Moving Again!

So, because I am an eejit, I decided to move.

I miss the country, green fields, wide skies, scenery, stinky slurry, midges, all that kind of stuff. Living in town is interesting too, but there's a limit to how long I could tolerate the pub down stairs and being woken half a dozen times a night by drunken street disturbances...and the limit has just about been reached.

Last night I stayed at the cottage for the first time and it was bliss to lie awake hearing only sheep; my ears were almost ringing with the silence! Of course I had forgotten such minor country issues as having to keep plugs in drains to deter slaters and centipedes from visiting, the fluctuations of electricity (do not plug in too many items at once) (very few is too many, I'll let you know the exact number presently) (especially not if you want a shower), how close distant things can sound in the silence, how the wind sounds in the trees by the house. And then there's the usual idiosyncrasies of an old, old cottage, which Carboy discovered before I had a mishap- don't turn on the shaving light in the bathroom because the mirror falls down...

From the front windows I can see mountains and sea, from the back, the old sheds, trees and Benbulben. I took photos but naturally have managed to mislay the cable to upload them from camera to laptop!!! When I find it you will be inundated with photos...

Tomorrow a couple of guys are coming to help me move the heavy stuff, furniture, and the usual junk- junk? I have junk? Golly but you should see the amount of bin bags I filled today, to say nothing of the recycling Middlest and I did yesterday and bags for Oxfam on Monday. For someone who tries to live lightly--- well ha! to that boyo! I does be failin' mighty spectacular like!

And when I'm sort of sorted I'm going to make like Rip van Winkle and sleep for a hundred years!

A Home for Hubert the Hippo

Do yous remember my Hubert the Hippo?

Well he obviously made an impression on my friend's brothers who helped me move the heavy stuff into the wee hoosie, as last night I received a text from same boyos, 'We can bring over the hippo Thursday!'

I'm telling ya, there's nothing like the ambassadorial attributes of a Hippo!!!!


SO! Another friend's husband's uncle has an empty flat in town and as of yesterday morning I am its new tenant! It's beside the river, between two pubs, over an accountant's office and about 30 seconds walk from the studio...God moves in mysterious ways His wonders to perform!

Youngest loves the flat, to me its ok; affordable and available.
Monday I've to pay the deposit, sign the dotted line, etc and on Thursday will move. In between, the place needs scrubbing to within an inch of its life and the wee hoosie packing up. Youngest is rounding up all her friends to help load and unload the boyos' van, with the promise of dinner at 'The Swagman' as payment...might as well turn it into a party while we're at it...sure isn't it the week before Christmas?

Saturday I've to turn in the keys of the hoosie and collect my deposit.

Miracles happen, I'm so lucky!

So is Hubert the Hippo!

Decision Made

Decision made
Marriage over
Moved out
Very sober.

Tiny house
Very old
No garden
Rather cold.

In town
Rooftops
Very handy
For the shops.

Difficulties
Lie ahead
Some weeping
Much dread.

Girls fine
I'll start again
Best wishes,
Amen.

New Improved Pleasant Pheasant Alarm Clock!

We appear to have gone straight from Winter to high Summer here and skipped Spring entirely...not that I'm complaining but the flora and fauna are utterly discombobulated.

Hence the fact that the last few mornings we've been woken at 5.something am by our local cock pheasant standing on a stone outside the bedroom window and screeching his head off. Now I do realise there are many ways to advertise that one is available for an elegant mate but Janey Mac! if we all did that the neighbours wouldn't half complain!

He is rather a gorgeous specimen and I hope he lives long and prospers, but not outside my bedroom window! I suppose though, that if I was as gorgeous as that I'd stand on a rock and advertise myself too...actually, on second thoughts, if I had a speckled chest and long tail I'll be more likely to hide! I tried to get a photo of him this morning and was out stalking him in my PJ's but no luck. Perhaps tomorrow...if Marey Horse doesn't kick him into oblivion first as he was seriously aggravating her this morning and she was snorting and humphing at him big time!

Other news?

BBug is back at school this morning- minus her Easter Geography homework which she left too late to finish.

Dilly is home for a few days. Last week she was finally diagnosed with what's been wrong with her since last August, causing her to fall over, have no strength, and be in almost constant pain- Fibromyalgia, a form of Arthritis. NOT what you expect at age 20.

At least it counts as an official disability so she can have a writer for her exams and extensions for written work. It has brought her 'normal' life to a complete halt though and she is obviously having a bit of bother getting her head around it. Still, at least we know what it is, the alternatives could have been far, far worse.

Travelling Sister returned home Friday safe and sound, looking disgustingly healthy and tanned.

She brought me a Bolivian Doll- its about 5" tall and she says they really do mostly dress like this. Interesting huh?

Big Sister moved house/ flat on Thursday and Friday, just within Dublin, and is delighted to be unpacking all her things which have been in storage since she returned from South America in the Summer.

And the Hub cleared and tidied the shed out on Saturday- not before time, mark you!

So, from snow and gales to high Summer in a fortnight...and I've just answered the phone to my Dad: 'Hello hello? This is the Mountain Rescue- do you know that you have a sheep up on your roof?'

What next!