Just Swanning Around

A short drive from home across a neighbouring county fetched us up into Co. Westmeath

and in particular to Lough Ennell

Where we were greeted by a whiteness of swans who were busily preening themselves.

The way in which this pair were acting towards each other strongly suggested that 

there would be some hanky-panky between them later !

Much the same with this pair too !

Later that night I just happened to be outside when I saw a red moon rising.

In the short time it took to reach my camera the redness had faded to a rich gold.

Then became banana coloured

and just before it disappeared behind some cloud the red began to return,

by which time I had become quite chilled so I returned to the fire that blazed in the stove.

SUNNY SUNDAY

We had ourselves a day out to Kinvara once again on Sunday. Because of the impending snowy weather, which I am not looking forward too and if it were in my power it would not be happening anywhere near me, we escaped to make the most of the good weather while it lasted.

The day was absolutely gorgeous with wall to wall sunshine

and not too cold either, just a little over 8 deg C.

A day of hardly any sea breezes, lots of parked cars and hardly any people.

This mosaic was adhered to one of the harbour buildings and she caught my eye,

this red haired woman playing a fiddle.

A motherly swan feeding on pinkeens (small fish) in the company of seagulls.

This was just a lucky shot - catching her with her head down in range of the camera!

There was something about this sloop, it kept catching my eye,

perhaps it was the reflection on the water or its snug berth?

I found out later that the occupants of most of the cars were tucked away in a local

restaurant listening to a jazz band, I was not tempted... for such sunny 

weather in February is a rarity not to be missed.

Take care all of you and keep warm !

RELAXED at LOUGH ENNELL

When words are no longer required...

A Westmeath Lough

The other day we took off on our travels again, northwards this time instead of westerly or even southerly. Still though the hunger remained within us to learn more about the area we were visiting and we agreed that a return trips must be made to slake our thirst.

You have probably have heard about the Children of Lír or at least have read one of the many tales, for they are as numerous as the fleas on a dogs back.

Well here is another.

The story of the Children of Lír is one of the best known tales of Ireland. This story tells of Lir and his wife Aobh and their four children called Aodh, Fionnghuala, Fiachra and Conn. Lír's wife died and he married again. His new wife was called Aoife and she became the children's stepmother. At first she loved them dearly but after a time she grew jealous of their father's affection for them.

One day she bore them away and put them under a spell. They were turned into four white swans at Lough Derravarragh in County Westmeath. They remained there for four hundred years. Then they flew away and settled on the Sea of Moyle between Ireland and Scotland, where they stayed for three hundred years in cold and misery. From there they spent three years in Erris, County Mayo where they endured even further sorrow.

At the end of that time they returned to their old home at Sídh Fionnachaidh in County Armagh. Their father was long dead and the place was desolate and empty. They flew off again to Erris and there met the Christian Missionary, St. Mochaomhóg who treated them with great kindness.

At last their period of enchantment came to an end and they were turned into three withered old men and an old woman. The saint baptised them, they died peacefully and were buried together.
© CARLOW COUNTY LIBRARY

Lough Derravarragh in stormy light.

The notice half hidden by a precious/precocious land owner say's 'No Entry'

Forgetting that the fit can easily leap the wall!

Stuck amongst the reeds - how embarrassing !

Reed beds are a plenty on these lake shores

and I like their reflected images.

The Yellow Water Lilies could be the children of Lír reborn as flowers?

In nearby Castlepollard stands what to my mind is a grotesque impersonation of The Children of Lír. What are your thoughts ?

I have been caught fiddling again.

A special Welcome to the viewers

from Mauritius

thank you for visiting.