Invoking memories of an Irish holiday

I've always loved large fuchsia bushes with small thin dangling flowers, especially when they go wild. It brings vivid memories of hedgerows in Ireland seen when travelling there in 1980. Seeing this plant tonight while walking with Helena in our local cemetery brought back wonderful memories of that trip.

In July 1980 I’d been invited by Merrily H. to join her and her two brothers, Patrick and John, as well as our good friend Patrick W., to celebrate Patrick H’s 40th birthday. We all flew to meet Merrily at Knock Airport, where she had a car and a mystery itinerary for us all. We had such a wonderful time which included climbing the holy mountain, Croagh Patrick, in intense heat, after staying overnight above the bar in Matt Molloy's pub in Westport! I did indeed stagger upstairs after a few draughts of fine Guinness.

Merrily always creates magical tours for Patrick's birthday celebrations and this one lasted the whole week. We had an amazing night staying in a grand old estate somewhere in the heart of southern Ireland, where before breakfast Patrick W. and I ventured out in a dinghy to delight in exploring the lake as a mid-summer day began. From there we headed to the far south-west to stay for a few days in Merrily’s cliff top cottage in the near Schull. I couldn’t resist posting in the ‘Extras’ some of the few pictures I have from those magical few days. Thank you so much Merrily and Pat.

You might be interested in Merrily’s paintings some of which can be seen here. Both Merrily and Patrick now live near each other in West Dorset, another place I like very much. Who couldn't.