Mid February greetings from Cranleymore

Saturday 11 Feb’12

Good day to you all, family and friends!
We woke up this morning with brilliant sunshine creeping past the blind! Now I have to admit it was somewhat late – in Ireland you lose the ability to be up with the birds, it was already past 08h30 , the sun rises just after 8am but being on sick leave and resting we get up when the radio stops that is 2 hours from the first announcement. The sun was só welcome as it has been raining since last Sunday- never hard but with showers in between continuous drizzle. Everything is wet. The pathway around the house is green and slippery, the outer walls of the house are green from the algae and the grass has also changed colour as the moss has taken over. Temperature 9°C . We are ever so thankful that for once we are missing the terrible weather that is coming in from the east. Large areas of England and France are really in the grip of an icy spell and it turns just before it reaches the east coast of England, missing us!
There is some joy in all of this – my daffodils are flowering and I have picked my 2nd bunch, proudly displayed in the big lounge. The crocuses are covering the ground/grass with bright dark yellow and purple flowers- everything is so new and lovely and promises of some better weather in the near future!
All plants in the garden are budding and we will hopefully have fruit blossoms shortly!
Blackie, the cat has changed his sleeping quarters to the donkey house as he most probably finds it too noisy in the shed especially when Barry starts chopping wood! We can just see where he makes himself comfortable on the straw!
We have been honoured by Professor’s presence nearly every evening this week. He loves the dry food where Blackie is very particular and will only eat the dry food if he is starving.
The foxes are ever present just much too clever and knows precisely when Barry leaves the kitchen for the last time in the evening and dash then to get whatever has been left for them!
We also are the proud human parents of the 1st starling babies in the roof of the shed- they are very verbal in their demand for food!
I wish I could record the sound of 100-200 birds singing at one time in the hedge, it is so beautiful it causes you to shiver.
Barry dug the vegetable patch over during the week, it is a big patch and he has to do it in sections, otherwise he gets some tightness in the chest- he has an appointment with the cardiologist in 3 weeks time- but other - wise he is fine. We hope to plant the rest of the onions and will soon visit the garden centres to buy veggie en flowers seedlings.
Last time I visited the physio I was a bit a edgy- I pay a lot of money for a session and all they do – I can do at home as well- after sitting in the waiting room for 20 min, I made up my mind that I will not return. It was quite obvious that they overbooked and had 2 clients for the same time-and one on the table- so when I was eventually called in I made it clear that that I am not happy and that they have not given me the treatment as requested by the specialist and what they do for me- I can do at home. The owner felt a bit stupid but that was true. So I am now my own Physio therapist and do my exercises as prescribed.
I have another 10 days and hope to be back at work then. The pain is 95% gone only some pain when I do a stupid move- and now I am working on it and have already improved- so I am holding thumbs that the shoulder man will let me go back to work! The arthritis is something I have to live with.
We have Radio and TV program one after the other about the sanitation problem of rural Ireland. The 40% of people living in rural Ireland refuse to pay the registration fee and dread the outcome of an inspection. As if that is not enough- some Australian company has obtained a license to do a survey of underground gas and found a large deposit in Co Leitrim bordering the North of Ireland and in Ireland progress, the ability to provide work, is good as long as it does not happen in “my back yard”. It is called ‘frecking’ and large groups of people started to gather in opposition to this drilling process. We will see what happens- the last time SHELL tried to drill for oil in Co Mayo there was enormous problems and it has been revealed during the week that the cost for policing and guarding the Shell works form all kinds of threats cost the country more that €14 million. Just imagine what will happen when they go ahead and try to drill for the gas?
Birthdays! Philip Josling in Dublin has his birthday tomorrow and Barry’s sister in law-Brenda, in England has her birthday on the 13th Happy birthday to you both of you Josie you will bring our best wishes to your Mom.
Any-one else that may have a birthday and I do not know about it- have a blessed day!
Hope that Werner is feeling better and on the road to recovery.
Tomorrow is the best day of my week in all circumstances and I will be in front of the organ again and I just want to remind all in the Midlands of Ireland about our Hymns Singing Service on the 29th April – 3pm- arrange your diary so that you will be able to attend. You have plenty of warning! We would also love to give you a cup of tea afterwards and show our appreciation for your attendance.
I hear Barry moaning that he seems to be the only one living in this house and are not looked after- that is my cue to greet you!
Be careful while driving –does not matter in which country you live- be always safety conscious!
Thank you for photos and letters- always enjoyed and appreciated.
We greet you from Cranleymore where the sun is trying to break through the cloud cover after this morning’s treat!
Barry & Christina