February to March 2024, Wind, Waves, Walks, Weather.

 Hello my lovelies, and happy Sunday! I hope that you've all had a good week? I am still down with a nasty cough/cold, so I haven't done much at all. I hate feeling unproductive! I know my body needs to rest, but my mind is conflicted, haha. However, here are some beautiful photos from the end of February and beginning of March to cheer me up. :-)

Sea foam on stones, Pollan Strand.

Low Tide, Pollan Strand.

Sea Foam, Pollan Strand.

I had reached my target of walking 80km for my Women's Aid Fundraiser the week before, when I was still in Shrewsbury, except I didn't realise it at the time. Once I added up my totals so far, and having a few days left before the end of the month, I thought I would see if I could make it to 100km. So I was determined to get out on some longer walks, regardless of what the weather was doing. Luckily, the weather mostly cooperated, and I added another 21.58km over the last four days of February, bringing my official total to 102.03km. I was very proud of myself, especially given my health issues, plus an injured back earlier in the month. More importantly, I raised over €700 for a wonderful cause, thanks to many generous donations from my supporters, woo hoo! Thank you so much to all who donated!

Muddy walk, Mullagh.

Pollan Bay seen from Mullagh.

Standing stones and mud, Mullagh.

Golden Hour, Upper Annagh.

Golden hour and gorse, Upper Annagh.

Lone sheep, Binnion.

Golden hour, from Binnion.

Stunning colours, rainy day on Pollan Strand.

Stormy tide, Pollan Strand.

Stormy waves, Binnion and Pollan Bay.

On the last day in February, I only needed a couple more kilometers to reach an even hundred, so I just took a short walk into the village and visited Nancy's Barn as a reward for completing the Fundraiser. Not that I need much of an excuse to treat myself, haha! In fact, I found out that they were doing a crab claw special over the weekend, so I went back on the Sunday for another treat. I definitely have a weakness for seafood, but as I like to tell myself, I'm also supporting a local business. ;-)

Smug selfie, Fundraiser accomplished!

Prawn and squid starters, Nancy's Barn Ballyliffin.

Well deserved Guinness 0.0, Nancy's Barn.

Crab Claw special, Nancy's Barn.

Looking back over these photos and videos, I am in awe, as always, of the changes in light and colour. These were all taken over the course of a week, but honestly they could all have been on the same day. The weather is so changeable, and while I know others find that annoying, I actually love it. I will never get bored of these views, as they are constantly changing. The season, the weather, the clouds, all make such a difference to the scenery. One minute could bring a torrential downpour, the next will be blue skies and rainbows. The wet pebbles on the shore will sometimes shine like jewels, and the ocean can be any colour from turquoise to slate grey. I've seen Glashedy island looking golden and inviting one moment, and dark and brooding the next, depending on the clouds above. I take a lot of photos during "Golden Hour", since my night-owl habits mean that I'm more active in the evenings, and I love to see the play of light and shadow as the sun moves behind the hills on its way down.

Clouds over Crockaughrim.

Pollan Strand, Golden Hour.

Hooded coats are a must on the Wild Atlantic Way.

I love sharing my photos with you all, and I know you enjoy seeing them, but they never do justice to the real thing. I take a few videos so you can hear the sound of the waves on the shore, but of course, you can't smell the salt air, or feel the sand beneath your feet. I know I'm completely biased. This is my happy place, and I have done so much healing, mind, body, and soul, since I moved here. I know a level of peace here that I have never experienced before. I truly feel like I belong here, as I never belonged anywhere else, in all the places I've lived in my life. I know it's not perfect for everyone, and some people can't wait to get away, but for me, this is a dream come true, and not something I will ever take for granted.