tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25203506181114970992024-03-12T18:51:42.825-07:00Linnet in OrielBooks Food Family Thrifting CraftLinnet In Orielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283284636875494288noreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520350618111497099.post-35578496168437447272017-01-28T12:26:00.001-08:002017-01-29T02:04:38.462-08:00January, slow and fast. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is what I see when I am running.</div>
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The rhythms of January are always slow notes for our family, it is a firmly <i>not</i> a time for new resolutions mainly because they are so hard to live up too but more of a time of cosy austerity after the excesses of Christmas. A time of more, not less: more home cooking, more making, more plans for the spring, more contemplation and for me at least more running. Now the next paragraph or will seem like a whinge fest but please bear with me.<br />
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Usually I can find much to love in the crisp linear beauty of January, the subtlety of winter's light but this year I have to confess to finding it hard to appreciate life so easily. In part this is due to the increasingly horrible political developments. Here in Ireland we seem stuck between a rock and a hard hard place, Brexit on one side and foulness of Trump on the other. For example, one of our most successful sectors in our unstable little economy is that of our food and drink exports, the Agri-Food sector has risen for the seventh consecutive year to reach 11 billion. However it has been estimated that Brexit has already cost the Agri-Food industry 570 million. This interests me because I feel a deep connection to the Irish countryside, two of my Great Great Grandfathers were farmers. I want to invest a little bit of money in rural Ireland. I want to live in a country were my children will not have to emigrate to get a job.<br />
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For far too long much of our focus has been centered away for rural Ireland particularly towards FDI. Rural communities have been worst hit from the economic crash of 2008 and the shortsightedness of successive governments. Such communities and therefor the wider national community can only benefit from a growth in trade. Tourism is another woefully underdeveloped sector of our economy. We had to give up on <a href="http://linnetinoriel.blogspot.ie/2016/11/letting-go-running-on-part-1.html">the house</a> we wanted to buy in rural Donegal, there were too many financial implications that could not be quantified, but undaunted we carry on hoping that something suitable will pop up. We have found a beautiful farmhouse built into a mountain but despite it being advertised in every Irish property website and via an estate agent; it seems that no one knows whether the property is in fact <b>for sale</b>. Least of all the selling agent!<br />
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I have also begun the unexpectedly dispiriting process of applying for a job, it seems that my 15 years experience in the bar/restaurant trade counts for nothing as I had the impertinence to take a career break to look after my pesky children. I have spent the last six tears studying for a degree that qualified me for little except volunteering for a non-profit. Hmmm, groan and moan. However, I have been working out all my frustrations on and in my running shoes and eventually have fallen into a running routine. Well, oh my goodness<i> I am ecstatic</i>! I feel like a real runner. I wish I could adequately explain to you the marvelous post-run feeling when bursts of endorphin fall exquisitely down to a wonderful glow of energized well-being. <a href="http://countrysidetales.blogspot.ie/">CT </a>in one of her gorgeous posts describes the lovely 'clean' feeling that one acquires after a run.<br />
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After starting the couch to 5k programme <a href="http://linnetinoriel.blogspot.ie/2015/03/spring-equinox-solar-eclipse-flat-feet.html">ages and ages ago</a> I still have not managed to get up to a continuous 5k however I can run/walk for 7k. This includes the recommended 5 mins warm-up and warm-down either side and the majority of the time is spent running. Next run I must join it all together, of course the difficulty is mainly psychological. For me what is interesting is that no matter what my mood is before the run and admittedly for much of January it has been grey going on irritable with unexpected bouts of tears, after a run I feel tougher, centered, ready to take on what ever life may bring. On the CV I may be an unemployable house wife on the wrong side of forty but when I am running I feel like this, only with better boobs and a top on. 😏<br />
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<img alt="anth5.jpg (320×240)" src="http://webspace.webring.com/people/oa/audrina747/chilipics/anth5.jpg" />Linnet In Orielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283284636875494288noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520350618111497099.post-83736123408783737712016-11-21T02:25:00.001-08:002016-11-21T02:25:30.631-08:00Letting go, Running on. Part. 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have to say if you are ever buying a property, there are many things to consider but the most important is to<b> get a survey.</b> My solicitor says that many clients <a href="http://linnetinoriel.blogspot.ie/2016/11/letting-go-running-on-part-1.html">do not want to bother</a> with this additional expense. I can understand this notion, for sure our Old Lady is still standing despite the ravages of the years and the climate. It is tempting to ignore all the cracks and let your imagination furnish and indeed burnish a dull reality. A survey will certainly bring you down to earth from your giddy joy with it's impersonal conclusions. The survey is catastrophic. Rising damp, damp ingress, wonky chimneys, wet-rot, dry-rot, undefinable boundaries on conflicting maps, a septic tank on third-party land, possibly polluting and only just registered. Family members suck in their breath and subtly warn caution, of great difficulties ahead. Mr S and I initially feel sadly relieved.<br />
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I read the surveyors report over and over, I understand the extent of the undertaking. A builder friend warms of hundreds of thousands of euro. Our solicitor firmly advises us to walk away. We both agree, that survey was the best few hundred quid I ever spent. But she irritates me when she asks, what do you even see in that house, sure you could just build a nice new house. This is absolutely not the point and my contrary side rears up. The Irish country-side is littered from Malin Head to Mizen Head with one off homes of dubious architectural value at best and an affront to logical demographic planning at worst.<br />
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Due to the deep fissures of history and the impact of poverty and emigration we retain so very little of our vernacular architecture. In rural areas such as Donegal, the majority of people would have lived in two or three roomed cottages. Houses and homes that are now barely recognisable as suitable for modern requirements. As a sop to tourism, we have kept a couple though -zoned them off into 'folk parks'. Little quaint remnants of how our Great-Grandparents lived, to visit with the kids on a rainy day and fondly remember from the serenity of our open plan bungalows, from the warmth of our wifi -ed modernist kitchens, while in damp fields other such houses fall softly back into the ground. I trawl the internet looking for a comparable house, trying to establish a value of the Old Lady once restored. I can't find one because there isn't one. Unique. I engage a damp-proof expert to estimate the cost of remedial repair. I know I am irrational, but there is room to breathe in this house, for the children to play outside unsupervised. My running takes on a new urgency, pounding the pavements gives me an achievable goal to dwell on. To my astonishment, I easily complete the psychological barriers that was Week 5, Run 3 of Couch to 5k: I run for a continuous 20min along the river and then run all the way home.<br />
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The estate agent did say it would have been one of the finest houses in the area, <i>a family of school teachers lived here. </i>In response to my solicitors due diligence request for proof of planning permission, the vendors solicitors writes that his Granny built the house in the early 1920's and his mother would sign an affidavit to that effect. The garage used to hold his fathers buses. Of-course I want it more now. The professional expects that I have employed to help us in this enormous financial decision are worth every single euro, their advice is measured and sound. And yet.<br />
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The condition of the roof un-quantifiable until close of sale. The potential infestation of wood-devouring beetles. I look again at all those optimistic photographs we took at the viewing, the house still doesn't look that bad. The two realities don't marry up, is the plaster a paper- thin veneer barely supporting an un-salvageable house, a frustration of vastly expensive conundrums? In my minds eye, I revisit the still empty rooms, my footfall firm on the floor, sketching their lines and re-drawing their beauty. I haven't yet made the fateful phone call to the agent to withdraw from the purchase, she is still mine for the moment. The sign still proudly announces 'sale agreed'. I could have her if I so choose but at what cost?Linnet In Orielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283284636875494288noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520350618111497099.post-88462475131766925472016-11-18T08:18:00.002-08:002016-11-18T08:22:23.302-08:00Letting go, running on. Part 1.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It feels like I have sat down at my computer to write a thousand blog posts since the last one but yet have produced and posted nothing of interest. I have to admit to have been somewhat preoccupied and this preoccupation has left me at times terribly busy and at others numb with boredom. Inert with the effort of drawing down the patience for waiting. Inert with the fear of hearing bad news. It appears that following one's dreams takes a little bit of effort!<br />
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Let me explain myself a little better. While on holiday on Donegal, myself and Mr S found ourselves madly in love - with on first appearances a beautiful shabby old lady, a century old house in a stunning location. In fairness, the estate agent did say on the 2nd viewing, <i>So all the work doesn't put you off? </i>No, we laughed as I ran my hand over the stunning marble art deco fireplace, aware that the room I was standing in had walls crumbling and fragile with damp, the high plaster ceilings criss- crossed with delicate wooden batons which lifted the room height visually even higher but stained with water.<br />
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The kids ran around, mad excited eejits, at once picking out bedrooms and planning to play hide and seek in the gardens and ride their bikes along the quiet country road. Little O planning on going fishing on the river that runs parallel, E where she would put her desk under the eaves. I could see clearly past all the neglect and decay, I could see great over-stuffed sofas, book-lined walls, generous window seats with views out over the mountains, the clink of glasses and the chatter of all the guests we would have to stay. Comfortable bedrooms, a roaring fire and long lazy breakfasts. A proper country retreat. All it would take was a little bit of effort, sure hadn't we done this all already with our own house?<br />
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We put in a cheeky offer. Accepted with thanks. A builder came round to check out and cost the rebuild of the wonky chimneys and the source of much of the damage, Affordable. He said, <i>Aye it is a fair enough house for having been left. </i>Brilliant, we said, here is where the kitchen will go, we will put an en-suit there, we can't wait to pull up all the old sodden carpets and pull the peeling paper completely off. Delighted we asked ourselves, will we even bother with a survey?Linnet In Orielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283284636875494288noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520350618111497099.post-38370350989151023172016-09-26T11:14:00.001-07:002016-11-18T08:24:39.460-08:00What we did last summer.Hello! I have been away from this space for so long it does seem like a novelty to be blogging again. Thank you so much for those of you who popped in while I was away and encouraged me to get back! I can't tell you how much that means. The last few months have been very very busy but thank-fully the last couple of weeks of August signaled a long slow decent into a lovely summery laziness. But where did September come from - I can't believe it is nearly finished? The weather here has been so lovely it has been a little shocking to be plunged back into the Monday to Friday school routine and feeling the season turn away from the sun and into Autumn.<br />
