New Year's Day 2021

Here comes the sun - 1 January 2021

The dawn of the first day of 2021 was tinted with a rosy glow and full of promise. The weather was benign with a chill -- but no ferocity. We'd had a week of awful rain and wind, so this respite was welcome.  

Our Christmas had been a rather quiet affair, with only Alex's mother here with us. Christmas Eve we'd had a leg of lamb from the farmer who rents our islands. It was delicious. Lots of presents from family and neighbours but no visits. Christmas Day I cooked my half-price turkey which I had soaked in brine for several hours. It was the best turkey ever. I am now a complete convert to brining. 

We'd seen our nephew Cormac before Christmas and again with his girlfriend Louise on Stephen's Day outside at Ross House where they'd been helping his grandmother with some gardening chores. Such a nice young man and woman. No one can now go inside her house as she is very vulnerable. 

Alex and I had gone walking on the Greenway in Mulranny in a bitter cold gale that day. We thought it would be protected but it wasn't. 

Little did we know that on the morning of January 2 we'd be hearing that several friends had tested positive for Covid-19. I knew of four cases among acquaintances in England but these are the first known to me personally in Ireland. The pandemic has exploded with all the gatherings for the holidays. God help us in the days to come. It was certainly the strangest year of our lives. 

 

Over the horizon shortly after 9 am Jan 1

Mid-day on the 30th Jan

Snow-capped Holy Mountain on New Year's Eve, Jan 31

 

 

 

 

All the rest are from Jan 2 at the top of our land 

Route planning around Ireland

I used Google Earth to plan our trip to Southampton in the UK which never materialized. When a friend asked us to help him plan a circumnavigation of Ireland, I returned to Google Earth to work out the distances around the west coast with which our friend is unfamiliar. This way I could point out the places where there's nowhere to find shelter for big enough distances to worry about the weather. I found it to be really easy but I forgot to get a screengrab when it was all done, so I'll have to do it again. In the meantime, here it is for reference. NOT FOR Navigation. The miles really add up when you have to go in and out into anchorages and harbours.

Distance from Start (not point to point)

Crosshaven to Kinsale                   17 NM

Kinsale to Glandore                       48 NM  (Alt Castletownsend)

Glandore to Sherkin Is                   66 NM

Sherkin to Schull                            81 NM

Schull to Crookhaven                     92 NM

Crookhaven to Bere Is                  116 NM (Alt Bantry - SCH)

Bere Is to Valentia Is                     171 NM (Alt Dingle - marina)

Valentia Is to Inis Mor                   256 NM (Alt Kilrush, Shannon  or Rossaveal, Cashla Bay – SCH)*

Inis Mor to Inisbofin                     302 NM  (Alt Killary Hbr – long way in to anchorage)

Inishbofin to Clare Is                    322 NM (Alt Achilbeg or Rosmoney - Westport)

Clare to Blacksod                          349 NM (Alt Inishkeas in settled weather)

Blacksod to Broadhaven               380 NM

Broadhaven to Teelin                    431 NM (Alt Killybegs in Str S - SCH)*

Teelin to Arranmore Is                  473 NM (Alt Gola Is)

Arranmore to Sheephaven Bay     504 NM

Sheephaven to Loch Swilly           523 NM

Citizen of the world

This week, I took part in a ceremony during which I was granted Irish citizenship. I was one of a thousand people swearing allegiance to a new country, the place we call home.

In some ways it was a bit strange after the years of pledging allegiance to the United States of America as a child in school every day. But I am still American. I retain my US citizenship, which makes me a dual citizen. I am now actually a citizen of the EU and the US, which covers a lot  of territory. Both are democracies so there is no conflict.

In a sense, I've gone full circle. My parents left Europe to make a new life in the US. I left the US to find a new life in Europe. It feels good to be back here where I've found home.

I cannot not write

Books are fun to write, for me at least. Whether writing non-fiction or fiction, I love to get wrapped up in a subject and look at it from the perspective of my prospective audience. What are they looking to learn from me? What will entice them to spend their precious time with me? How can I share my knowledge and entertain a little, too. These are the kinds of questions I ask myself throughout the process. I don't want to let them down, and yet I know I cannot satisfy them all.