucky I am, but I also
know that I worked my butt off to be here, and never gave up, and that
is another reason to celebrate. And I'm not done yet! There is still so
much that I want to do and accomplish, but being able to live here while
I'm working on those goals is wonderful. Being in Ireland has been
hugely healing for me, both physically and mentally, and I am inspired
every day by those beautiful views.
Not for a single second have
I regretted my move here. It felt like home instantly, like I always
belonged here. Many people expressed concern about me living in so
remote an area, telling me it's so bleak here, that I'd be very
isolated, etc. I know it wouldn't be for everyone, but for me, it is
perfect, and I wouldn't change a thing. So many people comment on how
well I'm looking these days. I think I am glowing with happiness from
the inside, but on top of that, there are physical differences too. I
have multiple different chronic illnesses that make life very difficult
at times, but since moving here, I sleep better, I am able to exercise
regularly, and I have a healthy appetite again, and all of that shows!
My hair, which for years was alarmingly thin, is thicker than it has
ever been. My skin, often riddled with acne due to my PCOS, has cleared
up completely. I have muscles again and am able to walk for miles
without resting, all while enjoying beautiful views. This move has
healed my body and my soul, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity
to live my best life. Thank you to all of you that have supported me
throughout my adventures, and especially to Gareth, who believed in me
from Day One.
Hello again my lovelies, and happy Sunday to you all! (All three of you that read this, anyway, haha! I appreciate you!) Here are some more photos and videos from October last year. That was a beautiful week, and I took a few long walks, enjoying the Autumn sunshine. As you might have noticed, I tend to take a lot of photos of the landscape around me. (I tend to forget to take photos of family and friends though, so I'm trying to be better about that!) I know some people will say that you should put your phones away and live in the moment, but I belong to the "document everything" club. There are a few reasons for this; One, I'm a creative and I use all the photos as inspiration for my work. Two, I have memory issues due to my illnesses, so I like to have something tangible to look back on. Three, if I didn't take these photos, you wouldn't get to enjoy my views with me! So there, I shall continue. ;-)
Evening Sunlight on Crockaughrim.
Evening Sunlight on Crockaughrim.
View of Pollan Bay from Mullagh.
Evening Light on Bulaba.
Evening Light on Bulaba.
Corvids flying home to roost, Ardagh.
Evening Haze over Trawbreaga and Crockaughrim.
White Horse Waves, Pollan Bay.
Autumn Fields and a Brooding Glashedy.
Wrapped up for another walk.
Afternoon Sunlight on Crockaughrim.
Crab Claws and Chips at Nancy's Barn!
Stunning Double Rainbow over the Green.
Rainbow on the Green.
Glashedy looking black and broody.
Binion in the Autumn Sun.
Afternoon Sunlight on Crockaughrim.
Sea Foam and Stones, Pollan Bay.
Afternoon Walk along Pollan Strand.
Beautiful day to walk along Pollan Strand.
Afternoon Sunlight over Binion.
Carrickabraghy Castle.
Carrickabraghy Castle against the Sun.
Carrickabraghy Castle against the Sun.
Carrickabraghy Castle and Pollan Bay looking towards Tullagh.