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So, the big news is I finished and passed my degree with a respectable BSc 2:1 which is a higher second-class honours. I finished my last paper on the 31st May and didn't get the results till the 7th July and I can tell you, the waiting was excruciating! By the end I was crippled with compulsive email, Facebook and course site checking and updating, so the relief was palatable. It is indeed a pity that I did not finish my degree when I was 24 instead of 44 but there we are, I would not be the person I am now if not for the choices I made. Better late than ever eh? I am going up to Belfast in October for the degree ceremony and cannot wait to get all decked up in the cap and gown and be presented with my degree from the 'Graduate Presenter' and whoever else represents the Open University at these events. I know it is all rather silly but nevertheless I feel compelled to have my five minutes of swishing around like a proper academic and get my photo taken in a stupid hat. The kids are super exited about it especially as we will be staying in a hotel and seeing the Egyptian mummies at the Ulster Museum. I'm going to have a celebratory pint in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crown_Liquor_Saloon">The Crown.</a> I think I have earned it.<br />
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So it is sad to say goodbye to the summer - but we did have fun. We...<br />
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Celebrated Aunty Momo's beautiful wedding. Congratulations M &S!!!xxx<br />
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Gave the kids their first festival experience at Vantastival 2016.</div>
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These guys below are the brilliant<a href="http://candlelittales.ie/about/"> Candlelit Tales</a>. This month, 28th & 29th they are in the Stag's Head in Dublin (re)telling some of our classic Irish myths and legends for the Autumn with their own brand of charismatic delivery and musicianship<br />
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<a href="http://www.vantastival.com/">Vantastival </a>was held at the gorgeous <a href="http://beaulieuhouse.ie/">Beaulieu House</a> and is a sweet little boutique festival which is very family orientated. We particularly loved all the kids events in the magical walled garden.</div>
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'Discovered' the stunning Lough Ramon, Co Cavan. There were no filters used on these photos, everything really was that colour on that perfect summers day.<br />
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At last we found ourselves on the Wild Atlantic Way in amazing Co Donegal. Now, in the past I have been guilty of completely ignoring this part of Ireland in favour of the more famous, perhaps more touristy spots like Galway and West Cork but as the late great Ian Bank's remarked in The Crow Road, "<i>Sometimes things only come to you gradually." </i>Inexplicably, the fates have conspired to raise Donegal from a dim consciousness of a remote unknown northernmost county that hangs off the edge of Northern Ireland into a gripping obsession. Donegal is really a state apart, it remains part of the historical and legendary province of Ulster but politically partitioned from the UK entity that is Northern Ireland and geographically detached from it's own political 'home' the Republic of Ireland. </div>
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Unfortunately Donegal you are also the home of the national <strike>embarrassment </strike>and country music treasure that is Daniel O'Donnell! Daniel is, I would admit is a somewhat unique performer who appeals to a very particular demographic and was celebrated for hosting an annual massive tea party for all his fans at his Co Donegal home. His relationship with his fans was brilliantly and hilariously parodied in the sublime Father Ted episode, <i>The Night of the Nearly Dead. </i> Donegal was just not that appealing. Anyway, I digress, however for almost a year, for some reason this place has been following me around, friends have been sharing pictures of glorious deserted beaches all over social media all in Donegal, By accident, I stumbled across Sharon Blackie's beautiful writing especially <i><a href="https://theartofenchantment.net/2016/04/21/falling-into-the-lands-dreaming/#more-2108">'Falling into the land's dreaming'</a>. </i>In between all that the news was full of the next Star Wars being filmed on Malin Head, the highest point of Ireland and Charles and Camilla <a href="http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/britains-prince-charles-and-camilla-arrive-in-donegal-amid-tight-security-34744996.html">popped over for the weekend.</a></div>
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<i>Then</i>, I was researching material for a short story idea and wikied up the gorgeous <a href="http://glebegallery.ie/">Glebe House</a>, home of the celebrated English artist Derek Hill (who also tutored Prince Charles) and just in time for my birthday I heard Maggie O'Farrell talking about her inspirations for her latest book <i>'This must be the Place' </i>and that was it! Of course we just had to go exploring. It was too spooky not too! Here is a smallish (self-indulgent) snapshot of what we found there:</div>
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Glenveagh National Park:<br />
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Glebe House</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Wee Library at Glebe House. This place is one of the must see places in the county for art lovers, interior designers/historians and people who just love atmospheric houses. The website does give a good flavour of the riches contained</span><span style="text-align: left;"> in the house. E who appointed herself camera woman for the day was given special permission to take some photos of the interior -usually completely and utterly forbidden-but was so over-awed by the whole experience she did take a single frame! (Much to my chagrin.)</span></div>
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Slieve League Cliffs</div>
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Foothills of Slieve League.</div>
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Have you ever been to a place for the first time and it has felt like coming home? This is what this holiday felt like. Maybe it has something to do with those soft Northern accents, maybe something about the quiet friendliness and easy hospitality of the people. I don't know but I hope that I will be back very soon. I have a hopeful plan. To this end you can now find me on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/linnetinoriel/?hl=en">@linnetinoriel</a> and chuckle at my amateurish attempts to get to grips with that platform.</div>
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Thanks for staying with me till the end, I hope I shall be back here very soon too. Take care and have a great week. xxx</div>
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<br />Linnet In Orielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283284636875494288noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520350618111497099.post-89063624838473120292016-04-08T04:44:00.003-07:002016-04-08T04:46:18.562-07:00Rise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well now, that was a longer than expected blog break. I have to admit to spending the end of February and much of March in a kind of fug. I think I managed to catch about three consecutive and different viruses which left me devoid of any energy, so zero running for all of those weeks! Even walking my beloved dogs became a slow short trudge and my eyes would slowly close every time I sat down at my desk to do any study. Grumble.<br />
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As well as being smothered by the cold, overwhelmed by the amount of work I still have to do in the diminishing time before my degree finishes, I have also had the weight of the expectations of other people placed upon me. Why is it that those who demand such unreasonable expectations of acquiescence from you barely manage to reciprocate those<i> very same</i> standards? Quite depressing and infuriating.<br />
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Now that I have all that off my chest, I am glad to say I am back on top form, yay! I have two runs under my belt this week. Unfortunately, I have gone backwards a few weeks in the couch to 5k plan but reassuringly I don't think it will be too long before I can catch-up and improve. I would love to be able to do a 5k Park Run at the start of summer. In crafty news I have been finding the sockalong hosted by <a href="http://winwickmum.blogspot.ie/">Christine Perry</a> on Facebook very inspiring -just search for Winwick Mum Sockalong and feast your eyes on the amazing selection of gorgeous home-made socks that all these ladies are producing. I have made a start of sorts -after four attempts and two changes of needles this is how far I have come.<br />
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Knitting is tricky, I can't watch TV or read like I do when I crochet but hey there is always a little bit of time to spare for a new craft! I have also just recently found the knitting podcasts on youtube -such fun. Lovin' Little Bobbins Knits and The Grocery Girls.</div>
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In other news we have had some lovely family time together over Easter, back to London for a short break too. I found some great thrify treasure which I must try and show you later -the light is very poor here today. Lots of fun and plenty of time for the kids to pose dilemma's for Mum and Dad. E who is now 9 has been asking for a phone and unfortunately I suppose she wants a smart phone. Apparently <i>Every Single One</i> of her classmates has a phone and she feels left out. I don't know what to do, I don't want her to have access to such powerful technology at her age, technology that will also give others access to her. I don't want to spend the money on another phone but the guilt! Imagine being the only kid without one!</div>
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I wandered past this painting in the National Gallery:</div>
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I don't know what the title is or the artist but it is a Renaissance painting of The Virgin and Child. Just look at the expression of annoyance on her face! I think it sums up parenting very well. I love you to the ends of the earth but why won't you do as I ask? She also knows that he is going to grow up to be a handful.</div>
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Right my dears, that is all for now. Are you all enjoying these first tentative signs of spring? Maybe where you are it is Autumn? It is still quite chilly here in Ireland, damp and wet but I can feel the stirring of life. I will leave you with some beautiful Hawthorne blossom from our walk this morning. Bye. xxx</div>
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Linnet In Orielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283284636875494288noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520350618111497099.post-89313435409113672082016-02-12T03:31:00.000-08:002016-02-12T06:37:34.642-08:00Mad Dog Lady.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So despite <em>firmly </em>insisting to my family, that we were NOT, under any circumstances fostering/adopting or buying another dog until the summer or a fairly large lottery win, when <a href="http://www.dar.ie/">DAR</a> (Drogheda Animal Rescue) called me up and asked if I could be a short-term fosterer to this wee guy...well how could I resist? His name is Bosco and he was found as a stray but also he was terribly bitten by what we assume was a very big dog. Look at his poor poor neck -now this is well on the way to be properly healed so I don't want to imagine what he looked like when he was first found. Now he is with a lovely foster family and is holding his own with four other dogs but his current foster family are going away for a little break so we have him for B&B.<br />
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You know, he is a delight to look after, placid and playful, much less demanding than our <a href="http://linnetinoriel.blogspot.ie/2015/09/meet-rolo.html">previous guest. </a>He loves to trot around the house with me as I go about my chores and is pathetically pleased when somebody tells him what a <em>good </em>dog he is. He was overcome with ecstasy when Mr S let him sit on his knee for a minute. Mr S loves our dog - to the extent that Rosie gets more attention when he gets in from work that I do but he is not really a small dog person and is slow to see the lovely characteristics of Bosco, despite this of-course Bosco loves him the best! We had our first long walk over the fields today and we noticed that B is terribly frightened of high sided vehicles and he deliberately puts our big Rosie in-between himself and the scary traffic. What is his story? In one way, I am glad that I don't know.</div>
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Shamefully, Ireland is the worst country in Europe for the sheer number of unwanted and stay dogs every year. We destroy over 84% of our strays and last year 38 000 animals were needlessly destroyed. We have numerous animal welfare charities all courageously doing their bit but mostly these are operating with extremely tight budgets and are at full capacity. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Dublin-husky-rescue-366073693564610/">Dublin Husky Rescue</a> is just one organisation concentrating on one breed and they are dealing with a surrender rate of 2/3 huskies per day. Many of our unwanted and discarded pets end up being rehomed in England, Germany or Sweden because in a county of only 3 million there are simply not enough prospective responsible dog owners to adopt. Some of our unwanted greyhounds are re-homed in Italy. Strong and enforced legislation is needed but tragically given Ireland's economic woes over the past few years and our continuing housing, heath and pensions crises, I am sure the plight of these animals will continue. </div>
