January 2023, Week Twelve

 Hello my lovelies, I hope you're all having a wonderful weekend? I wanted to share some photos with you from last week, my twelfth week here. I was so pleased to be able to go on longer and longer walks as I healed from my surgery, and take advantage of the weather and the scenery.

Snowy road with Bulaba/Bulbin in the background.

Snow covered gorse.

Clonmany River Walk in the snow.

 

We had a lot of snow at the beginning of the week, so I stayed fairly close to home at first as I was still not quite walking normally, and it was very icy. Later in the week the weather was much improved, as was I, and I walked to Tullagh for the first time. I'm so glad I did, because that day was absolutely beautiful and the the views were breathtaking.

Clonmany River, view from the bottom of my garden.

One of my Robin friends posing for me in the snow.

 

I have mentioned it before, but it doesn't snow here very often, so I love that I've been able to experience it a few times since I moved here! I'm one of those people that really enjoys all the different seasons and what they have to offer. I've lived in places in America where they really only have summer and winter, and I always missed the variations in the seasons where I grew up. Right now I'm loving what winter has to offer here in Inishowen. 

Snowy lane leading to Bulaba/Bulbin.

Clonmany River in the snow.

 

Clonmany River in the snow.

Raghtin Mor in the snow.

View from my garden. I'm so lucky to live here!

I was warned by several people that it would be very bleak here in winter, but I haven't found that to be the case at all, and I think my photos prove that! There is still so much colour here, and the trees may be bare, but I've always loved seeing the skeletal trunks and branches. It also means that you can see more through the trees than when they're in full leaf, so some of the views are even better, in my opinion.

Road to Tullagh Bay.

Clonmany River and mossy stones.

Mud and moss.

Road to Tullagh Bay.

The weather is so changeable here, so the light never stays the same from one moment to the next, which brings out all the different colours in the hills and fields. 

Clonmany River in the winter sun.

Binion Hill and the Clonmany River.

Tullagh Beach from the sand dunes.

Calm waves at Tullagh Beach.

Ireland is famous for being green, and it really is difficult to describe unless you've been here. The photos don't do it justice at all. I find that everywhere I turn is another breathtaking view. In fact, it was very difficult to narrow it down to only 20 photos to share with you this week, but I hope you enjoy the ones I've chosen.

Selfie in the winter sun with Binion Hill behind.

Well deserved pint of Guinness at McFeeley's Bar.

January 2023, Week Eleven

Hello my lovelies, I hope you're having a good week so far? I am still catching up with myself, but I am almost completely healed after my surgery, so I'm happy.
My time in England over Christmas was wonderful, (apart from having a stomach flu, then pneumonia, and then needing surgery for a tennis ball sized abscess!) and it was so good to be able to see family and friends over the holidays again. The last few years I couldn't travel because of Covid, so it meant this year was extra special. Of course, I ended up being very sick for most of it, but my boyfriend took great care of me, and I did get to spend more time with him than we had anticipated. Silver linings, and all that! 

The view from my garden will never cease to amaze me!

The view on my way to the shops is also spectacular!

I was able to travel back to Ireland four days after being in hospital, and it was good to be home again. I'm very lucky to be staying in a gorgeous wee house, surrounded by beautiful views, so I knew I could rest and heal here. I have been doing some online classes and training, which helped to keep me busy, and I think the birds missed me too, so I quickly got back into my routine of feeding them. It has been lovely to be able to watch their antics through the windows, as I had to spend a lot of time lying down and resting. It felt like they were keeping me company. 

New graveyard with Raghtin Mor in the background.

New graveyard with Bulaba/Bulbin on the left.

Towards the end of the week I was able to get out and take a few short walks. I was still in a lot of pain and couldn't walk at my usual speed or gait, but it was lovely to be out in the fresh air and admiring the views again. I am so very fortunate to be surrounded by such beauty everywhere I turn. 

Clouds over Bulaba/Bulbin.

Clonmany River Walk.

Clonmany River Walk.

Gorse in bloom, Clonmany River Walk.

On one of my walks I stopped at The Coffee Barn, a wee mobile cafe run by the lovely Laura. She parks near the new graveyard in Clonmany every weekend, and I highly recommend you stop by for a hot drink and one of her delicious homemade treats. I had a white chocolate and lemon pastry which was absolutely divine, and I also got a yummy piece of carrot cake, since I couldn't choose between the two! You can find The Coffee Barn on Facebook, HERE, or on Instagram, HERE.

