Tuesday 29 December 2015

An Adventurer Returns

I often hear nocturnal noises that are beyond the sleeping room, as if my ears are parked behind the door and so the other night I was awoken in the early hours by a shrill noise coming from the front garden.  As I became fully conscious I heard a scratching at the front door followed by a thump and then low snores.


I awoke her Ladyship to tell her what I had heard, together we opened the front door and peered out. Her Ladyship on seeing the sight that was before us, said

“I think I’ll get the camera, this is worth recording!”

A very relaxed Hazel

After she had taken the photo I very carefully picked him up and brought him into the warmth of our home.

“Well, Hazel what have you been up to ?” I asked him the following morning.

After a moment he spoke …

“ I was so thrilled to get a new suit of clothes that I took myself off to the river to bathe. While I was there the water sprites told me there was to be hurling match at Sheean, between our lads and the Redcaps from Cornwall, followed by a Ceilidh.

So I crept home, put on me gear and went up to the match. It was a fierce do altogether, for the hurls of both sides were flailing like swords at a battle and it was more than the puc (ball) that was the target!
On they went up and down pitch, as one player was flailed, another took his place. I kept meself well to the rear, the last thing I wanted was to ruin me new clothes. Then all of a sudden a cock crowed and the game stopped.

I interrupted Hazel to ask him “ Who won the match ? ”

“ I knew you would ask that. Nobody won the match. You see for us it is all about playing the game which is important - not winning or losing”  he replied.

Then Hazel continued his story.

The Faery Mound Sheean

“We all went down under the rath for the ceilidh. It was some party, the fiddlers started first and later we danced jigs and reels. Then pipers and bodhran players  started up. When they rested singers, chanters and poets took over. There was plenty of food with gallons of whisky for all. Too soon it was time for the Cornish to return home. As I stood, I tripped and fell on the ley line, only to awake up inside a much larger rath!
There was another party going on but I said to myself “ never mind, I’m with friends.” So I carried on enjoying meself.


I was dancing away with my lively companions, when one of them said “Why hello Hazel, my darling, it’s so good to see you again after all these years. You do remember me don’t you ? I’m Parsley.”

Well, she had caught me on the hop. I scratched me old head trying to recall who Parsley was … then the penny dropped.
“Ah Parsley yes of course, how could I ever forget you?”

“It’s well for you that you have returned Hazel.
I think now is the time for you to take your responsibility seriously”
replied Parsley.

Hazel at The Hurler Stones, Cornwall

“After a few days of partying in the Hurlers’ Rath I decided that it was time to return to Ireland and that a slower journey would be better. So meself and Parsley made our way over to Boscastle where we used a slow, little used ley line over to Lundy Island. There we met with old friends and it was on the island that I took up my responsibility. Parsley and I finally said our goodbyes and I returned home.”

“So” finished Hazel, taking a deep breath, “here we are.”

I said “Pardon me, Hazel, you said ‘We’. So who else is with you ?”

Hazel went to the widow and pointed to the garden as we peered out.

“ That is my daughter Catkin ” he said proudly.

Catkin


28 comments:

  1. Oh oh!! Now what will he do? I mean a responsibility is just that. And a daughter is a big responsibility! I'm looking forward to finding out how Catkin fares with her somewhat...erm...absent-minded father! :)

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    1. Ah'.......... there are a lot of possibilities. Thereby hangs a tale Val :)
      Thank you for your comment.

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    2. I shall be watching for the possibilities as they arise...and hanging on the tales ;) ;)

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    3. Well now if Catkin's mother is used as an example who knows what might or might not occur.

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  2. For few move from time to time, in this time or another, they spin side by side, to go from one to another is a secret, few believe, fewer live, So now you have your daughter :O). This is what I am thinking :O).

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  3. My he's been a busy little soul.

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    1. He is that Janet and thank you for the comment.

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  4. Your grand children must love to visit and hear your tales!!!

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    1. Thank you Gwen. My daughter did when she was small and my grandson is is only five hopefully he will do too.

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  5. Well I hope Hazel takes his new responsibility seriously, goodness knows where all that dancing leads to ;)

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  6. I am sure you bring much joy to your grandchildren with your lovely tales! Hazel made me smile. :)

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  7. Lovely story, Mr.H ... an happy birthday (if I remember right)... did you get my email with the singing cockatiel? Happy new year, friend ... smiles ... Love, cat.

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    1. Thank you for your comment Cat. Don't make me anymore aged than what I am my b'day is a few more days yet.... and no mail received perhaps it was blown away in the storms ! :)

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  8. The folk making noise late in our town are never as pleasant as that

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    1. Hm'n perhaps you might move into a rural area, you know out in the sticks.

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  9. Oliver enjoyed Hazels tale & cant wait to meet Catkin on his next visit & hear her story! Ps daughter as well as grandson still enjoys your tales ;) x

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  10. Happy New year old bean , hoping 2016 will be a cracker xxxxxxx

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    1. The Redcaps join me in wishing you and yours a sparkling New Year xxx

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  11. Oh how I enjoy these posts!
    Happy New Year to you and yours, Heron! xo

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  12. Hazel and Catkin send you their appreciations plus wishing you and your companions a wonder filled New Year !

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  13. Very amusing Mel, Catkin looks very sweet.

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    1. Looks can be deceiving you know :)
      Thank you for the comment.

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  14. Hi Mel - just seen this .. Hazel is great for story telling .. and I see Hazel likes Hurlers ... I should have used Gnome Hazel with beer in my A-Z last year on H for Hurlers ... the F for Faery Mound must be lovely in the warm, dry glow of summer ... cheers Hilary

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    1. Ha'h that Hazel h'm it will swell his head if he reads this, for he likes nothing better than plenty of attention from the ladies !
      Thank you for your comment Hilary.

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