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Happily, little Bosco's troubles have come to an end, it is very cold and damp here today so we are all curled up on the sofa, dogs snoring, coffee brewing and candles lighted. </div>
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Guys, is there any chance of some room for the crochet please? No?</div>
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After an enjoyable but very busy week we are taking it very easy. I am day dreaming of a future with some more dogged company, an excentric country house perhaps with a few fields and a few rescue critters romping around. A Life in Wellies? The only downside to dog fostering is that one day, some day they will leave. When Rolo went off to his forever home, E was quite upset, she started compiling a list of parental crimes against children as perpetrated by her parents! Thankfully she has been reconciled to the idea of helping out a little dog on part of his journey. Both kids are looking forward to being outside, playing and walking with both dogs over half-term, which to my mind can only be a good thing! Thanks so much for reading Have a wonderful weekend. xxxxxxxxxx</div>
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Linnet In Orielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283284636875494288noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520350618111497099.post-54858384975248712782016-01-21T08:09:00.001-08:002016-01-21T14:21:52.530-08:00Ice and Shadow.A world transformed. Sparkling and fresh, pink and white. Finally a morning to quicken the senses, the kids played slides outside on the pavements and reluctantly went off to school, wishing for snow. The dog couldn't wait to get out. She follows me anxiously as I set the house straight and whinnies when I have the temerity to go to the bathroom after putting my boots on. Her eyebrows comically working overtime while I fill my pockets, keys, phone, treats, plastic bags, then open the door and go! Over the fields.<br />
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The dog takes a great leap into what she thinks is a giant puddle only to find that alarmingly it is now a sheet of ice. She practises reticence at the next great mirrored pool. These fields are not remote, bordered as they are on three sides by the ever encroaching town but are blissfully silent this morning, the only sound the satisfying crisp, crunch, crack of my boot against hard ground and brittle ice. Eventually it is time for home, time to puzzle over the structure of yet another TMA. (Tutor Marked Assignment)<br />
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Mum, why are you sitting down?</div>
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Oh, I agree sweet dog of mine but I am so close to finishing. I have been studying for this degree for six years now, why is it now so close to the end-only five months to go - that I find myself with zero motivation? Two rounds of coffee later and a browse through email/social media/blogs/course forum</div>
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settles the mind into focus. <iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/3QetfnYgjRE/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3QetfnYgjRE?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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Then sure it is just half an hour before the kids come home. Time for a crochet break.</div>
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And a walk with my newest literary crush:</div>
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I can't tell you how much I love this book, Robert Macfarlane is a master storyteller and his love of the land shines out of every page of this wonderful immersing book. His writing is exquisite, this is one to fall into only to emerge with extreme reluctance. </div>
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I have learned to appreciate January, even though I go into almost a semi-hibernation. These short rhythmic days of walk, study, craft, read, kids, dinner, are pleasing in their simplicity. </div>
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( Lovely things that I have stumbled over today:</div>
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<a href="http://www.caughtbytheriver.net/2016/01/20/antidotes-9-ben-mcgrath-dick-conant-vinyl-factory-soundway-records-katherine-price-john-cohen-amanda-petrusich-chris-yates-swedenborg-society-catherine-bunigrasscut-amy-liptrot-the-outrun/">http://www.caughtbytheriver.net/2016/01/20/antidotes-9-ben-mcgrath-dick-conant-vinyl-factory-soundway-records-katherine-price-john-cohen-amanda-petrusich-chris-yates-swedenborg-society-catherine-bunigrasscut-amy-liptrot-the-outrun/</a></div>
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There is an embarrassment of richness here but I LOVE Katherine Price's blog post, <em>'Clatter of corvids on a blustery day' </em>and the compelling recording of Chris Yates's walk with his young son in search of a big cat in Wiltshire. <em>'Nocturne'</em></div>
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I have now managed to write half of my TMA and so as a reward I am going to jump into bed with clean PJ's, a hot water bottle, a huge mug of tea and listen to</div>
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Amy Liptrot's '<em>The Outrun' </em>on Radio 4</div>
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<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06wclxn">http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06wclxn</a>)</div>
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Goodnight! xxxxx</div>
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Linnet In Orielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283284636875494288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520350618111497099.post-34926778983068983912016-01-11T06:44:00.000-08:002016-01-11T06:44:26.640-08:00Winter's LightSometimes, it is just a perfect day. I think Winter is my favourite season largely and contrarily because those days of brilliant crisp sunlight are so rare and fleeting.<br />
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"One of the secrets of a happy life, is continuous small treats"</div>
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Linnet In Orielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283284636875494288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520350618111497099.post-61856445735198967392016-01-09T10:09:00.001-08:002016-01-09T10:10:26.963-08:00Killed by Death.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So, today was my first run of the new year and the first, since the week before Christmas, me bad! I am annoyed with myself as I had been doing so well, practically bouncing along in my new runners and clocking up a solid 20 minute run, over halfway in the Couch to 5K programme. So then all the Christmas prep had to be done and then 'course it was Christmas and then we had to recover from all the Christmassing, the travelling, the drinking and the eating by sitting around crocheting, watching movies and <strike>munching</strike> <em>tidying up</em> the selection boxes. Additionally the weather was very very bad, stormy and wet, sure you wouldn't have put a dog out in that! When we did venture out I almost got very stuck in the deep mud all alone in the dusky fields. Creepy.</div>
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It was with great trepidation that I got ready for my run, all the bits that had been tightening up before the holidays were once again a bit wobbly and I felt so creaky and old. Even my ankles are aging sigh...but I pulled on the lycra regardless. As a tribute to the force of life that was Lemmy Kilmister (1945-2015 RIP) I had this classic on the playlist.</div>
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I wouldn't be a big Motorhead fan but this song is one of the best running songs<strong> ever </strong>as well as containing one of the best nonsensical lyrics in music:</div>
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<em>"If you squeeze my lizard, </em></div>
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<em>I'll put my snake on you."</em></div>
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I mean what other mad eejit could get away with that! As a small digression my other favourite so-bad-it-is-good lyrics are these:</div>
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<em>"Put your 'lectric eye on me babe,</em></div>
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<em> Put your ray gun to my head</em></div>
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<em> Press your space face close to mine, love" </em>Thank you David Bowie.</div>
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Anyways, there is nothing that gets the old adrenalin flowing that running down a steep hill with Lemmy screaming in your ear buds. I doubt that the man himself would approve though. Apparently as a sop to the Doctors advice after being told he was very sick, Lemmy good-naturedly replaced his drink of choice - whiskey - to vodka. Live fast, die old eh?</div>
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I didn't attempt a 20 minute run today, just 2x 8 minutes with 5 mins walking in between and you know it went ok. I did get a weird cramp across my neck at one point and my eyes (WTF!) were sore at one point but I really enjoyed it. It is a strange feeling this running business, one the one hand I feel so exhilarated and alive in kind of the same way as I used to after a great nights clubbing or a night of the best craic down the pub or having a really successful week in my old job. Yet, on the other hand I feel so in control so focused, it is unusual. I didn't expect running to feel so er <em>existential </em>but at the same time it is so easy. Just pop on some shoes and off you go, if not for 20 minutes, then 8 or even 2 minutes. But is it cheating to plan your run so that the majority is on flat ground and the last minute is down that lovely steep hill? ;)</div>
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Right now I have to go and struggle with some OU study and whether access to politics and therefor rights should or can be extended to include non-humans? These are interesting issues for sure but there is one theorist that we are reading at the moment who is so complex he makes me feel immediately sleepy as soon as I try to read the text. Yawn.</div>
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Bye for now...Lots of Love.xxx</div>
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Linnet In Orielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283284636875494288noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520350618111497099.post-54465782716886988572016-01-06T03:57:00.001-08:002016-01-06T03:59:21.534-08:00Nollaig na mban.Hello! Happy New Year and Merry Nollaig na mban!<br />
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I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and are easing slowly back into the post-Christmas routine. After days and days of torrential rain when it seems as though the hours of daylight diminished to a few sparse minutes, it seems fitting that this morning should rise into a beautiful crisp sun-shiny winter morning. Today in Ireland is Nollaig na mban or Little Christmas/ Women's Christmas where it was traditional (in the West mostly I believe) for the women to take the day off from the grind of the household tasks and celebrate with friends and relations leaving the men behind. I must admit until moving here I had never heard of this custom, we never celebrated it in my own family in the North. This year I had forgotten about it until listening to the radio this morning.<br />
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Of - course the relevancy of this custom is somewhat suspect - shouldn't the division of domestic and the caring tasks be fairly distributed by now? However, in a world where the issues of equality and concerns of the feminist movement are still acutely relevant; I think that Nollaig na mban still deserves special notice, it is important to both celebrate the power of our femininity, the strength of the women who contribute/ have contributed to our lives and generally nourish our spiritual and physical selves. My little girl was very interested in celebrating Nollaig na mban unfortunately she had to be packed off to school this morning but in the future we shall take it as a day just for ourselves or get together with friends and family.<br />
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I am going to put my feet up, drink some coffee and reacquaint myself with the lives of some incredible Irish women. This year is the centenary of the 1916 Rising, the nascent emergence of Ireland as an independent nation and the beginnings of a century of great change in the lives of many women. Some women did not wait for change they pioneered it. <br />
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Maud Gonne: Political Activist, Irish Nationalist, Spiritualist, Actor and Muse of W.B. Yates. The Woman's Peace Committee. The Women's Prisoner's Defence League.<br />
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Countess Markievicz: Revolutionary, Socialist, Suffragette, first woman to be elected to the British Parliament, formed the 1st Dail Eireann, Minister for Labour of the Irish Republic, Artist, founded Fianna Eireann, joined Irish Citizen Army, key activist in the Rising and on the Republican side in the Civil War.</div>
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Hannah Sheehy Skeffington: Teacher, Suffragette, Irish Nationalist, Political activist, founding member of the Irish Women Worker's Union, assistant editor of An Phoblacht.</div>
