Distractions

We, like many other households, have had our daily lives upturned. So, in order to distract myself, I turned to the garden which has not had much tlc in the last few years.

As you can see from these pictures it will take some time but hopefully over the coming months it will be transformed. Luckily Kelly, Niall and Pat wondered where I was and when they discovered what I was doing, they gave a helping hand.

Pat and Kelly took pity on me and joined in with the digging.
It looks a mess but we will get there.
These three were no help at all!

Dog training and walking lucky for me can be a solitary task, so we continue to work where there is no one around us.

I hope everyone else is finding ways to stay healthy in mind and body. I would love to hear how you are all coping.

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Preparations for an Irish Wedding – Part 1

Sara and Colm had decided on the date almost two years ago. It seems a long time now. However back then August 13 2016 appeared like a speck on the horizon.

The reason for the long delay is simple, weddings are a popular and huge occasion.  Often finding the correct venue is relatively simple but it is getting a booking for that venue that often slows up the process. Also there is a marriage course to attend, church to book (this can be another tricky thing to get), priest, band, florist etc. You get the picture.

Our bride to be is an artist, Sara illustrated my children’s book: The Runaway Schoolhouse

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This meant Sara knew what she wanted for her wedding. This simplified things for all of us. She and Colm began the search for a venue and the place they chose is in the County.

Durhamstown Castle, is a house with a history. It was built by the Normans back in the 1420’s and retains much of its original features.

The wedding reception would happen in the barn (seen through the archway).

So began the preparations. Here are a few odd pictures to show what was worked on during the past 12 months.

Signs for the roads, a blackboard for the venue (please note Bob’s input – pawprints) and table decorations, sprayed etc.

 

Flowers were planted, in boxes, in flower beds, as you all know the hen night was celebrated, ideas spotted for decorating a church door and most importantly, The Dress found – triple wrapped and protected from those dreaded mice.

All carefully watched by Bob and Ellie.

Garden Delights

All of my hard work is starting to pay off, as the garden is becoming more colorful with each brief burst of sunshine another plant wakens.

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Oops sorry, she was doing her best to get in every shot, so…..

I put her in, Bob, well he was, sleeping. He will catch up with you next time.

Unpredictable Irish Days

Summer has arrived and with it a sense of delight as the garden responds in a rainbow of colours.

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The hot days mean my best buddy Bob potters rather than walks about

ippand is quick to retreat to his or in this case her kennel at the mention of food or ice-cream.

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My other canine buddy has learnt that the water is not always cold which means her swimming in the river sessions are more silent. (Ellie tends to grumble as she swims).

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Bob’s Diary: Peace is sought.

I have a hard life and here is the evidence.Bob with hat one

I was settling down for a pleasant snooze in the afternoon sunshine when she appeared.

fun one

 

 

 

I knew she had a plan

She had it went like this:

fun 2

 

 

You need to play;

 

 

 

 

fun 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

fun 5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

fun 9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then I thought it was safe but…she nicked my hat!

nicking hat

running with hat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eventually there was peace.

Game over

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Until next time.

 

Bob’s Diary: Baby sitting

Maria left early this morning. We suspected something was happening as Sara was with her.They returned with these two,

Pepper

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and his sister Daisy or as I call her Crazy Daisy. She likes to jump at my ears and tail.

daisy

I did my best at getting them to stay still for a picture but it wasn’t easy.

bob with pups

 

 

 

 

Finally I gave up and went for a rest.

bob in shade

Ellie had trouble with them. There was a mountain of balls lying about but the only one they wanted was the one she had in her mouth.

ellie and pepper

So eventually, she went for a rest.

ellie in shadeWe missed them when they went home.