New Year's Eve

The stormy winds and rain have cleared for a moment and today the sun is shining..briefly. 

A grey squirrel is desperately trying to feed from a squirrel proof bird feeder. Today, from my kitchen window, I've seen little egret, jay, gold finches and tits. The little egret is a first and perhaps was blown inland by the earlier storms. 

Getting ready for India. Purchased an international driving permit from the Central Belfast post office so that I can choose to hire a scooter in Goa. The new suitcase is already half full of gadgets plus a tea set. 

Stormy weather

Holidays started yesterday. Helen arrived from England. Dropped into Ikea and bought a couple of things including a large orchid. Tesco offer a collect service where you order online then pick up at a special bay. Makes the shopping much easier. 

We've been doing the rounds of the shops today buying soft drinks and nibbles for guests. We opened the crisps and munched through them....😝

Bill has caved in and agreed to have the central heating on full time. So we are luxuriating in the warmth while the south wind blows hard and stormy. 

Donegal

I'm staying with Rosie in south west donegal. Set out the moth trap last night but caught nothing. This morning as I was putting everything away I managed to break the rather expensive bulb. Careless! 

We set off for the west coast driving through the desolate hillsides covered with blanket bog. In many places the bog had been stripped of its surface and looks like desecration.  The natural bog stripped away for peat by machine.  Bags of peat lying in rows waiting to be taken off the slopes. 

In this area we walked to a megalithic tomb with a wall surrounding the graves. Huge slabs of stone covered several chambers.  On the desolate surrounding bog grazed a few black faced sheep. Perhaps 3000 years ago this land would have been fertile and lush its similar to the Ceide fields in co Mayo. 

Down to Silver Strand at Mhalinn Bheagh. Spied a pair of chough poking in the short grass. They took off, flapping and tumbling in the strong wind - masters of the air. 

Some very heavily striated rocks at the far end of the beach. 

Weekend

After helping a friend visiting from abroad I was not really surprised to hear she ended up in hospital with suspected stroke. She is bright and alert thankfully and waiting test results. 

Our Christmas tree is up and waiting for 8 tables for bridge next Monday . This is a busy week but I've opted to go to Donegal and chill out. This might change if hospital visits are still required. Bridge at a friends on Saturday and NI pairs on Sunday.  Haven't yet found the time to put peter pigots lessons into practice. 

Winter moth

It's the first winter moth I've seen. I wonder what's coming to the trap tonight.  

Much later.....

My mistake was not to check the weather forecast. A very powerful storm arrived early this morning causing trees to fall and threatened tidal surges along the North Sea coast of England. Egg boxes were dispersed throughout the garden and no moths anywhere to be seen. So it's not just a moonless night I need also a windless one! 

First post

I've downloaded a new app which allows me to post from my ipad or iphone easily. It's called BlogTouch for Blogger and is free today instead of £2.99. It inspired me to start this new blog. 

I've started leaving on the garage light to see which moths are attracted to the light. Here is last night's only moth. 

 

Winter Moth