Wild fennel

Last night's walk to the star fort was fascinating. We trudged through muddy fields and arrived at the site - not much left but the outline of the ramparts and ditches were still clear, though much covered by trees and undergrowth. It had been built in 1650, during the Anglo-Dutch wars, seemingly as an armed outpost guarding Bantry Bay in case of invasion. I couldn't quite work out why that was likely but never mind. It sounded a though it had always been a bit God-forsaken for it was abandoned after 30 years after many letters requesting help to restore the cannons, repair the drawbridge and send victuals. A little town grew up around it though and a few traces of buildings an a quay still remain.

We carried on down to the sea and walked around a beautiful and unspoilt headland. The weather was amazing - brilliant sunshine, huge clouds, torrential but brief outbursts of rain and a spectacularrainbow that seemed to come right into the sea. We treated ourselves to a pizza and glass of wine afterwards.

The weather in the night was incredible - brief but really torrential bursts of rain. It's carried on on and off all day. I've been down at Alice West Museum. Not many customers just the odd soggy walker, so I've managed to finish cataloguing all the books. I've just heard that an old lady has just died and her son has left her book collection to the museum - another 28 boxfuls!!
Today's blip was on the way to Alice West's - the clouds were spectacular and the fennel is such a pretty shape - and yes, another bee (actually a wasp) has been captured!

Tonight there's pot luck supper (Indian theme) and samba at Sheila's. It's all go.