Summer update

Sunset in easkey. It's just so beautiful and peaceful. Even my kids stopped to watch.
We've been down here a few times already since the holidays started in May. Each week hoping that the river would be perfect for the salmon to run upstream. I personally think it's cruel to catch the salmon when they've travelled so far to return their birthplace to spawn but it is so very exciting to see these stunning fish burst free from the water as a glistening streak of silver. To see them means that they have survived all the trawlers and dangers of the sea to make it home.
Rod fishermen are often blamed for the fall in salmon numbers here. But it is something that has been done for hundreds of years. And while I don't believe in the pastime, I also know that one fisherman with a rod can only catch a certain number of fish. He is not a problem. It is the trawlers out at sea, catching tonnes of fish at a time that is depleting the salmon quantities that survive long enough to spawn. Many salmon that are caught in the river are badly scarred from fishing nets that they have managed to free themselves from.  This is a subject that I discuss with my husband regularly and that we both feel really strongly about, to the point where my he returns all fish to the river that he has caught. But just one person won't make much of a difference and each year less and less salmon run the river during the season and soon there won't be any at all. It makes me sad to the core.
I hadn't meant to come in here ranting and raving tonight but do you know what?  I'm so glad that I did because it has made me feel so much better.
Anyway,
Night night all
Rosie xx

An Afternoon In Galway

Lately I have been getting quite a lot of pain when trying to knit or crochet.  I would need to put my work down after only five minutes of work.  My hands cramping. My wrists aching.
So I decided it was time I went to see my rheumatologist in Galway.  About twice a year I need to get steroid injections in my hips and in my feet.  Seriously painful in the feet, people!!  The doc gave me the worst news that any crafter could hear, tennis elbow in both arms requiring at least two weeks of rest. What???  I got the mandatory jabs and left feeling very sorry for little ol' me altogether.

My hubbie had taken the day off work to come down with me as I'm often unwell and in pain after the injections.  I was really glad of the company when I left and it was great to get to spend a little time together on our own. We don't often get the opportunity to just be a couple.

The weather was really bad and there was some very heavy showers. But in between Galway was beautiful as always.

We walked along the the river, amazed at how high it was for this time of the year. It flowed so fast it made us dizzy just walking alongside.

Grey skies threatened us constantly and the rain pounded us when it fell in heavy downpours, leaving us soaked to the core.

This city is so full of surprises and you never know what you'll find around the next corner.  This cafe for example. I think that it is called the Jungle Cafe. An covered outdoor restaurant that looks like it belongs in Brazil more than the West coast of Ireland.

There is some beautiful artworks here and even the shop fronts get painted with colourful and intricate murals.  I felt they won't get to experience the real beauty of Ireland.  My hubby said that he read a report that most tourists don't come here expecting good weather, but still my heart went out to them.

The llittle back streets are a delight to wander down with their small shops and seating outside coffee shops.  It's just a shame that it was for only a brief moment that the sun decided to shine while I took this picture.

These have to be my two favourite shops in Galway.  Twice As Nice sells amazing lace and the most delicate linens and crochet garments.
And Wooden Heart is a place we always stop when the kids are with us. It is a toy shop where are the toys are wooden and vintage.  The type of toys that I would have played with as a child, like dominoes, wooden snakes, spinning tops or wind up mice.  I'm just a big kid and I just have to test out every toy that I can find.

From there we drove out to the little village of Spiddle and one of my most favourite places in the county, the crafter's village.  Here you can meet weavers, basket makers, glass workers, jewellery designers, potters and so much more.  Sadly I was there on a Monday, the day most are closed.

But I did find this little beauty.  They are little glass beads, which is something that I would normally stay well clear of in case I would break or drop them, but they are so bright and colourful, I just couldn't resist.  A little treat for myself since I'm not going to be allowed to stitch for a while now.

Bosca Beatha

We spent this week travelling around after the two fishermen in the family.  And at this time of the year we always return to a little village in Sligo called Easkey.  There is a strange peacefulness that comes over me when we turn down the small coastal road to park a mere five metres away from the waves of the high tide. The sound of the waves soothing and the wind rocking the campervan gently like babes in a cradle.  Even the children love this simple place despite the fact that some say that there is not much to do there.  But we always find ourselves something to keep ourselves busy whether it is walking, cycling or hunting for fossils.

This year there were some new people to meet here.  Not far from us and right beside the sea Shirley, Nin and Co. set up a mobile sauna.  What better way for the surfers or walkers to relax than to gather and chat in the heat of the sauna and then to cool down in the sea.  Brilliant idea!! 

Could you ever think of a better place to have a sauna in the world?

Shirley told me that they also loved it there in Easkey but were going to be moving around the country and Cork would be the next stop.   But you can keep up with them at anamspraoi@wordpress.com.

Here is Nin, Shirley's dog that my kids totally fell in love with, not to mention our dog molly.  Lovable dog she is too.