Hi Folks

Yesterday I wrote a long post and intended to insert some photos but the dark deity of IT wouldn’t let me - no matter how hard I tried.

So - I’m going to try again. I’m very persistent.

And - the sun is shining on Ballinamore today. The birds aren’t just twittering - they are trilling liquid sound.

Here goes on the photos.

OK - the dark deities have gone elsewhere and peace reigns.

This is the bridge just down from the Riversdale accommodation. You can hire barges from them and I think he makes them himself. It was lovely on the walk seeing the barges and the boats wandering slowly along. Everyone waves to each other. I’m thinking of getting a single kayak and paddling the canal.

Yup - bucolic scene just outside of Ballinamore and on the walk Pat and I took to Riversdale. Little lambies everywhere - cute but very very dumb.

That’s the Slieve na Eirann (always spell it wrong) mountain in the distance. The iron mountain where you can still see some of the old mine machinery.

It’s also up that way that the autochs lived. The catholics that were herded off their land centuries ago to make way for people the english king wanted. I can’t imagine how hard life must have been - it’s a pretty desolate (and eerily beautiful) place now but I’d still not live there.

Ah - the gorse. It’s like gold on the landscape. It always makes me breath happy to see it. I know farmers hate it but when I see it in such glory - I smile.

This is what I love when roadside verges aren’t over managed and clipped back - you get primroses and in the hedges you’ll see wild fuschia and purple flowers and white flowers (yes - I know you’re all in awe of my technical grasp of horticulture terms !).

And the simplicity of structure leaves my eyes dazzled.

Quiet meandering peace

I love our Irish signposts. Way way back (probably last week) Irish locals used to turn signposts around to confuse tourists. Even with the signposts the right way round it can be confusing navigating the tiny back roads of Ireland. I love it as I enjoy getting lost and the serendipity of the people and places you encounter.

This is my wee courtyard. I had my first ever barbque on Saturday - for one - moi. It was great fun. Local steak grilling with tomatoes, capsicum and onions - a glass of chardonney and the birds singing. Life is great.

The little pink cottage is mine - renting - and it’s so close to lots of great people.

Here’s a partial view of the main street. I’m starting to build a Google map of all the businesses in Ballinamore. I love many of the shop fronts and think it would be interesting for tourists, people that have lived here but live far away now (hi Columba in Wellington), and a micro promotion tool for the town.

Not many of these left. It’s at the small bridge in the main street.

There’s pretty much beauty wherever you look. I love living in Ballinamore and this part of Leitrim is full of quiet beauty.

Come visit some time.

Enjoy your day dear reader. I’m off to play in the sunshine.

Liz