An Evening Outing to The Burren, County Clare

The Dolmen at Poulnabrone by Jim


Jim suggested that we should take a trip to the Burren in the evening as it stays light so long now. This was on Saturday and it had been a scorching day. Luckily Buster returned from his wanderings about 5, so we were able to feed the animals and head off about 6pm. I know I have mentioned The Burren before but for anyone who doesn't know about this very special area, here is a link to the Burren centre:


Part of the Burren landscape. The ridges were formed as glaciers moved slowly across the land.

For me, the flora and fauna of The Burren is the main attraction. Flowers not normally put together by nature, live side by side in this unique environment. I have been quite a few times now and never tire of the area.

A few years ago we took Jim's sister to a Cairn at Poulawack on The Burren. There we saw the most amazing array of flowers. It was quite a difficult hike up to the Cairn - but ok if you were careful. We set off to find this again and the signpost which was originally by the track is now just a pole and the access was very difficult. The wall had clearly been built up and a further wall likewise. The cairn is on private land and I can only assume the landowner is trying to discourage visitors. It didn't work with us!

At first we thought there weren't many flowers out, but as we walked further along the track, we noticed many more. What ever time of year you go, the display is always different - and fascinating. I can't name them all, but here is a selection:


There were dozens of wild orchids.


Wild white saxifrage


The Burren is famous for the bloody cranesbill - and this is one.


This tiny white flower shelters down among the rocks.


This dog rose was just coming out. Again, they grow down the cracks in the rocks to take advantage of the shelter offered there.


This is Milkwort, which varies from pale pink to dark purple. I love the colour of this one.


There was lots of Lady's Mantle but it's very small.


The cairn at Poulawack. On our first visit we met some Americans who said 'it's just a heap of stones'! In typical Irish fashion there is no sign or explanation about the cairn. We engaged their 2 teenage children by explaining about the magical flora and fauna. They then spent ages taking photos and getting excited by all the variety of plants. Job done.


Ha ha, we played silly devils with our long shadows. A cuckoo accompanied us for most of this walk!

There are reputedly a lot of wild goats on The Burren, but we had only ever seen half a dozen. This time we passed a huge herd, but when we stopped, they all ran. I did manage to get a couple of reasonable shots:

Some of the males were enormous.

We always pay a visit to the Dolmen at Poulnabrone.

'One of the most iconic Irish images - and the single most photographed monument in the country - is Poulnabrone. This megalithic grave was also probably a site of deep spiritual significance to those who built it. The portal stone of this tomb is aligned towards the rising sun. This is an architectural characteristic of portal tombs.'

It is amazing when you stand near the tomb, to think it is some 5000 years old. The evening was drawing in and the sun setting, so we decided to stay by the monument and wait for the sun to go down. Jim took lots of photos of the dolmen, while I took lots of dandelion clocks. I also sat in some grass and to my horror picked up a load of tics! They were tiny and Jim had to pick them all off me at home.

Here I am waiting for the sun to set


One of Jim's photos of the Dolmen at Poulnabrone. The sun was shining on the underside of the main stone.



The Limestone pavement at sunset by Jim.


The Dolmen at Poulnabrone by me. It's a truly magical place.


A joiner of The Burren hills - please click on it to enlarge to a reasonable size.


One of my dandelion clock pictures.


A 'glory' of orchids.

One last one of a dandelion clock:



We drove back after that, stopping in Gort for burger and chips! What a delightful evening it had been.

ATCs, Gardening, Summer's Come to Ireland

Phew it's hot! Come on, this is Ireland, it doesn't do this hot. Ah well, we'll make the most of it. First it's ATC (artist trading card) time.

Received


This gorgeous one from lolo is R is for Rabbit and Radish! Her whole theme is blue this time and I just love this cute fellow. It came in this pretty organza bag:


and was accompanied by this lovely card:


This is called 'Molly and the Night Toads' and is from the 'Purrmaids' series by Lolo. Isn't it just great?


Lynn is doing the Hebrew alphabet and this is the 18th letter meaning Ninety! She explains on the reverse:


Accompanying this was a cute little card and I think Lynn must be psychic:


Lynn must know that I still haven't finished the curtains for the sun room - ok ok, I'll get a move on Lynn!

To be Sent or Swapped

Firstly, my S for Snake in the Grass. This is going to Lolo!


I hope you like it Lolo.

The following 2 cards are to swap if anyone would like one of them - or both of course:


'Harmony'.


'Funky Fish'

I love ATCs!

Pets


It's all too hot for Buster.


An interloper? The Labrador is Max and he belongs to a couple who live over the back from us. He pops up over the field and meadow and comes to play with Buster! They do get a bit robust at times but it certainly gives Buster some exercise!


