Keeping Vigil

Year after year after year
I have come to love slowly
how old houses hold themselves—
before November’s drizzled rain
or the refreshing light of June—
as if they have all come to agree
that, in time, the days are no longer
a matter of suffering or rejoicing.
I have come to love
how they take on the color of rain or sun
as they go on keeping their vigil
without need of a sign, awaiting nothing

more than the birds that sing from the eaves,
the seizing cold that sounds the rafters.
Robert Cording


A bit of everything today - mainy high winds, but at least they're warm(ish). Coffee with TJ this morning, followed by a bit of planting and then we decided to try one of the new Fastnet Trails, recently organised on the Mizen Peninsula. We parked at Lisheen and did the Ilen River walk, only getting slightly wet now and again. All on roads but the roads are tiny and the hedgerows full of flowers. Part of the walk was along the river - now large and wide as it heads to the sea. I spotted this little farm at the end of a dirt track - fitting in so perfectly with its surroundings;  a little neglected but still occupied, a timeless air.
We finished off the afternoon with tea (Earl Grey with lavender, rather odd) and scones at Budds.  Rather pleasant.

And we much enjoyed Mr Holmes- sedate, gentle, thoughtful, beautifully acted and multilayered. Chips good too.