Back with music and flowers

I've been a neglectful blogger of late. I've been meaning to post but life kept getting  in the way. Mostly good stuff, thankfully, but I felt I had to stand back and access my priorities and live in the real world.
Now I've got some time to catch up.
Spring has arrived and with it blossoms, blustery showers, sunshine and cool breezes. Not quite the weather we'd like in May but at least it's not non-stop rain.

I've been to a musical festival. Having gone to the now legendary music festivals at Lisdoonvarna and Ballisodare, as well as the early years of concerts at Slane Castle, I reckoned my festival going days were well and truly over. Camping, mud, crowds, mud, queuing for loos, and yet more mud, no longer held any appeal for me, no matter how good the music might be.
But the Vantastival festival now takes place just down the road in the beautiful woodland setting of Bellurgan Park. It originally started as a get together for VW camper fan enthusiasts with a bit of music on the side. Now the music is firmly centre stage, although the camping is still a big attraction for many as it's a wonderful laid back family friendly festival.  Over the Bank Holiday weekend I saw some great bands - traditional Irish musicians Altan were naturally going to be a highlight for me,  Dublin band The Eskies were a great discovery, while The Twisted Sisters from Co Armagh with their comic songs about big knickers, hormones and love had the audience falling  out of their seats with laughter.  And best of all, I could go home and sleep in my nice warm comfortable bed.

The Eskies

Altan

Cat Dowling

The Twisted Sisters

The Raglans

A Little Note from Me to You

I haven't gone away. I've just been busy...living life. I've been evaluating how much time I spend on line as opposed to actually doing things.  So, I've tried to pull away from the lure of blogging, photo sharing and tweeting, of constantly posting, commenting, sharing.  But I have been reading your blogs, enjoying your words and pictures.
And when life is slightly less hectic I'll be back with some stories and images from the Irish spring,
the fresh green countryside and a fantastic laid back music festival.

Spring Lambs

I love spring. Not just because it heralds the end of winter - although this year the weather remains unseasonably cold - but because the fields around our home are filled with the cutest lambs. And
as the fields fill, so too do my memory card as I can't resist the temptation to take photographs
of these beautiful babies.

My husband, who grew up in a city, can't understand how I can coo over these lovelies and then go home and tuck into a dinner of roast lamb and mint sauce.

With out going into the arguements for and against vegetarianism, I guess my farming background means I take it for granted that certain animals are reared for the table. But I definitely want them to be well cared for and feel, that of all the meat that ends up on our plate, lambs probably have the most natural and careful life of all - although admitted a short one.

Beauty On Our Doorstep

The Mountains of Mourne

The question of where to go on our summer holidays is being discussed in our household at the moment.
However, as the task of deciding on a destination, finding flights and accommodation always falls on me, it's been a rather one-sided discussion so far.
Himself would be quite happy with a Stay-cation - and a real one at that, not moving from home apart from day trips.
I thought about supporting the Irish economy and exploring our beautiful countryside as I'm somewhat ashamed to admit that the average American tourist has probably been to more parts of Ireland than I have.
The teenager wants to go abroad and the more exotic the better.
So there are still lots of decisions and compromises to be made.

Mourne Mountains

If the weather was always as nice as it was at the weekend, I would have no problem with not going abroad. But unfortunately, if recent summers are anything to go by, there's no guarantee of sunshine and every guarantee of rain.

Looking towards Greencastle

Greenore Beach

One thing I do know is that if we decide to travel around Ireland, our dog won't be coming with us.

I had thought that it would be nice to take him as  it would save having to put him into kennels.

However,  although he is perfectly well behaved at home and when going for walks locally, once we go further afield, he forgets all  his manners. The sensory overload of scents and sounds sees  his  training go out the window and, being a strong dog, he pulls the arm of the unfortunate on the other end of the lead. 

Fudge Enjoys A Dip

Still Waiting For Spring

I am growing weary of waiting for spring.  Fed up of wearing my winter clothes. Longing for warmth, sunshine and bright colours.
After a long winter, I want to come out of hibernation, to enjoy evening walks along the beach, to venture into the garden and  prepare for a new season. I want to pack away the winter woolies, the greys and blacks, and bring out the cottons and silks, the pastels and the jewel colours, the dresses and sandals. I want to feel the sun on my skin, a warm breeze in my hair, the sand under my feet.
Instead, winter is reluctant to let go its grasp on the countryside. After a few warm sunny days, it's back to cold showery weather, raincoats and scarves.
But the swallows have arrived. Maybe they know something we don't and perhaps my wishes will come true.
In the meantime I content myself by bringing spring indoors.