Oifig an phoist

Well, the wealth and health prophesised by getting the ring in my slice of barm brack did not materialise. I was struck down with something nasty yesterday - headache and nausea, a bit like a hangover without the drink, so no blip. Maybe the wealth bit will come true.

Wild weather in the night and this morning but I braved the elements this afternoon and delivered a few cards, including some to this post office. It's worth bigifying as it sells just about everything - ice creams, saddles, woolly hats, fly papers, biscuits, Jamesons, newspapers, paracetemol, cheese...
You can also buy shillelagh - those sticks in the centre of the image. Now used as walking sticks they were originally fearsome weapons. Traditionally made from blackthorn, the tip was hollowed out and filled with molten lead, all the better to beat someone with. The knob could also be used very effectively as a cudgel. Apparently the Irish Guards were once armed with them!
In the summer the Post office expands into a wine bar below and a restaurant above, with Maire the post lady doing all the cooking. The food is excellent tradtional cooking and it does very well.

By the time I left the PO there was a glimmer of light in the sky so I did a bit of standing stone exploration. It was extremely muddy everywhere and I had been preceeded in each case by cattle - in fact they were still there in one field, plus big bull - not a good time to be wearing a bright orange mac! I found the stones though, and one lot have cup marks on - maybe tomorrow's blip.