07.25.07
The rain
I’ve been meaning to say that the rain has not been all bad.
We have loads of rabbits in our garden and field. Normally they dart around the place, taking fright when they catch sight of a human and they are so alert and watchful it creates a state of tension in the garden. However the incessant rain appears to have affected their mood. Now they sit around lazily under the white thorn hedge. It’s much more peaceful. And even when they see you they don’t bother moving.
Also, the cloud formations are truly stunning even to my untrained and usually unobservant eye. With the sun behind them we’ve had amazing skies. So despite the sinister, oppressive shade of green, our chilled-out rabbits and captivating skies are lending a – slower, more contemplative air to the countryside. I’ve been taking deep breaths and rather enjoying it. We’ve got that “soft” as in “soft day thank god” atmosphere. Well, except when there are thunder storms. Which are kinda spooky.
btw, did you know it rains less in the Aran Islands? And the grass grows the whole year because the limestone lets the heat out in the winter?
jane said,
July 25, 2007 at 2:02 pm
I just love the big old fat rain
Eimear said,
July 25, 2007 at 2:15 pm
Didn’t know that about Aran but it makes sense as it would be the mountains in Connemara that cause the clouds to drop their rain on Galway.
One thing about the current weather is that there are hardly any flies although perhaps there are more down the country (where I grew up always had millions because of the grain stores at the co-op).
Paul Newton said,
July 25, 2007 at 2:31 pm
did you make it to that lovely vegetarian place on the top of the hill, where they sit everyone together….? i love that place… it would be perfect if you could get a good steak in it…
Sarah said,
July 25, 2007 at 3:25 pm
Didn’t make it there but had to laugh at this. On the way up to Dun Aonghas there were two young lads – one playing the accordian, the other alternating between the tin whistle and irish dancing. Both were wearing O2 sports jerseys (they were navy blue – some soccer team?) and baseball caps. It was so incongrous. Also, I couldn’t help wondering who they were. I’d say there’s plenty of island politicking about who gets such a prime busking spot (its inside the official area – after you’ve paid your €2.10). They were raking it in.
The income stream on the island was
1. Transport to the island (we flew there €23 single and got the boat back €10)
2.Transport on the island (€2.50 to the village and then €10 to get to Dun Aonghas and back). Bicycles for hire but we didn’t enquire. We know our limits.
3. Food and drink. Prime spot was the coffee shop at Dun Aonghas. The food looked gorgeous. I was tempted but our plans didn’t allow for food at that point.
4. Arts and crafts. Aran sweaters galore. I bought two mounted photographs (€10 each – and I am sure Paddy and Andrew my friends would’ve taken better ones). I nearly bought a wax hat for €31 but got a grip.
5. Bus from Ros a Bhil back to Galway €3 (good value really – nearly an hour journey).
We tried to calculate the island economy. We got the busy 5pm boat back. Three boats left. At least 6 coaches (55 seaters?) collected us and there were hundreds more who had parked their cars there. Let’s say 150 conservative. That’s 480 people on the 5pm departure. It would’ve been the same at 4pm and 7.30pm. Let’s be more conservative and say about 1200 people left the island that day. An absolute minimum spend of €50 per person. And trust me, plenty spent more. 60k- not a bad day’s takings on a Monday before the season has peaked.
Paul Newton said,
July 26, 2007 at 10:53 am
I think everyone who goes there does the sums… they really only have a few months to make thier dough though and it centainly is a lovely place to spend a few days with the family… you can do the bike thing when the children are a bit older… it’s the very best way to explore the island….
Them lads who built Dun Aonghas were a bit mad ted… it’s amazing….surely the easiest fortification in the universe to lay siege too….
I’d feckin hate to live there in the winter! I hope they make enough in the summer to winter on the Algarve.
Sarah said,
July 26, 2007 at 11:21 am
Well apparently their winters are very mild.
I know what you mean about the money though – it has to do them the 12months.
Funny you mention the siege, it did remind me of Mosada. And what about that platform right at the cliff edge? I had visions of maidens being staked out for sacrificial “rituals” and then flung over the edge.
V said,
July 26, 2007 at 11:31 am
Jesus I hope they spend it on somewhere better than the Algarve. They could do a house swap with the Azores maybe?
Graham said,
July 26, 2007 at 11:49 am
I spent a long weekend there last november. It’s THE best time of the year to go see it, if you ask me. For a start there are almost no tourists, so you get a much better sense of life on the Island. The weather was incredible then. It was very mild and mostly sunny. The small amount of rain that did fall was quite peaceful and the light on the island is so good, even on the dullest of days.
Paul Newton said,
July 26, 2007 at 1:00 pm
I have no doubt at all that maidens were flung over the edge.
Also agree with Graham… a few days there in the Winter is the best possible escape from the world you can get…. well maybe apart from a bottle of brandy.
Funny how everyone is so nice to you in tourist places though… i always get the impression they sit around after we’ve gone and go …..SUCKERS…..
Sarah said,
July 26, 2007 at 2:13 pm
here’s an image for anyone wondering http://www.conference.ie/imageupload/Dun_Aengus.jpg
I’ll tellya, its fecken scary up there. I don’t have height issues, but there were people sitting on the edge and crouching down to get good photos and I felt sick watching them. I got to about 10 yards from the edge holding onto to one of the walls. Still get the jitters thinking about it.
Paul Newton said,
July 26, 2007 at 4:12 pm
Nice pic…. c’mere… i just put up a new blog / website at http://www.newton.ie re my work…. will you have a quick gander and tell me what you think…pls..
Paul.
leon said,
July 27, 2007 at 8:27 am
Paul, your website is a great example of why the irish economy is goin’ to the dogs, managers wasting millions on training course for personel, motivational, teambuilding, etc, skills, rather than talking to people and letting them get on with their jobs.
Isn’t Dun Aeongus the one built by the Victorians based on their idealised notions of an ancient briton promontory fort?
Perhaps fina fail could build a fairytale castle on the hill of Tara as the modern irish version, the home of the high king. People have never liked it when history, archaeology and science contradict their imagined versions of the past and present.
Paul Newton said,
July 27, 2007 at 11:12 am
Victorians…. imagined versions of the past and present indeed…
aqs for going to the dogs… thanks.
Leon said,
July 27, 2007 at 4:10 pm
Paul your website is excellent the other leon doesn’t realise that if people are shit at their jobs they can get better with training.
Paul Newton said,
July 27, 2007 at 8:33 pm
Actually just had a gander at Leon’s site….. It’s very witty….
Sarah said,
July 28, 2007 at 7:37 pm
what’s his site?
Paul Newton said,
July 30, 2007 at 10:26 am
Just click on his name……sighs and throws eyes up to heaven.