To continue from where I left off last time, hubby and I have left Skibbereen where we spent a wonderful four months and have now moved into our lovely rented house in Allihies in the Beara Peninsula, West Cork. I've probably declared this many times but since our first visit to Allihies twelve years ago, it's been drawing us back time after time to the point where we now know this is where we want to live out a good deal of our retirement years.
Our plan is to divide our time between West Cork and Dublin, probably spending a fair amount of time over the coming months with the family in Dublin because as I mentioned in the earlier post, we are to become grandparents in August.
Each day here brings its own beauty - early morning thick mists wholly enveloping land and sea, horizontal rain with gale force winds and sunshine that casts a golden glow across the fields, coaxing the foxglove and fuchsia flowers into full bloom - all that sometimes in one day! Rarely are two hours the same.
Since we arrived here three weeks ago we've been walking the bohreens and back roads to Allihies village almost on a daily basis and when the swirling West Cork winds permit, we cross the rugged Ballydonegan landscape. For what seems like miles we walk along the cliff edge, where, far below, blue-black waters weave and crash their way between the dark, mountainous rocks. I find it terrifying and exhilarating at the same time.
The first thing I noticed when we arrived back down here after a two year break is that everywhere seems the same, nothing has changed, for that I am so grateful. Not a property developer in sight!
Over the weeks we have made new friends, these two little guys find shelter from the winds just outside my writing room window, usually early in the morning and on warm sunny days, they relax on the lawn with their mother. They're so used to us now that if we come out they just glance up then continue chewing the cud!
I plan to write regular updates on life in our little haven in Allihies.
All images taken by me, June 2013.
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Hi Ann .. good to see you again - and those photos of Ireland and your post bring back memories of a visit I made many moons ago, when a girlfriend (who lived outside Cork) and I travelled around those western coasts ...
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your time - and then of course there's the wonder of new life arriving very soon - the most important part .. have fun - cheers Hilary
Hi Hilary, lovely to hear from you too, thank you so much...I hope all is well with you...I'm so happy that my "West Cork" posts are bringing back good memories...yes, only six weeks to go now 'till the arrival of our little one, it will be such a wonderful celebration...In Dublin at the moment but soon will be heading back to Allihies! Cheers, Ann
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