Thursday 18 August 2016

BEAUTIFUL BLOOMS


The title says it all, for the Slieve Blooms are beautiful, especially when the heather is out. This year it carpets the land with a purple blanket that burns the eyes. We are very fortunate to be living where we do close to Sliabh Bladhma [Irish name]. 
This photo was taken from The Ridge of Capard looking towards the east and on the skyline several ancient sites sit in equal splendour. Different to us in that they are on the tourist route; I am never quite sure whether it would be good to have the same number of visitors as they do or not, it would bring about changes and they are not always beneficial.


The quiet and almost secret mountains.



Part of the Ridge of Capard is an area of scientific interest, to allow access board walks have been laid to prevent damage.


Here I captured two female photographers unaware of my actions.



A proud Grandpa with his Grandson.



A significant full moon marked the end of our family
holiday together and the eve of my daughters' birthday.
We celebrated with Prosecco, gifts and talk that went on past midnight.



33 comments:

  1. Beautiful area and photos! I haven't been there yet but it's on my list.

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    1. Thank you for the comment Bill. Am sure you will enjoy viewing its secrets.

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  2. Amazing panoramic view!!! Could stay up there and look at that view all day, Mel!!

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    1. If you do that Gwen I will bring up the sandwiches and a flask :-)

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    2. Would salmon and cress be ok in your sandwiches :-)

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  3. The heather is out on our moorlands too - we can see it from our kitchen window. It is out for such a short time - but what a sight it is. One of the things \I love about Ireland is the absolute wealth of ancient sites - such fascinating history.

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    1. Thank you Pat and I am sure that the bees enjoy it too - don't you :-)

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  4. Such a calming & magical place, I close my eyes & i'm back there breathing in the mountain air ....
    Maybe the prosecco on the mountain next year to combine a couple of my favourite things ;) ....? X

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    1. Yes, a very good idea Snapdragon :-) except who exactly is going to drive us home ?

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  5. What an absolutely beautiful place. I can almost taste that clean mountain air :-) xx

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    1. It does wonders for the constitution and brings one alive for days, I really enjoy
      going up there.

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  6. Tis indeed a lovely vista my good man, the hills around here too are full of such colour and it certainly does improve the spirits.

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    1. Thank you John and we would not have it any other way ;-)

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  7. I feel very blessed and happy to see these wonderful views. You are blessed to live in the middle of it!!!!! Right now I find beauty in the cloudy sunsets and quiet ripples on the surface of the ocean. Keep us posted, Mel, and I will share some ocean.

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    1. Thank you FT. When I sit up there in the hills am aware of the great connectedness between self and all nature.

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  8. 'A purple blanket' is a great way to describe the heather on the moors. We have heather in bloom here in France but on a smaller scale, just peeking out at the edges of the woodland and verges, a hint of purple rather than a blanket.

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    1. Yes Sue, Heather is a blanket of beauty no matter whether it is the size of a baby's cot or several dance halls.

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  9. It is very attractive, the purple hillside...

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    1. All part of a walking trail too , if you are interested Simon :-)

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  10. Ireland is a marvellous place, last time I visited many, many years ago in my 20s found the countryside entrancing.

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    1. Hello Thelma thank you for the comment and might I suggest that it is time to make a return trip ? :-)

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  11. Your blog looks beautiful, all bright and sunny xxx

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    1. It was a glorious day and filled with happy memories Fran.

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  12. Two things struck me particularly in that post: the flatness of the plain below the mountain and your sartorial elegance. Perhaps I should wonder at neither bur I have never thought of Ireland as being flat. My father loved Ireland and cycled there many times in his youth. I planned to go there twice: once for our honeymoon but both trips were thwarted by one thing or another. It's never too late I suppose.

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  13. Thank you for your observations Graham. The lands flowing towards the east from the Slieve Blooms are not entirely flat so much as gentle undulations. I think the camera can deceive the eye sometimes. Please do make a visit to Ireland.

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  14. Gorgeous, vivid scenery, Mel. How rich the landscape looks with all those beautiful colours. Ireland is a land of beautiful variety, isn't it? I really must return, especially to follow the lovely Shannon river!

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    1. Yes Val you must not delay the visit for am sure it will uplift all of your being.

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  15. PS I do love that photo of you and young Olly!

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  16. Hi Mel - I loved the mountains of Ireland - and their colours: a stunning area that you live in. Beautiful photo of you and grandson ... and then that birthday celebration - sounds good to me! Cheers Hilary

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    1. Hilary, I can only agree with you, many thanks.

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  17. Beautiful landscape and that is a lovely picture of you and your grandson. It must have been wonderful to show him parts of Ireland. Sarah x

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    1. My family visit us every year and it is always such a pleasure to see them.

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