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1916 was also the birth year of a very important woman in my life, a woman who did not break out of the conventions that the patriarchy and indeed sectarianism that (Northern) Irish Society had set down for her but a remarkable person nevertheless, at times infuriating but with a fierce love for all her family. She held a profound faith but had a sharp realism about the sexist confines of Catholicism . She left school at 14 and became a mill girl but wrote secret lines of poetry and reminisced fondly about being told that she could draw very well. She brought up six children and partly one grand-daughter for whom she would buy great piles of second-hand books out of her sparse pension.<br />
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J.H. 1916-2010.<br />
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Happy Women's Christmas to you all! 2015 was a very good year for our family and I am really looking forward to whatever 2016 will bring. What are you hoping for this year? Who was inspired you thus far? Bye for now - here's hoping my blogging will be a tad more regular. ;)Linnet In Orielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283284636875494288noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520350618111497099.post-6707419941792779412015-11-19T02:00:00.001-08:002015-11-27T03:38:03.400-08:00Interlude<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello, isn't this just a crazy film? I was going to post up the old faithful of the potter's wheel especially as I have been considering running off to study ceramics after avidly watching the Pottery Throw down programme but the Daleks and mad bad baby doll won lands down. So sorry to have been awol for so long but I have been just run off my feet and have fallen so far behind in my Open University studies I feel as if I am never going to catch up!<br />
This is my final year and while I am quietly elated just to have gotten this far, I am also fairly overwhelmed with the sheer volume of work I need to complete before June. Taking a whole week off to tour around beautiful West Cork at half term and yet another weekend to visit family in London was such brilliant fun but I'm left with a bit of a pre-Christmas panic. So much to do so little time! So I am going to have to put my little blog on hold for a just a couple of weeks just to get my head above the water once more.<br />
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I have to confess to feeling a little sad with the growing discrepancy between what I <em>have</em> to do and what I <em>need</em> to do. I'm sure that we all feel like this from time to time. I also have a lovely long list of half-completed crafty projects and really-need-to-do-very-soon crafty projects...<br />
As sweet golden Autumn has turned into dank grey November, it is quite onerous to have to apply oneself to the rigors of Political Theory instead of curling up beside the fire with a good book/crochet/knitting or quilting. I have been peeping in at the wonderful socks that have been curling off the needles at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/642084589269882/">Winkhan Mum's sock along on Facebook</a> and really really want to join in. I have also joined up with Netgalley and want to bring you some extra book chat as well as showing you all the completed (hopefully!) crafty and Christmas projects. <br />
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Just to tie up a couple of loose ends, we found a lovely new home for <a href="http://linnetinoriel.blogspot.ie/2015/09/meet-rolo.html">Rolo,</a> in a dairy farm by the sea! Apparently he settled in quite well and has three other dogs to play with. It was quite upsetting at first to part with him but at the same time, yet so rewarding to play a little part in a happy ending. I'm still running - just. I completed a 20 minute jog, which was unbelievably difficult and totally exhilarating and started to see a slight shrinking in the waist. But, my runners need replacing and I'm experiencing sever pain in my feet due to the lack of support so it has been too easy to put off the runs till tomorrow. So, a significant investment in both runners and walking boots has to be made this week and a significant investment of time has to be put towards my degree. Thanks so much for reading this far and I hope to be back very soon. Take care. xxxxxLinnet In Orielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283284636875494288noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520350618111497099.post-45901920975781758172015-09-16T11:21:00.000-07:002015-09-16T11:23:30.067-07:00Hump de Bump <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Thanks to Mr S and his common sense, I no longer have to listen to the ersatz music accompanying the Couch 25K app and can get my funk on to the Chilli Peppers. Yay! So, the update is that I am still somewhat stuck on Week5, Run 1 which is 5 running x 3 walking, three times. I had another running week off as I was doing 7k walks with the dogs, and was completely shattered with the constant vigilance that <a href="http://linnetinoriel.blogspot.ie/">a new introduction</a> to the household demands. But, I went out on Monday for my first run in the dark with just my Rosie and it was totally amazing! Running for 5 minutes now seems nearly natural. I had my high vis on, Chili Peppers on loud and my little dog happily jogging along, this run was as close to perfect as I have had. I decided to push myself and speed up a little, nearly running FAST!</div>
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Imagine my chagrin as I looked at my phone to turn off the tunes and the app and noticed a little message from the C25k app...it said:</div>
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Erm, Pardon me, Better luck next time?? What cheek, it was shorter because it was FASTER! Stupid app. Mr S of course found this hilarious, that I had 'been dissed' by my very own phone. I'm still looking forward to tonight's run though.</div>
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Tuesday found me at quilting class at The Crafty Fox, we are learning to make a flying geese quilt. So exciting! (Doesn't take much you say....) I have of-course set myself a mind puzzler of a quilt because I have a bundle of very cute but very limited size-wise vintage fabric so have not yet had the courage to cut up my stash. To further complicate matters, I want to sew geese of varying sizes so will have lots of measurements to calculate for homework. In just one lesson, I have an even greater respect for Quilters, it is such an amazing skill. </div>
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This is the quilt I want to make:</div>
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This is my fabric:</div>
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I might have to chose an alternative though:</div>
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Today (Wednesday) found me wrestling a large stinky recalcitrant Labrador down our road. On Tuesday, I came back to find a very smiley dog with it's head poking out of my very crooked wooden blinds. Rolo had managed to escape from the kitchen. He cries piteously when he is separated from the family but I can't trust him with the full run of the house alone and unsupervised, so today I made sure to pull the door completely closed and locked the stair gate in front. </div>
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I had a quick dash round the shops and was horrified to open my front door to be greeted by a Golden Blur dashed past into the street almost knocking me off my feet and in hot pursuit of a Little Old Lady walking a Westie. Luckily, said Lady was sensible and stopped calmly to let me catch the great hooligan who was giddy with excitement at his own ingenuity. I hadn't stopped to get the lead so ended up dragging a very twisty Rolo by the collar who was digging his heels cartoon-like, just like Scooby Doo being forced to follow the 'ghost'! He does make me laugh so, he is such a cheerful, playful dog, it is like he wants to live life to the full after coming so close to the chop. He is off on a day-trip at the weekend to visit a prospective family and while I will be very sad to see him go, tears will be shed but deep down I hope he does get on well there. He deserves a permanent home and we are becoming very attached.</div>
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Why is it, that I always manage to be in these sorts of situations when some of the most immaculately groomed residents of our street are out and watching the capers? Then, I had a quick coffee and decided to speed round the garden with the mower and then fixed myself what I thought was a very long cool glass of homemade Elderflower cordial and enjoyed a large glug when I was horrified to find that it was in fact, last Autumn's rocket fuel, my Rosehip Vodka. I was quite <span style="background-color: magenta;">Pink</span> when collecting the kids from the school bus. Oh dear. Drinking in the Afternoon...Alone! Ho Hum, I kinda wish it was Friday already. Thank-you for reading. xxxxxxxxxxxxx</div>
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Linnet In Orielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283284636875494288noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520350618111497099.post-77903747631942599742015-09-12T10:21:00.001-07:002016-02-12T10:24:29.678-08:00Meet Rolo.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am not the most prolific of bloggers, sometimes I have nothing to say, sometimes I have lots of inspiration but life gets in the way. This week, we have been dealing with an unexpected Guest, quite a lovable, eager to please guest but one that hasn't been taught very many manners and thus is quite demanding.<br />
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Rolo is a five year old, neutered male Labrador, that was taken to the vets in order to be euthanized or in our friendly 21st century euphemistic terminology, to be Put-To-Sleep. Luckily for Rolo, the vet recognizing his gentle trusting nature, refused to kill this beautiful healthy dog and called in our local animal rescue organization to take him into their care. Drogheda Animal Rescue, eventually put out an appeal, via social media for a foster home. So, there was I, feet up and cup of tea in hand, idly scrolling through sodding Facebook and there he was - again. This was the second shout-out for a foster home, original offers had fallen through and despite really not wanting the bother of another big dog, I just couldn't resist him.<br />
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Myself and Mr S have a 'thing' about Labs, we both grew up with them and appreciate the characteristics, <em>good and bad</em> of the breed. It was probably one of the reasons that our relationship has stood the test of time, love me...love my Lab. I doubt very much sharing my life with a Rottie or a Poodle for example, fine dogs for some folks, just not a fit for me. Sometimes I think that favoured dog-breed are a bit like personal politics, religion or football teams, once chosen then hard-wired into preference. Other times, I tell myself to cop-on and that a dog is a dog and that there are far too many shallow assumptions about the characteristics of each breed. Indeed, our relatively modern obsession with <em>only</em> the appearance of a dog has had many unfortunate consequences for the health and well-being of many dogs.<br />
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So, here is the UK Kennel Club's fairly measured opinion of the Labrador Retriever and a valid opinion that many will seek out when it comes to researching a potential family pet.<br />
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<em>The Labrador is one of the best all-round dogs in the world. Not only used for retrieving game, he has also made his mark in the world of assistance dogs and as a ‘sniffer’ dog for drug and arms detection...A real gentleman, the Labrador adores children and has a kind and loving nature and a confident air. The big city is not really his scene; a bit of a country squire at heart, he comes into his own in rural surroundings. - See more at: </em><a href="http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/breed/display.aspx?id=2048#sthash.UfnxlLNJ.dpuf"><em>http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/breed/display.aspx?id=2048#sthash.UfnxlLNJ.dpuf</em></a> - See more at: <a href="http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/breed/display.aspx?id=2048#sthash.UfnxlLNJ.dpuf">http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/breed/display.aspx?id=2048#sthash.UfnxlLNJ.dpuf</a><br />
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But, I think that this description of the breed (and any breed) must contain the caveat of, <em>'only with early socialization, adequate exercise and consistent reward-based training'. </em>So far Rolo has managed to escape from our supposedly dog-secure garden, jumped into the bath, chewed our skirting boards, chewed shoes, scraped all the paint from our kitchen door, cried when left alone, jumped up on all fours on the kitchen table, stolen food from plates, jumped up onto the wheelie bins and when he spots another dog on his walk wants to immediately play. <br />