The Coffee Barn.

 

White chocolate and lemon pastry from The Coffee Barn. Yum!

Another aunt and uncle came to visit me that Sunday and we had a lovely lunch together. It's wonderful to have family living so close that they can visit often, or if I need anything. I'm usually fairly self sufficient, but it's still good to have backup if needed. As always, when I am writing these posts, I pause and think about how much I love this area, and how happy I am to be living here at last. It has been my dream for as long as I can remember, but I never gave up!

December 2022, Week Seven

Hello again, I hope everyone is having a good weekend? I've had a good week, I've started some online classes, and I am continuing to heal from my recent surgery, so I've been out on some longer walks. I could barely move two weeks ago, so I'm very pleased with my progress!

This is the view from the bottom of the garden where I live!

 

My seventh week here in beautiful Inishowen was a short one, as I left to be with my family for Christmas, but I wanted to share some of the photos with you that I took on my walks. There was still snow on the hills and the air was so clean and crisp. Once again, I'm amazed by how green this country is, even in Winter. I love it! 

I love how green it is here!

The "New" Graveyard, with Raghtin Mor in the background.

 

My view as I walk to the local shops!

So, I took a few walks, and when I got home I would treat myself to a hot chocolate, maybe with a sneaky shot of Baileys in it, and watched Christmas movies while I continued working on Christmas cards and gifts. I also bought a few things at Sinéad's Gift Shop in Clonmany, which is well worth a visit if you're in the area. I tell myself that I'm supporting local businesses any time I'm treating myself. It's not just about me, I'm helping support local! Haha.

Clonmany is surrounded by beautiful hills and views.

Stone Bridge over the Clonmany River.

Sunlight on Crockaughrim and Coolcross Hills.

One of the days that week, while I was sitting at home, I heard an ambulance siren. It surprised me, and I realised that it had been a very, very long time since I'd heard any kind of emergency siren! It was one of those moments where I noticed the stark contrast between where I live now and where I used to live in America. Granted, I am in a much more remote and rural area, but where I lived in Virginia, not a day went by without hearing multiple sirens of different types, as well as gunshots, both near and in the distance. I am so grateful that I am able to live in a place that is so much more peaceful and relaxing. And with all these beautiful views on my doorstep, it is far more conducive to my creativity. I love it here!

A Robin on top of the Standing Stone!

Standing Stone, Robin, Raghtin Mor.

Sunlight on Crockaughrim and Coolcross Hills.

December 2022, Week Six

 Hello again my lovelies, and happy New Year! I hope you're all doing well? I apologise for being AWOL for so long, I had a wonderful Christmas with my family in England, but then ended up being very unwell and needing surgery, so I was away for longer than I intended. I am back in beautiful Inishowen now though, and hope to catch up with myself as I continue to heal and get stronger.
My last update was from the end of November and beginning of December, so I'm going to continue where I left off.

I'm not often up early enough to see the sunrise. It was beautiful! 

My friend Rich left in the early morning of Monday 5th December, and after that I had a fairly quiet week, so I don't have much to tell you. I wrote Christmas cards, worked on a few small craft projects, and went on a few walks.
Later that week, it snowed! Snow doesn't happen often here, and although it was really only a dusting, it was absolutely beautiful, so I took a lot of photos while I was out and about.

Sunlight breaking through the clouds over a snowy Bulaba/Bulbin.

A sprinkle of snow atop Raghtin Mor.

Melting ice with snow in the background.

I love the contrast of green and white here.

I don't remember if I've mentioned this before, but I don't have a car here. It means that I am somewhat limited, but I'm so lucky to live in a place that has so many amenities within walking distance. There are a few shops nearby, and since I am walking, and have to carry everything, I am only buying what I NEED, and wasting less. I really love being able to walk to the local shops and buy local, fresh produce. It's a well known stereotype, but in America things tend to be bigger. Bigger grocery stores, bigger bulk foods, bigger cars to transport things, bigger homes and fridges to store it all... but that also means that there is a huge amount of waste. I made a conscious effort to create as little food waste as possible when I lived there, but I was still guilty of it. Here I am having to plan my meals and shopping better, out of necessity, and I am glad of the change.

St Mary's Church, Clonmany. Several of my relatives are buried here.

Snow on Raghtin Mor.

Snow on Bulaba/Bulbin.

I am jealous of this house and the incredible views they must have!

