Kilmacurragh House, #botanicalgardens #gardens #wicklow

Basking in the Sun

More Gimping

Spring Magic Gimped

I finally got to sit down last week and really explore Gimp. A friend of mine did a wonderful photo of her husband and kid in the woods, in black and white with only the little man's blue coat picked out in colour. I was both impressed and jealous so I set myself a task (results above) and went through it step by step until I managed it. Delighted with myself :) I also realised there's a lot more going on with Gimp than I imagined; so I am going to have a lot of fun exploring it.

Spring magic # 2

White Blossom

Just to remind myself of the glorious Spring weather the weekend before last lol

And tomorrow is Bealtine, and the start of Summer. Baal's fires lit, and the climb towards the shortest day is begun in earnest. It's hard not to get excited even in the teeth of the last two summers' disappointing weather; I'd love to be able to predict a long hot summer (although apparently the UK weather office has!) but at least the evenings will be long, the nights short and flowers will bloom....

More flowers from last weekend

Buzz Off

Spray of Gold

Haven't a clue what the name is (if anyone does let me know lol) but I love this plant, it has such perfectly hued sprays, and it grows so easily (at elast in my experience and as I can kill plants without trying....) My mother has green fingers, my Grandmother was a fabulous gardener and I inherited their love of it but not their talent. It's taken me years of dedicated perseverance to grow herbs and tomatoes - god help this year's strawberries!

Fallen Angels

Spring Magic # 1: Cameo Rose and White Columbine

Aquilegia CAMEO ROSE AND WHITE COLUMBINE Attracts Butterflies and Hummingbirds

Mountain Road

Part of our trek through the mountains and forests took us down a rocky track which, the sign informed us, should not be attempted in Winter or in heavy rain. Halfway down it became apparent why not, as it was less a track and more a river bed.

I can see forever....

In the Forest Darkly

Connecting

In the green, green forest...

Top of the Yellow walk, Glendalough

Glendalough

Well we went on our first hike yesterday; my husband decided to take me on his favourite training walk, which nearly killed me, but I am feeling extremely virtuous at having completed it. It took me a woefully long time, I was as unfit as an elderly mammoth - troops of brownies passed me out, easily - but I did get to stand on top of a mountain and take photos.

I'll be posting them over the next few days!

Laid Bare

Spring! Beannachtaí na feile Bride daoibh