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Ah sweet, you may think but today when off-leash out in the field he spotted a big husky about 500 yards away across a ploughed field and barrelled off, there was no amount of desperate calling, whistling and treat waving would bring him back. Thankfully, it was a friend of mine with the husky and he was easily brought back. Additionally, after his dinner he gets into particularly amorous mood and ignoring our own neutered bitch has taken a special liking to me. I never thought I would experience dog foreplay...shudder. It is like living with a hyper 40k horny puppy. Rolo is a lucky dog though, he has a gorgeous gentle nature, his eyes light up when he sees you and he is brilliant with the children so despite wanting to strangle him myself after 48 hours; he is staying until we can sort out a more permanent home for him.<br />
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He is so willing to please and listen, it makes me want to cry. For Rolo's only real crime was that his owner died and he was locked up in a shed for a year. I think he was an outside dog through for the majority of his life as the only commands he knows are OUT and NO! Slowly we are making progress, he is becoming calmer, learning to Sit and Stay. He has stopped crying at night and scraping the door, He is at least<em> pausing</em> before vaulting over the stair gate, in pursuit of food, company or shoes. I know he is happy to be here but if he catches a glimpse of a certain type of car when out on his walk, he watches it with thoughtful attention. My own dog Rosie is Most Annoyed about this new development but is indulging herself wrestling and sparring with the big guy.<br />
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So, I would say that for me the rewards of dog ownership/fostering are worth so much more than the effort required, the commitment required, the time that the hounds eat up but I would also say that if you think it is going to be easy, walk away. If you are thinking of buying a dog for your child, do not even think about it. If you are thinking of buying a puppy because it is cute or sick, walk away. Research your breed, yes. Pick the type of dog that suits your lifestyle, yes. But realise that your lifestyle is going to change, should change and that on average a dog will live for fifteen years. <br />
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It takes time and incredible patience to train and educate your dog, most people don't mind a puppy jumping up but if it is 40k of mud and slobber that is destroying your mate's new coat, it can get tricky. Exercise is critical, for the health of the dog, physically and mentally. No matter what size, I know a man who jogs with a Chihuahua. My Dad recently adopted a 9month old Cavalier King Charles, her owners had lost interest in her, they wanted to go to the gym and not exercise the dog. I don't understand this. I would much rather be out in the fields with my Mutt, than stuck inside a gym with artificial lights and annoying music. Walking is good for me too, both physically and mentally. I can have that extra glass of Red tonight and the regularity of the exercise keeps the <a href="http://linnetinoriel.blogspot.ie/2014/03/yellow-gorse-green-shoots-black-dog.html">'Black Dog'</a> away.<br />
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However, if you have bought a dog and for whatever reasons you regret it, the animal welfare charities, just like our own Drogheda Animal Rescue are absolutely fantastic, they will organise a new home for your dog with <strong>no judgement. </strong>Recently, DAR rehomed a group of dogs in Sweden, isn't that just fantastic?<br />
If you have stayed all the way to the end of this blog post, thank-you so much! I will leave you with some pics of the canines.<br />
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EDIT: Update - Rolo was adopted by a lovely family who have a dairy farm by the sea.<br />
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Linnet In Orielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283284636875494288noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520350618111497099.post-68231549873796631502015-08-28T10:01:00.000-07:002015-08-28T10:15:12.730-07:00To Loughcrew and Lloyds Spire.Last weekend was the last Saturday before the kiddos went back to school. (They went off this morning and the house is so quiet and mysteriously tidy!) So as the weather forecast predicted sunshine in the morning and persistent rain for the rest of the weekend - it was time to take advantage of the promised dry spell, dust the trusty thermos off, pack everyone into the car and set off for the day to explore somewhere we have never been before.<br />
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I have been wanting to visit <a href="http://loughcrew.com/cairns/">Loughcrew</a> for a long time now, not only are you promised a beautiful magical garden to wander around but nearby there are some of the most stunning megalithic passage graves in all of Ireland. In the gardens there is a zip-line and a climbing tree for those of us who like being suspended a long way above the comfort of terra firma on a rope. I packed my kindle and some crochet as there is also a coffee shop where I could happily dog-sit while the rest of the party could investigate the activities of the adventure centre.<br />
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Despite scorn for our choice of music from the little ones in the back seat, getting completely lost twice and meeting a oncoming idiot driver, hurtling murderously down <em>the middle </em>of a twisty country road, we arrived at Loughcrew in very good spirits and were delighted with what we found. Our spirits had been greatly restored by he short drive to Loughcrew from the pretty town of Kells , the car climbing to an elevated plateau, dissecting a glorious panorama of countryside, a vast quilt of green fields and tumbling grey and white dry stone walls. We had asked directions from the happiest lady in the land, cheerfully mowing her immaculate green baize lawn craved out of the side of a rocky mountain and found her mood contagious. <br />
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First place to explore was the atmospheric family church of St. Oliver Plunket. Man, there is nothing I like more than wandering around ruined churches and graveyards, I find the atmosphere so calm and peacefully contemplative. I love trying to decipher all the inscriptions and dreaming of all the people who lived once and are now resting here. The rest of the family don't share this attraction and are happy to scamper through and quickly on but I lingered and was delighted to be accompanied by a little wren as I wandered.<br />
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The gardens of Loughcrew House are a very atmospheric remnant of a now-lost 16th century house, it is one of those places that I can imagine full of shivery shadows after dusk. To walk in the company of such venerable yews was a privilege and the Alice-in-wonderland sculptures were charming. The highlight of the kids trip though was seeing their Dad ascending the climbing tree and the Hen Party falling in the lake.<br />
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I have one teeny criticism though, the promised 4k Lake walk is quite hard to access, the directions are confusing. we did attempt to follow the red arrows but there was a wire fence running through the apparent access points. We could have walked back to the coffee shop to ask the very friendly and accommodating staff but the heavens decided to open and we decided scurry back to the car and make for home. Disappointingly this meant that we did not get to visit <a href="http://loughcrew.com/wp/cairns/">the Cairns</a> this time but I'm sure we will be back this way very soon. </div>
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On the drive in, as we were leaving Kells, we had passed an intriguing sign for The Spire of Lloyd, pointing to a structure that looked suspiciously like a lighthouse. Given that Kells is fairly inland, Lloyd and his spire seemed fairly extraneous! This seemed like one of those potentially exciting places that all too often is ignored as we drive on to another destination. So weather allowing I was determined to check this place out and having driven away from the rain we called in and well gosh it was worth it. So first we had to stop for a swing at the playground in the community park, then down through the fields to look for the Ring fort and back up to admire the view from the spire.</div>
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The spire is indeed a lighthouse and was built by the first Earl of Bective as a memorial to his father, Sir Thomas Taylor. The folly is also said to have been built as a comfortable viewing platform from which the Headfort family could enjoy the course of the hunt. This impressive symbol of 18th century wealth and landownership sits in poignant proximity to a one of the bleakest and most moving features of the Irish landscape, a famine graveyard.</div>
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The Great Famine, <em>An Gorta Mor, 1845-1852 </em>was a catastrophic failure of both the potato crop and that of the structural forces present in Irish society that saw over a third of the population, the landless labour class exist in abject poverty dependant on a one crop subsistence farming and the vagrancies and often brutality of the absentee Landlord class. Over a million people died of starvation in these years and a further million emigrated, leaving a scar on the cultural and demographic nature of the country that has yet to fade completely from our psyche. How fleeting our lives can be, potentially we are all migrants from poverty and conflict.</div>
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As the clouds darkened and the rain swept over this place, we thought of all those nameless people buried here in a pauper's grave without individual marker.</div>
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A contemplative end to a great day out. Thank-you so much for reading and have a great weekend with those you love. xxx</div>
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<strong>As part of Heritage week, both Loughcrew Gardens and Lloyds Spire are open to the public this weekend and are free of charge. The lighthouse is open for viewings on Sunday 30th August.</strong></div>
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<br />Linnet In Orielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283284636875494288noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520350618111497099.post-85094101060376421112015-08-13T04:12:00.000-07:002015-08-13T04:18:44.100-07:00Song 2. Week 5. Whoo Hoo!Hello. I can't wait to tell you this. This song is how I feel when I start running. Every time.<br />
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Song 2 by Blur.<br />
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I am at the business end of the Couch to 5k programme now, I just cannot believe how far I have come. I am on week 5 which is three different runs:<br />
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Run 1,<br />
Warm-up 5 min walk<br />
5 min run<br />
3 min walk<br />
5 min walk<br />
3 min walk<br />
5 min run<br />
5 minute warm down walk.<br />
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So, I completed this run at the beginning of last week and was totally elated at my progress, so couldn't wait to start Run 2 which is <em>supposed </em>to be after the warm up, 8 minutes of running, 5 minutes of walking, then another 8 minute run. However, I updated the phone to whatever the latest operating system and the only thing that disappeared was my C25K podcasts so after a reload I accidently stared running Week 5, Run 3 which was a huge jump to 20 minutes of running! Well, I can't run for 20 minutes non-stop but I nearly did it and you know what just a few more runs and I know that I will be able to do this. When I think of this in my future I feel like quite emotional. The icing on the big fat cake was a collegiate nod from a proper jogger, or perhaps he was just acknowledging the cuteness of my happy furry running companion. I swear that dog wears the most enormous grin when she is padding alongside.<br />
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Week 2, Run 2 is proving to be a right killer though so until I can master this set I think I am going to be sticking here for a bit.<br />
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Due to the school hols, I have had to tweak my routine around the kids so have been running at dawn and dusk. Apart from needing to nod off after lunch, this has been a really great experience, a wee bit of alone time in the busy day. At dawn, I was surprised to see quite a majority of women out, jogging and power walking. At dusk I keep my eye on the horizon and run towards the beauty of the cloud formations as the sun sets. I know I have been <a href="http://linnetinoriel.blogspot.ie/2015/08/between-showers.html">complaining about the Irish weather</a> but, you know there is a quality about the drama that plays out in the contrasts of the sun and rain keep me here in this sometimes soggy but always beautiful little island.<br />
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So in-between all that someone recommended that I listen to some 'Philosophy Bites' podcasts in preparation for this years Open Uni module and 'course had to listen to this guy <a href="http://philosophybites.com/2013/03/mark-rowlands-on-philosophy-and-running.html">Mark Rowlans on Philosophy and Running.</a> Mark Rowlands bought himself a wolf - as you do - and to avoid the destruction of his home by this noble creature, began to run to exercise the wolf into exhaustion and is now hooked on the action. Rowlans (I think!) sees an existential purity when the reasons for running fall away,- losing weight, getting fitter, being able to dance when 80 - and what is left is joy in the action for its own sake, for "it's own intrinsic value". I am beginning to see the value of running for pure pleasure, to "be in touch with the intrinsic good in life" which is a Good Thing and not just because I haven't lost a single ounce yet! All the best! xxxxxLinnet In Orielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283284636875494288noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520350618111497099.post-65238291679881169802015-08-06T12:55:00.000-07:002015-08-06T13:00:57.264-07:00Between the showers.Hello! Welcome back to Oriel. How is your summer going? Ours has been a tad miserable to say the least. I guess we should have known, toying with The Weather Gods in such a cavalier fashion. So since our purchase of some garden furniture at the end of May in a joyous burst of enthusiasm for the hot promise of a Summer, <em>any Summer, </em>we have used the set approximately twice and the view to the garden looks mostly like this. Sodden. Abandoned.<br />