At the weekend, I was invited to go out on a Girls Night with some of my new friends. Sometimes you just have to dress up, have a few drinks, and set the world to rights. We started in Clonmany, got a taxi to Buncrana for a change of scenery, and then back to Clonmany later. It was a great evening, and we had a lot of fun, although I must admit to not remembering all of it!
Once again, I would like to say how incredibly grateful I am to everyone here who has been so welcoming to me. I have met so many wonderful people and made good friends already. I consider myself very lucky.

Doing my best Scottish Widow impersonation to brave the cold on a night out.

November and December 2022, Week Five

Hello my lovelies, how are you all doing this week? Is everyone getting into the festive spirit? Personally, I love Christmas! Sadly, I spent the last two Christmases alone in America, so I am happy to be able to spend this year with loved ones, and I intend to make the most of it. I have been busy writing cards and making a few small gifts, with either Christmas music or movies playing in the background to get me in the mood. I feel like there there are two things that are guaranteed to make me feel festive; one is seeing the old Coca Cola lorries advert, and the other is Noddy Holder loudly informing me that it's Christmas!

One of several Rooks that has been visiting.

My fifth week here was another great one. The first few days were quiet after Gareth left, I spent most of my time at home, cooking some hearty meals, and also feeding the birds. I love watching birds wherever I live. When I lived in Virginia, I used to get a lot of Cardinals and Blue Jays, and had wrens nesting on my porch. There was also a pair of Bald Eagles that nested in a tree behind my house! Here it's obviously a little different, but still wonderful to watch. So far I have attracted robins, blue tits, great tits, chaffinches, blackbirds, thrushes, pied wagtails, magpies, crows, and rooks. I have been enjoying trying different foods and seeing who shows up. 

Sunset over Bulaba/Bulbin.

On Friday my friend Rich came to visit me for the weekend from England, which was great fun. He'd never been to Ireland before, and although I was only able to show him one little corner of it, I know he loved it. He mentioned several times that he understands why I wanted to live here, and couldn't get over how beautiful it is. It gives me a happy glow to be able to show other people this little slice of heaven, and watch them fall in love with it too.

Grey skies walking over Altahalla.

On Saturday, Rich and I took a walk to the Glendowen craft shop to see Ann and do some shopping. It's a lovely 2.5 mile walk from my house, and despite it being an overcast day, I think the views are still spectacular. As always, Ann was the perfect hostess, offering us tea when we arrived, which was very welcome after our cold walk. She also took the time to give us a demonstration on the loom, where she and others make some of the famous Donegal tweed, which Ann then turns into beautiful items of clothing, or gorgeous blankets. I bought a fabulous hat, made by Ann herself, which I will have to share with you another day, and Rich bought some gifts to take home.

The Loom at the Glendowen Craft Shop.

Grey skies over Bulaba/Bulbin.

We made friends with this handsome fellow on the way home.

 Saturday night we were out at McFeeley's Bar in Clonmany. We had intended on only having a couple of quiet pints, but we bumped into several of my new friends and acquaintances, and ending up staying very late! People are so incredibly generous here, which meant we each rarely had less than two drinks in front of us all night. It meant for sore heads the next day, but it was absolutely worth it, and we loved every minute. Rich simply could not get over how friendly and welcoming everyone is here. It is something I've always loved about the area, but it's nice to see new people witness it first hand, and be touched by it too.

Sun shining on Glashedy Island.

On Sunday we took a walk to Ballyliffin and got breakfast at yes, you've guessed it, Nancy's Barn. I'd never been there for breakfast, and a full Irish was exactly what I needed to help me feel better after the indulgences of the night before. From there we walked down to Pollan Beach and I showed him where my family come from.

Blue skies over Binnion Hill.

It was a mixed day, weather-wise, sometimes there were bright blue skies above us, and other times we got rained on, but the sun was still shining through the clouds. I tried to capture the effect of the sun shining through the rain and mist, but the photos really didn't do it justice. That kind of weather always makes me feel like anything is possible, and is just another reason why I find this area so incredibly inspiring. Ireland has always been a land of myth and legend, and I don't feel like the modern world has succeeded in taking that away just yet. Definitely not here in Inishowen, which is still so wild and ruggedly beautiful. I love this land! It has always felt like home to me, and the past five weeks of living here have only reinforced that. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to live here, and for the welcome I have received.

Sunshine and rain over Bulaba/Bulbin.

The photos really don't do it justice!