Posts Tagged ‘Climate Change’

Welcome to Narnia

Tuesday, December 21st, 2010

Who would have thought back in January of this year that come December we would have been snowed in for a cumulative total of four weeks and counting. A whole month in which time community has triumphed over the individualism of the Celtic Tiger. The Irish have come to their collective senses, humour and neighbourliness abound. Three cheers for large amounts of snow, history will show that the Irish were cold snapped to attention during the winter of 2010 and emerged rejuvenated and energised to once again take their place in the sun.

Winter scene, December 21st, 2010, Ballythomas, Co. Wexford.

Today is December 21st, the winter solstice, a pagan time for rejoicing. Tonight we will raise a toast to longer days and optimism. A new Government and a renegotiated deal with the ECB/IMF will kick us off nicely. Meantime a walk in the woods and an appreciation of what really counts.

A Robin.

This mornings snow is different, light and fluffy, it sits like cotton wool on the trees.

Snow covered pine trees, Carrig Wood, Ballythomas, Co. Wexford.

The forest trails are still reasonably defined. It would be interesting to climb Croghan while blanketed in snow. The views from the top would be spectacular. Maybe tomorrow.

Forest trails, Carrig Wood, Ballythomas Hill, Co. Wexford.

Two roads diverged in a white wood, I took the one less travelled by and that is what made all the difference. Ruby enjoyed herself sniffing around. Plenty of deer in the vicinity, but none showing.

Ruby on the point.

A blanket of snow covers the land between Ballythomas and Tinahely. There has been no hunting for a month now. Dixie and Mandy took off for a hack in the woods just to keep the hand in.

Dixie and Mandy, Carrig Wood, Ballythomas, Co. Wexford.

Snow is falling again, there is no dreaming of a white Christmas here. In Ballythomas, Co. Wexford, we are living the dream, and do you know what it’s great.

View towards Tinahely from the viewing point, Carrig Wood, Ballythomas Hill, Co. Wexford.

Nuclear Winter Maybe?

Wednesday, December 8th, 2010

Did they drop the bomb, or maybe an asteroid hit the other side of the world, or did Mount St Helen’s erupt again? In the warmest year on record we have the coldest November on record with Birr, Co. Offaly, registering -16 degrees, for want of repeating, climate change what climate change? I think the media just likes a story.

Carrig Wood on the 8th of December 2010, twelve days after the first snowfall.

Twelve days later snow is still thick on the ground. Today is the 8th of December, the first snowfall started on Friday night the 26th November. At least 18 inches of snow lies on the ground with 6 inches of packed snow and ice on the lane outside, however the thaw has finally started.

Holly berries, Carrig Wood, Ballythomas, Co. Wexford, Ireland.

It is still bitterly cold though. Rocky and Smokey decided to bunk down in their place of work.

Rocky and Smokey in the stable.

Meanwhile Dixie is foraging around the paddock.

Dixie in her paddock.

Canada or Wexford?

Carrig, Ballythomas, Co. Wexford, Ireland.

Partial Thaw

Thursday, December 2nd, 2010

Dumped on again last night, have not seen as much snow since 1982. However around lunchtime a partial thaw set in.

Fiery Larch, Croghan Mountain, Ballythomas, Co. Wexford, Ireland.

Towards Kilpipe Church.

The road towards Kilpipe.

Hungry Sheep at Ballythomas.

Hungry Sheep, Ballythomas, Co. Wexford.

Evening scene, Ballythomas, Co. Wexford, Ireland.

A snowy Ballythomas evening looking south west.

Life in the Freezer

Wednesday, December 1st, 2010

Today is Wednesday the first of December 2010 and it looks like we will have snow on the ground well into next week. A truck load fell this morning dumping at least six inches more on top of the approximately ten inches that was already there. Great fun but hey, this is Ireland washed by the North Atlantic Drift, what’s happening?

View from Ballythomas west towards Tinahely.

Took the dog out for a run around between the showers, both Ruby and Nat had a ball.

Ruby and Nat in the snow, December 1st 2010.

Well I will not forget this birthday in a hurry.

Yours truly crossing the rubicon.

Service with a smile, there are not many publicans who will deliver this level of service. Well done Mylie, stick us on two Guinness and a couple of whiskey chasers.

Mylie Nolan picking up the customers.