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Met Eireann, the Irish Meteorological service has been monotonously persistent with it's daily depressing forecast of 'thundery rain moving east'; this has been the worst summer since I moved to Co. Louth and that year it rained for a biblical forty days! Nevertheless, we have been trying to make the best of it, embracing the excuse to catch up on our favourite house pursuits, crafting, baking, reading, colouring and watching as many films as can be squeezed into a rainy afternoon. I am making steady progress with O's Autumn Sunburst blanket and Rosie likes it too.<br />
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She is a very crafty dog as you can see, these are a pair of PJ bottoms that I made for E from the fabric I bought up in Belfast and blogged about <a href="http://linnetinoriel.blogspot.ie/2015/06/rest-and-relaxation.html">here</a>. I followed <a href="http://countrysidetales.blogspot.ie/2015/04/how-to-make-pyjama-bottoms-in-under-two.html">this <strong>brilliant </strong>tutorial </a>from the completely marvellous Countryside Tales blog and managed to run them up in about three hours! <br />
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The sun did make an appearance briefly and conveniently for a little photo-shoot. I miss you Sunshine.</div>
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E is delighted with them and I cannot wait to make some for myself as soon as a little bit of fabric cash manages to settle in my purse. When we were in London, I couldn't help noticing that those colouring book for adults were all over the place, despite being an avid colour-in-er in my youth, I didn't really 'get' the concept at the time but of course now that we are At Home, they seem like such a good idea and not just for the grown ups either. I love the intricate detail of the Secret Garden one but thank-fully for our diminishing summer budget, you can print out some free sheets from <a href="http://www.redtedart.com/">Red Ted Art</a> and I just love how the kids approach the same picture in their own unique way. Sadly no pics of our art, it is just too feckin' grey for photography.<br />
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Play-doh is another 'old' toy that is also making quite a come back in our house, of-course we had to try the allegedly fabulous no-cook make-your-own recipe but oh my goodness letting two over-enthusiastic kids loose with bright red food colouring is not for the faint hearted. My lovely old farmhouse table is now covered in great globular red stains which no amount of elbow grease can shift AND the resulting 'playdoh' was deemed Far Too Yucky and promptly discarded and Mr S cajoled into buying some real stuff from the big supermarket.<br />
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Some days, it has been too wet for some people to even get dressed and Baking in Onesies and Licking Bowls in Pyjamas has become quite a weekly event. I don't think Mary Berry would approve.<br />
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Mr S has been getting all creative too. <br />
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Can you guess what it is yet?<br />
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No? <br />
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Mr S is attempting some serious pallet reconstruction. Hopefully, I will be able to reveal the result of his endeavours before next summer...! Bye for now. xxxxx</div>
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Linnet In Orielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283284636875494288noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520350618111497099.post-68567323828644103812015-07-25T02:23:00.002-07:002015-08-11T14:33:54.740-07:00London snapshots.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Old Spitalfields Market.</div>
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Kew</div>
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Hampton Court</div>
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We went to London and for the first time in a long time we became tourists in our former home city. All around the heat shimmered and we moved in a determined slow motion, there was a tube strike and we were disorientated and amateurish when trying to navigate our way around the cashless oyster card system. We glimpsed new tube stations, great soaring apartment buildings - too ubiquitous to become landmarks - new pathways and directions -my previously sharp London map slowly remembered and eventually restored. We checked off some places that we had never been and places half-remembered since childhood - the maze at Hampton Court has drastically shrunk!<br />
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I saw the ghosts of lost friends in many faces and felt 21 again as we danced, reunited with some old ones. We celebrated with our growing extended family, precious new-born babies and beautiful bumps. I marvelled at the shift in our parental journey, it seems like minutes since we were the distracted parents of small infants and focused on the mindful vigilance that accompanies the fast-moving toddler. In the face of the mighty force that is Grandma, myself and Mr S became slightly redundant, some unusual hours of child-free time opening. We had enormous fun but<a href="http://linnetinoriel.blogspot.ie/2015/02/london-kills-me.html"> I got my cure</a> , it was probably no accident that I bought this book. (The background is a 1970's shopping bag that had to be bought in no small degree because of the texture and the smell! It takes me back to a hot 1970's summer, my wee pram with a similar plastic cover.)<br />
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I went clothes shopping on a Saturday morning, all the shops packed with people, sales stock strewn into a bemusing mass, stale air-conditioning in the giant shopping centre. I wanted to give up almost immediately, forget about the new shoes and join the kids in the park. The old seduction of London was still strong, the brisk efficient mass of commuters, the endless number of undiscovered streets; the potential for people watching, the stories writing themselves as the actors in each tube carriage shifted, emptied and refilled. The teenagers kissing at Harrow-on-the-Hill, the old Punks with chiselled features at The Angel, the beautiful twins with immaculate hair and light graceful dresses at London Bridge, a vivid 1960's painting for a dream house in Old Street. A lovely exhausting time but an interlude, I missed my space. We went for a lazy pub lunch in the pretty village of Sarratt, strolled part of the Chiltern Way and it was here that I felt most still and content. I saw the sky and the distant fields, and breathed out.<br />
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A most fortunate rabbit.</div>
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Sarratt Bottom. Address envy. xxx</div>
Linnet In Orielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283284636875494288noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520350618111497099.post-20020581045115141892015-06-25T04:28:00.000-07:002015-06-25T06:03:31.330-07:00Endorphins and Siesta'sHello! I'm so excited I just had to pop into blog-land and tell you all that I managed to complete Week 3 of NHS Couch to 5k and am buzzing on the endorphins. OK now, it is not my third week of running but I feel delighted with myself for getting this far and feel so much fitter. <br />
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So, this week or stage involves:<br />
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<li>5 minutes of warm-up walking</li>
<li>90 second run</li>
<li>90 seconds of walking</li>
<li>3 minute run</li>
<li>3 minutes of walking</li>
<li>repeat sections 2.- 4.</li>
<li>5 minute brisk wind-down walk.</li>
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So, written down in unforgiving black and white that lot looks quite easy, well I have to admit, now the 90 seconds of running are! A few months ago I could not run for more than one minute without feeling as though my lungs were going to burst and my eyes were to detach themselves, now not a problem. I'm annoying blasé, in fact. Until it comes to the three minute run that is, I'm feeling the force of gravity now all right, I'm feeling my own weighty mortality in fact but somehow me and the dog get to the end of the run. We get to the end of that run, three times this week. Running with the dog is such a fantastic laugh, her jolly lolling grin as she trots alongside me is so sweet and when we go running in the fields off-lead she bounces through the corn like a mad golden lion.<br />
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The experience of the endorphins are very strange -not having tried any strenuous exercise before apart from hill walking -I am quite surprised at the strength of the elation that accompanies the end of the running, this occurs for me in two stages. Once immediately after completion and then after about an hour or so I feel again completely energized and am strongly compelled to go out and do it all over again! Weird. Ok, so come the evening I am completely shattered but it is a good sense of tiredness, of contentment almost.<br />
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Last week myself and some of the Crazy Dog Ladies accompanied by assorted dogs, children and husbands got up at the hideous hour of 2am and ventured out into the wilds of Co Meath to 'do' the <a href="http://www.taradawnrun.ie/">Tara Dawn Run</a>, a 4k run starting at 4am around the beautiful mystical and historic<a href="http://hilloftara.org/"> Hill of Tara</a>, seat of the High kings of Ireland. So, the idea is, starting in the dark you race around the hill finishing up as the morning sun illuminates the valley beyond. We didn't run so much as potter around while the kids threw grass at us and each other, my dog stopped to eat all the sheep pooh and M's dog stopped because he didn't want to walk without my dog and S chatted and I tried vainly to take lots of photos in the dark! Great fun and all for a good cause. I hadn't been to this amazing place before and oh my goodness it is so beautiful and there is a bookshop close by! I cannot wait to go back. Maybe I will even run it next year...<br />
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This week the kids are finishing up school and for O, last days at his after school crèche, so it has been a bit hectic at times, sorting out last minute thank-you cards and presents, summer play-dates, and baking for the end of term functions. Our Principle is retiring and moving abroad which is very sad as he has been in the role since the school opened - just seven years ago and we have seen the school expand from 62 students to 375 for the forthcoming academic year. We wish him well.<br />
Do you give Teacher's presents? I used to give cut flowers or sweets but this year I wanted to give something that was more sustainable and when I spotted these pretty Dahlias in the market I bought a couple. Very inexpensive, just add some tissue paper and tie with raffia and with a bit of TLC they should come back every summer. Tah Dah, a nice reminder of the little angels (ahem!) that gifted them.<br />
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So, instead of adhering to the List of Jobs that was supposed to be completed before the kids are set loose - jobs like painting all the woodwork and deep cleaning the kitchen and finally booking my driving test. I have instead been indulging myself with a couple of hours of reading, crocheting and watching old movies and the odd few minutes of siesta time. Oh, the luxury of being able to close ones eyes for a few minutes and day-dream in peace and quiet! I wanted to show you some pictures of the progression of O's Autumn Sunburst blanket but it has gone so dark and grey here it is impossible to take any photos now. The blanket was inspired my the colours in <a href="http://linnetinoriel.blogspot.ie/2015/02/reclaiming-ramparts-celebration-and-rant.html">this walk</a> and the first few circles photographed<a href="http://linnetinoriel.blogspot.ie/2015/02/february-challenges-small-steps-into.html"> here.</a><br />
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I will leave you with some of the less (sic) blurry pictures from the Hill of Tara. Bye for now! xxxx<br />
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Linnet In Orielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283284636875494288noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520350618111497099.post-15279473791137587962015-06-12T06:34:00.000-07:002015-06-12T06:40:51.407-07:00Rest and relaxation.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well hello! It is so nice to be back with you again after what feels like a very long time. It has been just over a week since my very last Open University exam and only now does my poor head feels like it is getting back to normal or what <em>I</em> perceive to be normality anyway! The exam was a mixed bag all right, I think I did relatively well in the first two questions but on the third part my mind just went blank. It didn't help that I could barely hold the pen straight as I was trembling so much.<br />
