Friday 29th August, 2009. Toadstools Abound.

Morning Coffee

I went to Ann Broderick's for morning coffee at 11am yesterday. Her lovely sister Margaret greeted me with open arms. Ann had just baked some scones! We had them with butter and strawberry jam and they were utterly melt in the mouth delicious. We spent the time in Ann's conservatory which overlooks Lough Graney. It was a misty morning though and kept raining on and off. This is the view:She is further away than we are, up on the main road. This is Ann's house:
The conservatory is on the left, behind that conifer!! It's a lovely house and she has 2 holiday units to let. You can see the end of that building also behind the conifer bush!

It's strange chatting to a nun, but you really wouldn't know Margaret was one, except she is so serene and almost other wordly. It's hard to explain. I took their photo, although Margaret wasn't keen. Pity Ann had her eyes almost closed:
Ann is on the left, sister Margaret on the right.

After a while, another 2 ladies appeared. They were both about the same age as Ann and had held an event to raise money for Margaret to take back to Zimbabwe for her charity. They had raised a lot of money. I was amazed. People here will always support the church or church missionary. Ann was instructed to bring me next time there was a 'do'. More people I will know. My circle of friends is slowly growing. Before I knew it it was 1pm and Jim was wanting me back by then so he could go shopping. Ann put 4 scones in a bag, 2 for 'himself' and 2 for me!! Himself being Jim of course. She blessed me on the way out with holy water. Ann's husband died just 9 weeks after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, 2 years ago and she misses him so much. He looks very handsome from the photos.

Rain

The rain came down in buckets full when I got back
It doesn't really show well in this photo, but you can see how dingy it is!
The bin outside was quickly full and splashing over the top.

It did clear up again fortunately.

Woodland/Lough Graney Walk

When I got back I was full of chat and bounce. Jim didn't really want to go but forced himself in the end and I headed off with Buster to the lake. We'd only gone a short way when the heavens opened and I sheltered under a tree, wondering whether to go back. Luckily it soon passed and the sun shone again, so we carried on. The wood was full of toadstools of all varieties, so naturally I took many photos. I do hope you enjoy them:This was where I was sheltering under a tree. You can just see a rainbow as the clouds were being chased away by the sun.
This splendid bull was in a field we passed, kept in only by some white electric tape.
Here he is with some of his women and children!

Look at that huge neck. I was glad he was sitting down on the way past.

The Toadstools

Large rotting toadstool!
These were on a rotting tree stump.
Toadstool and moss
I loved this frilly one!
Isn't this wiggly one wonderful?
This was a really big patch of toadstools. I went somewhat off the beaten track, thinking I might find some more different ones. Buster and I battled our way through brambles and nettles!
This is a close up of one of the little groups from the big group above.
Moonface!
A bunch of toadstools among the shamrock. How perfect.
I came across these little chaps. I have seen pottery toadstools made like this one.
Look at the pretty row of them.

I'm not sure how many different kinds I found, but quite a few I think.

Lake Photos etc

With all the rain, the rocks Buster and I usually climb on were almost under water.
Bull Rush Reflections

I met up with this little group in the wood. The little boy was excited that he could get to the side of the lake and fish. A short while later he had his trousers, wellies and socks off and was paddling out to fish! They had a very cute little scruffy dog with them, but he hated the water!

I photographed their colourful reflections
My hundredth (or so) shot of the bull rushes.
Beautiful blue skies and blue reflections.
More reflections
Autumn grasses

I paddled round to the rocks and the water was almost to the top of my wellingtons. Buster was a bit shocked by the depth of the water!
The rocks
The blue sky didn't last long

I experimented a bit with reflections today
More reflections
The broken up red boat is under water!
Gorgeous red berries.
Windblown grasses
Super contrasts in this photo. And a bit of blue sky

Black and white reflections
The inside of the remainder of the boat, above water.
The sunlight reflected on the shallow weedy water
Black and white waves
Sunlight reflected in the water behind the purple loosestrife

The sun was low as we walked back through the wood.
The berries of the Arum lily

Evening sunlight through the wood - and below.
the light on the wood floor looked more like moonlight than sunlight.
On the walk home, we were met by Kevin and his herd of cows. We had to retreat to a safe gateway!
This is Buster eating blackberries from the bush.
And again!
At home and the white lilies are almost all out.

I didn't get home until gone 6pm and I thought Jim would be back. He didn't get home until almost 8.30. I was a bit worried. There are a lot of roadworks around Limerick! He had bought some lovely food though, so he was forgiven!