POINTS OF VIEW

Since buying my new camera I have found myself becoming rather attached to it. 

There are times when it is not with me that I scold myself especially when I see a particular scene that, to my mind, would make an interesting photo.

So here are just a few of those photographs, things that have recently caught my eye.

The Ship on a Stick.

This can be found on the outskirts of Portumna, Co. Galway quite close to the River Shannon

upon which I doubt very much it will ever cruise again.

A conglomeration of coastal properties that sit under the Burren uplands and on the banks of 

Galway Bay. The smallest of them always attracts my eye.

The Keep

A very well preserved circular building made of local stone. 

I often wonder whether it was once a lot higher, though I guess that we shall never know.

Kiosk Lady

She must have plenty to natter about for she is always there, 

chatting away at all times of the day and night.

Rainbows on the wall

I captured these lads early one morning floating about and looking rather attractive, 

my one complaint is that the pots of gold are nowhere to be found.

Fresh leaves in Sunlight

The scene caught my eye this morning while visiting Mrs H in her studio, 

so I dashed indoors for my camera.

The Dog in the Doorway

How could I not resist capturing the magnificent Toby

guarding the entrance and enjoying the scent of spring.

It is a rambling garden that we have, with worn down paths that flow easily amongst 

whispering wild flowers where bees and other small creatures live in harmony.

WEEDS and THINGS

Looking out from the studio door at weeds and things.

Our ritual circle is blessed with daisies.

The mighty Ash it really is this colour and is the tallest tree in our
garden. In the foreground towards the left a small standing stone
which sends energy into the ritual circle.

A Goddess in our garden close by the Ash, in whose lap gather leaves,
fallen blossoms and berries.

A late blooming Rowan facing north her florets look truly full of goodness

A close up of a cluster of Rowan florets.

TOBY our protector.

In Celebration of June

The oldest Rose in my garden it was grown from
a cutting but not by me, for I don't have green fingers.

A compote of blooms at the southern entrance.
I rarely prune unless they obstruct me !

A mass of Hawthorn blossom behind the studio is grounded by Lilac

She is delicate, pink and runs wild. Her fragrance
 though has a much lower note than the old Rose!

Just as the Lilac grounds the Hawthorn above so too does
a sneaky white flower behind ground the Lilac.

I just had to share with you the sky above us this morning.

A Witch in Training

Over the Hallowe'en weekend Lady H quietly disclosed a secret to me.

It appears that Granny has discovered that Ollie, despite his tender age,

is developing certain family traits.

As you may be aware

Lady H, especially when wearing the appropriate costume,

displays certain magical abilities.

Here she can be seen hovering above the ground.

Young Ollie is now learning his craft.

Calling on the local Faeries to lend their assistance....

and help Granny sprinkle her magic dust.

Lady H tells me that Ollie is a natural

and I say ' yes, but he'll have to loose that skeleton costume.'

An Old Boy's Toy

I have always wanted one of these handy garden saws ever since I saw a friend of mine, Christopher, using one years ago. He had purchased his when abroad (I can’t remember where) all I know is that his was not cheap. 

So yesterday while shopping in Lidl I spotted the old boys toy of my dreams, all for a snip - €2.99 and it looks exactly like the one C had.

The packet says that the saw cuts wood, bone and plastic tubing. I am not a surgeon or a big meat eater and my plumbing is complete so as long as it 

cuts through the prunings that are drying on the patio and dead rose stems

I shall be a happy old boy !

Our Daily Visitors

Our regular morning visitor the friendly hen pheasant.

We place three heaps of cous cous around the garden for those birds who are ground feeders, for their anatomy is such that they are unable feed from the hanging feeders. These birds are the Robin, Thrush, Blackbird and Pheasant.

To prepare the cous cous we put a small amount dried grain into a bowl, pour on hot water and let it stand until it has swollen up. 

Excess water is then strained off with the whole process taking about 5 minutes. 

The cous cous is left to stand until cool before putting it out for the birds.

Mrs H gets great pleasure from putting out this feed as she is eagerly awaited by the robins and a blackbird who follows her around the garden.