Of course he knows which side his bread's buttered. Jim and Buster having a love-in.


Something caught BlackJack's attention! the 2 on the right look the same! Oh well.

Garden News

The arboretum lawn is progressing slowly. Jim has seeded the dark section. It's much bigger than it looks and took some levelling on his part.


The stones that you can see are edging a new bed I made. It was a small bed with just a few plants in it, so it has in face been extended. It looks much better. The 'grey' area will remain 'road' or hard surface. It'll be lovely when the new grass grows.

Do you remember my Judas Tree? Last year it produced blossom for the first time but, because of the awful weather, it all fell off before it came out. Not so this year. Hurrah:


The blossom comes from the bare branches, which looks most odd! The tree was barely a foot high when we moved here so it has certainly grown:


Here it is in situ on the larger arboretum bed.

Jim grew some aquilegia from seed and planted them last year. They are absolutely beautiful:




This is a black one called Guinness! The flowers are a bit smaller than the others but still very pretty. Below is the front.



Do enlarge any of the photos if you have the time.


These aquilegia are from other parts of the garden but are still very pretty.


I love the way the sun has caught the petals.

Finally, I cleaned up our porch, which gets used as a general dumping ground!


Tidy boots and coats.


Our recycling bins!


Tidy shelves! It's good to get it clean once in a while. Jim's just laughed at my putting these photos up! It'll remind me of all the work I did that day!

I think that's enough excitement for one day. I have had a rotten cold, brought back from Kitty and Jack. The sunshine helps though.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Jack's 5th Birthday, Camera Chaos

Jack, aged 5 years with a Ben 10 video.

I went to Suffolk in the very early hours of last Thursday morning and Sam picked me up, with Kitty of course. We did a bit of shopping before heading home.

Jack is now at school, so we went there at 3.30pm and he had football practice after school. The setting is just beautiful. The school building itself is lovely, they have a wooden play area and a gorgeous field for games. They are very lucky children.

We watched the ball games, which were highly amusing. The coaches didn't seem to realise that 5 year olds find instructions quite difficult. The children were numbered 1 to 9 on 2 teams but many of them hadn't a clue what number they were!! I'm sure they'll soon learn but it was great fun to watch and a beautiful day.


Sam and me with Kitty making a break for it!


All in a line defending the 'goal'! Jack is 5th from the right in black shorts and red t shirt.

These 2 photos were taken with Jason's phone so rather small. I borrowed Jim's camera as it's quite small and it behaved very badly. It worked sporadically and the photos I took at the football disappeared! AAAH! Please forgive the quality of my photos on this entry. Many of them are blurred! Ah well, I did manage to get some good little clips of video.



Here Jack was listening to his card from his Grandad Ken (Jason's Dad), which was a Scooby Doo one.

Friday 14th was Jack's actual birthday and he took cakes to school for his class and teacher. Sam made them and they were gorgeous. I had to test one for quality control!

After school, Jack opened his family presents and cards which had arrived through the post. He loves Lego, so it featured highly in his presents.

After dinner, he had a little cake - the main one being for the party on Sunday:


Sam with Jack's cake. Note the photo on the wall of Jason and Jack - one of mine!

On Saturday, we all went out in the morning and headed for 'Toys r Us' so that Jack could spend his birthday money. Wow, what a place that is. Jason took this one of me:


Me riding into Toys r Us - that little girl looked surprised!

Jason and I drove back home to watch the Chelsea v Portsmouth football match. Jason has long been a Chelsea fan. It was a rather tense affair but luckily Chelsea won and therefore won the 'double'. They came top of the premiership league and won the FA Cup. Quite an achievement.

Sunday was the big party day. We seemed to be preparing for it all day! Sam worked like a maniac and went and collected the 'bouncy castle' to take to the village hall, where the party was held. Grandad Ivor and Nanny Maureen came too. I made sure Jack and Kitty were clean and dressed for the party. Here is Jack in his 'Buzz Lightyear' outfit. The theme was super heroes:


I did my best to catch one of Kitty - this is the best I managed:


Isn't she growing?


I rather like this cheeky one of Jack.

The party was a great success. The Bouncy Castle was much used, the food enjoyed and the children well behaved - on the whole! No tears from Jack, which was excellent. Kitty watched the proceedings from the safety of her pushchair.


Jason sorting out 'pass the parcel'.

The children whacked the life out of a pinata and jumped all over it when it finally fell to the floor. Talk about 'Animal Farm'.

A few random shots:


A really cute little girl called Maya.


Smiling dribbling Kitty!



Finally, a short video clip of the children. The noise is deafening!

I had to leave very early on Monday morning. Many flights had been cancelled because of the ash cloud but luckily mine was still running and on time too, so it was back to Shannon to be met by Jim - after a tiring but fun break.