NOCTURNAL ADVENTURES

I am not in my studio today. Waiting for the paint to dry is an excuse for feeling lazy, due perhaps to my nocturnal travels.

There is a portal in the bedroom that I enter that allows me to visit other realms of life. Last night's journey was to faery and I had some wonderful adventures with those special folk. We went to a hurling match which was quite violent at times, almost like a faery war but not. Did you know that outside of the arena they play their fiddles for the sole purpose of encouraging and enlivening the hurlers ? That was news to me.

After the match I made my way home via a coastal route that took me close to the sea where I saw an old chap fishing with his pole, dressed in colourful clothes and wearing a wooly cap. I think he felt a bit shy because as I watched the colours of his clothing started to fade until all that was left of him was a black outline that pulsated once or twice and then was gone for good.

The fisherman did appear again later and this time he was just an outline of himself sitting precariously (I thought) on a very thin, twiggy branch of a blackthorn tree. This time I avoided staring at him for any length of time in case he took fright again. 

My journey ceased near a mound not too far from where I live and very soon I was back in bed and sound asleep.

So What did you do before sleep

last night ?

75th Birthday

The Ninth of the First is my birthdate and this year it was my seventy-fifth birthday. The celebrations started early on Sunday 7th with a long awaited visit from a friend of longstanding. We met each other in Newtownards in Co. Down in the 80's and little did we know then of how are lives would intertwine over the coming years, or the respect that we have for each from our own perspectives.

Photo taken at 07.10 on 9/1/2018

I thought it only right to circulate this to the majority of my friends and relations

just to let them know that I am a Happy Man !

After breakfasting on a banana each, Mrs H and I set off for points west to Gort in Co. Galway. There we visited our friends who live in a small townsland in a very alternative home. So alternative that they sit next to an unlit fireplace and feel the warmth... !

as do the two small dogs.

Our next port of call was to Kinvara, where we dined on a light lunch in the Gentian Cafe, situated very close to the harbour and which serves great food at reasonable prices.

Then our eyes fell upon a small Gallery and Gift Shop and so being of good cheer and inquisitiveness

we entered. We had fun looking around, admiring the numerous products made by the local crafts people.

We are a Happy Pair

One of my main reasons in visiting Kinvara was to have a paddle in the sea. 

Strangely however, I only ever remember that when I arrive back home. Ah well... may be next time I will remember to do so.

So here I am stood at the harbour side welcoming you all

to one of my favourite haunts

A unique Kinvara Fairy !

On our journey home I received a missed call from an unknown number, which I called back, wondering who it was. "This is Yvonne the florist are you Mel ? " asked a voice.

I said "Yes, but we are on the road, in the middle of a torrential rain storm so won't be home until

a few minutes after five pm."

On our arrival there was the delivery vehicle parked outside and as I stepped towards it out popped this very cheery lady who said "Happy Birthday Mel, I have flowers for you." And then she was gone into the dark rainy night.

Flowers from my friends in Co. Wexford,

the perfect end to a perfect birthday.