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Thank goodness, I have one last module to take next year which is all on-going assessment so if I do badly in the History exam my degree classification will not be unduly affected. I was left with the feeling that to assess in three hours; a whole year's worth of analysis and synthesis of 20th century history AND all the many historiographical debates and controversy's that surround the events of such a tumultuous century is quite unfairly demanding. Ouch. I did manage to have a chuckle in the wonderful Oxfam Books on the vibrant Botanic Avenue, Belfast the afternoon before exam day though. Look who was sharing the top shelf:<br />
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However for the very first time in five years of Open University study I was left with a curious feeling of anti-climax and disorientation. My nights punctuated with dreams of redoing the exam with bleeding fingers and my days ran slow with lethargy. So when feeling like this I always turn to the kitchen:<br />
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Green herby soup.</div>
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Food for the comfort of the bruised soul.</div>
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Fresh parsley, chives and spring onion.</div>
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Garden peas, celery and broccoli,</div>
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whizzed up with home made chicken stock, crème fraiche and perhaps some flaked almonds for the top. </div>
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Then I finish all the niggley unfinished projects that have been hanging around:</div>
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Two A-line skirts finally finished and while not perfect sewing by any means, I made them and I have been wearing them with pleasure. The flowery one is the deconstructed skirt used as a toile and was the<a href="http://linnetinoriel.blogspot.ie/2014_08_01_archive.html"> source of much annoyance</a> for the Rookie Sewer. The denim fabric was purchased in the excellent <a href="https://www.facebook.com/paragonfabrics">Paragon Fabrics</a> also in Belfast a little treasure trove of fabric to dye for. Paragon fabrics is conveniently next door to this amazingly chaotic junk/antique shop which is just crammed with good treasure hunting possibilities. </div>
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After I had bought the fabric above, I gingerly stepped in and as I carefully explored I heard someone come down the stairs and go out to stand outside in a haze of cigarette smoke. It was the proprietor, small of stature and dirty of mac, he was coming back in as I was leaving. </div>
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'Oh no!' he exclaimed when he noticed me, 'I thought you were the ghost!'</div>
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'Really?' sez me, 'I'm not surprised <em>you</em> have a ghost.'</div>
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'Yes', said Himself, but it is a Man Ghost. I wouldn't entertain a Lady Ghost.</div>
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'No', retorts (a slightly indignant I) 'She would probably make you organise your shop. And get your duster out. I do like those Bristol blue bottles there...'</div>
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The next <strong>critical</strong> stage of recuperation is to Go Outside:</div>
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This is the way in to our walk in the fields. The ground is hard and dry now and the barley (?) makes the most beautiful rustling in the wind.</div>
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Across the golden meadow.</div>
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A carpet of bee buzzing clover.</div>
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In some of the fields, the maturing grain is slowly turning to gold and is waist high. There is a beautiful hot-dry fragrance of the grass and the dog picks out choice morsels to eat.</div>
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We return home and do a little gardening with the children:</div>
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Plan our next sewing journey:</div>
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I can't wait to get started with these fabrics, aren't they cute! (Again from Paragon) The blues are for E's quilt, and the butterflies are going to be Pj's for her. Do you remember Holly Hobbie? The most excellent Star Wars fabric was also going to be pyjamas, this time for O but according to the shop they are nearly on their last metre of this and may not get it again so I might persuade his to have pillow cases. He won't grow out of those.</div>
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The final stage in our restorative journey is to curl up with a good book and a beautiful thrifted collection is sometimes the most satisfying. I'm just mad about vintage children's books and I was so pleased to have found these ostensibly for E. I think the covers are stunning and the stories sound so imaginative. 'Oh dear Mammy!' said E, upon presentation of these books, 'They are very old-fashioned, like something you would read.'</div>
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Looks like everything is back to order and balance! :)</div>
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It really feels like proper summer now. What are you all looking forward too over the next few months? xxx</div>
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Linnet In Orielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283284636875494288noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520350618111497099.post-30933987272594549002015-05-12T02:56:00.002-07:002015-05-12T03:08:01.659-07:00We interrupt this blogging hiatus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<em>'Woman at her toilet' Jan Havicksz</em><em> </em> (<a href="http://www.riksmuseum.nl/">www.riksmuseum.nl</a>)</div>
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To bring you unprecedented news, this morning my wonderful children got dressed, independently in their own rooms which meant that <em>I </em>was allowed to get dressed, ALONE in my own room. No inquisitive remarks about the state/size/colour of bits of my body, no stealing my bra and putting on the dog, no long stream-of-consciousness discussion of the latest Sponge Bob plot. It was nice, quiet and almost relaxing, five minutes just for me that I had so often craved when they were toddlers and hanging off me like baby gorillas.</div>
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(image from igcp.org)</div>
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(Baby gorillas! So beautiful.)</div>
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Maybe if I am really honest a teensy bit too quiet. It is every Mothers dilemma isn't it? It is our life's work to <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/2015/apr/18/secret-teacher-parents-toilet-train-children">prepare our little ones</a> to become able and independent adults but little by little the wee caring tasks that mark babyhood then childhood, like feeding, holding hands when walking, tying shoelaces and the like slowly diminish. The rhythm of family life adjusts and while we are lucky enough to feel that fierce pride as we seen them growing up, it is a somewhat bittersweet journey, deep underneath we experience the acute loss of their early childhood. </div>
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In other news I am pleased to report that I went out for a run this morning and did not experience an agonising stitch in my side! I am still running the first week in the couch to 5k plan, as my running has been interrupted regularly, firstly by sore feet, then writing up my last essay for the OU and then a low-level virus that made me feel wiped for a couple of days. I am feeling more confident though so hopefully, I shall be moving on to the slightly more strenuous Week2 plan next time. </div>
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As I jogged up the last hill towards home, myself and Rosie bumped into Mr E whose black Labrador Benjy is very fond of our Rosie so we had to stop for a sniff and a weather update.</div>
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Almost but not quite managing to supress his astonishment at the unexpected sight of my breathless, puce-faced lycra-clad self; Mr E -after cheerfully delivering the doom-laded news that the week-end was going to be a wash out, softened the blow by leaving me with this jaunty riposte, 'Sure we are not doing too badly so far, are we?' Thanks, Mr E, we are doing just fine!</div>
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Hope all of you are too.xxx</div>
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Linnet In Orielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283284636875494288noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520350618111497099.post-37668023324934244052015-04-27T06:12:00.000-07:002015-04-29T03:18:25.811-07:00See you on the other side!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello! I have been away for so long I am feeling guilty for neglecting my poor wee blog. Mind you that is not the only thing that has been neglected around here. Last week I set aside a few hours to have a 'girly day' with my darling E and she was so grateful I felt like the worstest Mama ever! Yes, with the return of some great weather comes the hardest part of the academic year. Trying to summon up the energy to finish my last long essay and start revision for my final Open University exam. I am finding it so hard to be disciplined and concentrate on my work, I am surrounded also by unfinished knitting, crochet and sewing and the garden looks so tempting...I have many half-finished blog posts and little snatches of writing jostling for attention in my mind, it is so distracting! I have managed to acquire these two characters that are writing their story in my imagination, why they did not appear months ago when I have time to concentrate on their narrative, I have no idea! So, I am going to take a little break from blogging and just concentrate on the bare essentials for the next five weeks. I hope you all are well and I hope to 'see' you soon for a cup o' tea and a chat soon. xxxx<br />
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Ohh, I also wanted to update you on the Couch to 5k attempt, well the Easter week I did three runs and must have walked around 40k while out and about with the kids and Mr S, so my poor feet and ankles were just wrecked. On the Monday after the holidays I was in such pain I had to turn back from our morning dog walk after only 2k, a very disgruntled dog looked at me as if I just wasn't trying after she worked out that yes, we were going home early! I have got to admit I was quite depressed with the level of my mobility. So, after ignoring the pain in my feet that has been present for at least the last year, (well before I started running) I had a good rest for a week and then got fitted for insoles that will allegedly support my distressingly flat feet and bring all my muscles into alignment. And, you know so far so good -I am quite impressed with both the insoles and the fitting service provided my local sports shop. Hopefully, I will get out tonight for a pain-free run. All the very best!<br />
Love,<br />
Shauna.xxxxLinnet In Orielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283284636875494288noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520350618111497099.post-11307467570146008112015-03-28T07:00:00.001-07:002015-03-28T07:18:40.662-07:00Hand-made Friday.Yesterday, was a lovely day. One full of holiday spirit, sunshine and Very Excited Children. It was the annual Easter Hat Parade at school so all our children had to make their own creations out of re-cycled materials. I really enjoyed seeing all the creative ways that the kids (and parents!)had managed to put together such brilliant hats and had a lovely lift home on the school bus with all the kids. They were so delighted to be breaking up for the Easter hols, modelling their hats and showing me all the wee things that they had made. The excitement was infectious, it brought me right back to being a kid myself.<br />
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So myself and E & O had to walk to the shops and buy some holiday sweeties and I spotted these little chicks. They are so sweet and being sold for a local charity so they were immediately popped into my bag. The kids momentarily lost their already sticky grins as I sadly explained that the eggs hidden inside were for Dad and Me...</div>
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I stared to piece together some patchwork at last.<br />
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I really love that Tilda fabric and have a few more crafty ideas bubbling away, perhaps some pillowcases to contrast with my existing white bed-linen?<br />
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Later, I spotted this wee carving when out walking the dog. It is always a terrible shame when a tree has to be cut but what a nice way of re-using the stump.<br />
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Finally just a quick update on the Couch to 5k. So I completed the first three runs and felt completely exhausted yesterday. I think I will have to repeat week 1 as I couldn't possibly increase my running time to 90sec - writing that down is quite a sobering thought! <br />
