Rain on the coast of Maine

Here on the island nothing but rain and more rain and a lot of wind. The pond across the way is full to the brim.

Ireland has standing stones and Holy wells  and I was curious to go see one set of stones in Derryenver. We set out by way of the stone man where M ordered stones for the driveway and he said take the high road. Well, as it happened we took the low road. A beautiful road that was close to the edge of the cliff and looking out onto the water saw the buoys for fisheries.

spectacular scenery

After we got to the end of this road ended up in a fram yard we turned and came back passing the same farmer on his tractor. When we took the high road we got to the stones only to find that the sign read No Entry and off we went. Was difficult not being in the driver's seat as I would have taken a photo or 2 as it was I did sketch a quick drawing so I knew what the alignment of the stones was.

Another trip took us to Kanturk and down onto the Dingle Penninsula. We drove around Slea Head and Ventry where M went into the potteres and I took some shots of the facinating cliffs.

                                           And from here we drove around Slea Head

Look at these cliffs

From Dingle back to Kanturk and the Arts Festival where I purchased a small painting. Then we headed back to Connemara and the welcome fire.

As soon as the weather lightens up here I will take photos of the paintings done in Ireland and a few done at home since I got back.

Next trip to Donegal and am hoping the photos will load better. I have been having the devils time getting them into photoshop to size and save.

On the road again

Did I say it was cold? This image is one I woke to all too often the first weeks of my stay.

iced over atlantic

We were headed to Omey Island Beach but a quick stop in Clifden allowed me to return a book I had already read and see the stores windows before the shops were officially open. Needless to say I was not there at the heighth of the tourist season.

 

This one was for Shanna and her fox

Back on the road

These sheep seem to always be going straight up

and the land was covered with rocks and ruins and more rocks and ruins

One of the ruins at the side of the road

and here is where I will leave you for now as I am off to a meeting of New England Wax and connecting with a friend in Portland rather shortly for the drive to Boston area ....

Over the pond and back in one piece

Lots of catch up.... I left Maine after a horendous storm that blew a hole in my roof. Lucky for me my neighbor was not only home but had time to patch the roof and alow me to leave in an ok place that the house would be here when I got back. Power had been turned on and was staying on so off I went to Logan to fly to Shannon, Ireland. An overnight flight went smoothly and I was met by M and her dog at 6:30 am. We got the rental car and were off to Connemara. The landscape was different than I had remembered from the time before when I was in the Beara Penninsula. I remembered, then it was all that lush green for miles. We drove through brown and just a hint of the green to come. Un known to me Ireland had just gone through and actaully was not quite done with the worst winter in 40 years. I was soon to find out.

We stopped to purchase a few things, go into an authentic butcher shop where the butcher cut the lamb chops from the hanging meat. The smell of blood flooded my nostrils in a fierce way bringing me up close to the food I was going to eat that night. Then we had soup at the pub. From Letterfrack we headed to Moyard and the stone cottage named Garryowen. Situated on the ocean at the end of a green garden gate facing Tully Mountain. This grew on me to become a favorite motif to paint.

    The Stone Cottage

Heated by one wood stove  in the kitchen area and an open fireplace in my bedroom it was a challege to keep warm in the below average temperatures and wild winds off the water. The garden was still sleeping but the moss and ivy covered alders were old and knarly and looked prehistoric in the evening light.

Ivy covered trees

and

Moss covered alder

Tully Mountain over the Green garden gate

And a dinner of lamb chops and mash I had a brief introduction to turf and the firestarters, filled my 2 hot water bottles, put on pj's, sweater, heavy socks and a borrowed bathrobe, turned on the matress warmer and tried to get warm as the wind howled down the chimney. Thus passed my first evening in the wilds of Connemara.

The fire

To be continued tomorrow