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Have a lovely weekend!<br />
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Here are a few links that I happened across this week:<br />
Now, that it is spring I want to <a href="http://www.swedishhasbeens.com/">get my toes out!</a><br />
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brittany-policastro-/im-not-pregnant-its-just-_b_6489466.html">This</a> has happened to me twice and I still smart about it. Grrr.<br />
Despite Mr S proclaiming <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05p23bf">this programme as dull as dishwater, I love it!</a> The 1960's episode in particular was so interesting for me because while the rest of the family were energised by the exciting social changes occurring all around, poor Mammy was feeling disorientated and uneasy by the twin pulls of freedom and gender restrictions. <br />
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xxx<br />
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<br />Linnet In Orielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283284636875494288noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520350618111497099.post-81878424978020200822015-03-23T06:31:00.000-07:002015-03-23T06:34:46.187-07:00Spring Equinox, Solar Eclipse, Flat Feet.Hello Everybody!<br />
Sorry I have been completely useless at blogging for the last while, I been so preoccupied with all my reading and essay writing on for my Open University course I have had zero bloggy inspiration for the past few weeks. <br />
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Last Friday, was an interesting day however, well in my head anyway! First of all I had a fantastic walk with the doggy while the eclipse was in full flow. At first the skies were completely shrouded in thick grey cloud, I was so gutted as I was so excited about finally getting to see this amazing phenomenon. Then, all of a sudden a small chink of blue appeared and then another and then wonder, there was the sun with the characteristic scoop taken out of her side. For a good twenty minutes or so the clouds would obscure and reveal, obscure and reveal. I missed the totality of the eclipse but it was such a treat just to see a tiny glimpse of these two ancient celestial bodies moving in such beautiful alignment. It was so strange walking in the fields, in a morning twilight and so eerily quiet until the birds began to sing again.<br />
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So energised after all that, off I trotted to have my gait analysed and buy some running shoes in my local sports shop. I am going to attempt the <a href="http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/c25k/Pages/get-running-with-couch-to-5k.aspx">Couch to 5k</a> challenge, do you remember I wrote about it <a href="http://linnetinoriel.blogspot.ie/2015/02/february-challenges-small-steps-into.html">here?</a> I was rather depressed by the uncouth sight of my too large bottom on the treadmill and was dismayed at the diagnosis of flat feet and a duck-like walking style. I firmly resisted the in-the-sale 80 euro trainers despite the "<a href="http://www.asics.co.uk/Shop/Running/GT-2000-3/p/0010236588.9990?shoeWidthCode=standard">Vertical flex groove</a> [which] <a href="http://www.asics.co.uk/Shop/Running/GT-2000-3/p/0010236588.9990?shoeWidthCode=standard">decouples the tooling along the line of progression for enhanced gait efficiency".</a> and went for the cheapest support available. <br />
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In fairness, the guys in the shop were incredibly helpful and very tactful about my feet and the hole in my sock which had embarrassingly appeared despite careful inspection before visit to said shop! They also gracefully ignored my almost involuntary outbursts of 'How much?! and too loud cynicism about certain aspects of the high tech shoes. I did not buy the recommended insoles but given the regular pain in my feet and back I am very tempted to give them a try.<br />
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That evening, with some butterflies in my tummy off I went for my first run -do you know what it wasn't too bad! I nearly gave up after about four of the 6, 60 second jogs but pod-cast Laura was very supportive so I did manage to make it till the end. Rosie the Labrador was very excited about this night-time running malarkey but was a bit annoyed that I wouldn't stop to let her sniff and scavenge. I did have to pause the run to pick up the most enormous dog mess and find a bin and she practically dislocated my shoulder as she tried to make off in the totally opposite direction to murder a cat.<br />
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To be perfectly honest, it wasn't that much fun but I was pleased that I did manage the Week 1 plan -but only just! Today, I went out for the second of the three Week 1 runs and found it<u> much much harder</u> barely making it to the end of the jogs but strangely I find myself looking forward to the next run. I think the breakdown of the exercise plan into weeks and the split between walking/jogging make this plan a really realistic expectation for someone like me who has never exercised regularly. Phew, I am tired though perhaps I will spend the rest of the afternoon <strike>reading with some banana bread on the sofa</strike>, recovering and drinking water. I am going to leave you with some sweet little wild primroses that I found in the fields this morning. How are you all enjoying these first few days of proper Spring? x<br />
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EDIT-Couch to 5K Details.</div>
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Week 1</div>
For the runs in Week 1, you will begin with a brisk 5-minute warm-up walk, then you will alternate 60 seconds of running, with 90 seconds of walking, for a total of 20 minutes. <a href="http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/c25k/Pages/get-running-with-couch-to-5k.aspx">http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/c25k/Pages/get-running-with-couch-to-5k.aspx</a>Linnet In Orielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283284636875494288noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520350618111497099.post-35952000351855943652015-02-27T08:33:00.000-08:002015-03-01T10:15:44.137-08:00Reclaiming the Ramparts. (A celebration and a rant!)Way back in Autumn on a crisp Friday morning I went for a walk in one of my favourite places in Drogheda. The Ramparts walk which follows the banks of the river Boyne from St Dominic's Park to <a href="http://www.battleoftheboyne.ie/">Oldbridge House.</a> one of our most historic sites as it was here that two kings, one Dutch and one English would fight a battle, the memory of which would eventually command an incredible longevity in Irish history. That day was full of calm sunshine, everywhere there was inspiring colour.<br />
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The grass looks like a Farrow and Ball colour.</div>
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I love the stone work on the old mill.</div>
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Hidden pockets of light and shadow.</div>
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Turning to look back at the town, almost sepia.</div>
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The river looked beautiful, dressed in shifting alluring reflections and contrasts. In myth and legend, the river was Boyne created by the Goddess Boann who disobeyed her husband Nectain and channelled the power of his magic well so that the waters rose and surged all the way to the sea. But the waters drowned Boann and her faithful dog Dabilla.</div>
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This is the fourth river I have lived near and while the sea and the coast are my first loves, I love the slow drama of the riverbank. The Boyne is a tidal river and sometimes her moods are far from subtle. I love(d) the freedom of this walk, safe for the dog to be off-lead for long stretches and the promise of a lovely cup of coffee in the café at Oldbridge House. Sometimes, you may be lucky to be accompanied by a seal, I had no idea these beautiful animals would venture so far into fresh water and was deliciously spooked one day when one raised a sleek grey head to study me. The colour that day has inspired another crochet blanket, about which I have written a little<a href="http://linnetinoriel.blogspot.ie/2015/02/february-challenges-small-steps-into.html"> here</a>.<br />
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However, I have avoided the Ramparts walk since then and that was due to a shocking incident a couple of weeks later when a female jogger was attacked by a man here at 9.00am. Horrifically, despite falling into the river, the man continued to attempt to assault this poor woman. Profound shock was replaced by anger when the response by the Guardi warning women not to walk or jog alone. The fallacy of this response was eloquently expressed by Una Mullany in the Irish Times <a href="http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/drogheda-jogger-attack-shows-focus-needs-to-move-from-victim-to-perpetrator-1.2011905">here</a>. No one has been arrested following the incident.<br />
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I was angry at the attacker, at the police and at myself - for allowing this mans actions to influence my own behaviour. I love walking with other people but I <u>need</u> to walk alone. It gives me a chance to think or some times <em>not </em>to think. For me, walking and pushing myself to walk greater distances can become almost a meditative experience. I had planned to eventually continue further and walk part of the Boyne Navigation Canal that ran to the town of Navan. So, I have been waiting for the moment to return and today which began frosty and light was the perfect morning.<br />
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By the time I had left the house though it was all grey! Look at the difference in the park,<br />
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The walk has now been closed thanks to a landslide at the Oldbridge end just where walkers are supposed to join the 800 000 euro boardwalk that is supposed to link these heritage areas. <a href="http://www.independent.ie/regionals/droghedaindependent/news/bright-hopes-for-the-future-as-oldbridge-boardwalk-opened-30272977.html">Here are our representatives congratulating themselves</a> yet despite this critical investment for the area, the walkway has been inaccessible from the Drogheda end because the impotent council cannot seem to engineer a solution to the landslide or to bring to account one of the country's biggest developers who built a housing estate on the problematic land. I -on my own responsibility- ignored the closed signs as the majority of the walk is safe and probably the only public land in the locality which is both accessible by foot and where a dog can enjoy essential lead-free time.</div>
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Despite this shameful neglect of one of the prizes in our local environment and the fact that I couldn't continue I am glad I walked this route today. I put some demons to rest. Future plans for the area include a walk/cycle way from the <a href="http://droghedamuseum.blogspot.ie/2013/07/the-maiden-tower-mornington.html">Elizabethan Maiden Tower</a> at coastal Mornington through Drogheda to Oldbridge eventually finishing at the UNESCO site of<a href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/659"> Bru Na Boinne</a>. Wouldn't that be an amazing amenity for the area, so much more valuable to the needs of the local community and our very welcome tourists than yet another empty retail park?</div>
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If you have stayed to the end of this long post, thank-you so much. Have a fantastic weekend! Can you believe next week it will be March? xxxx</div>
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<br />Linnet In Orielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283284636875494288noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520350618111497099.post-36311500161859568252015-02-26T06:47:00.004-08:002015-02-26T06:49:06.870-08:00Mellow Yellow.Today, I am having a Spring break, a rest, an interlude.<br />
No study today as my head hurts trying to grapple with the economic history of Europe post-1945.<br />
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So I am going to walk and then clean. Bake and wash. Paint some skirting boards. Then sit on the step to admire the blue sky, the scuttling white clouds and my satisfactory line of washing. I am going to plant some little seeds and see if any daffodils have unfurled. <br />
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The light has changed, there is now a yellow warmth that has been absent for a winter's while.<br />
Today my house smells of furniture polish, warm towels, incense, linseed oil, baking and coffee. With some low notes of damp Labrador.<br />
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I am going to eat scones, drink coffee and read <em>The Girl on the Train. (</em>And wonder why macro will not work on the 'good' camera...)<br />
This weekend I am going to do some long overdue visiting to family and friends.<br />
Then the real hard study-time begins and lasts all the way to June but for today I am just content to take some little moments to be still and soak up some sunlight.<br />
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I hope you are having a nice day too.xxxLinnet In Orielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283284636875494288noreply@blogger.com4