The summer has arrived - at least it seems like it. The last few days have been magnificent - and like everyone else most likely we have been all trying to spend as much time outside as possible. We had a picnic on our cliffs - and instead of having the Zumba afternoon in the farm there was a lot of dancing outside the weavery. There are quite a few red faces and arms - and Thomas Ryan and Hangul have been brave enough to jump into the sea ( with wetsuits though ).Tomas is is going up to the cliffs every day to check up on the cows which are all happy to be outside again - and we are only waiting for one more sheep to lamb.Sadly Marion left us last week but we will not have to go to far to see her as she is living and working in town.
The weavers have been incredibly productive with making rugs and scarves in lots of different colours for the market season and the gardeners are busy with tending to all the seedlings that have been planted - and have done a lot of planting outside. The garden looks amazing.So far the battle with the weeds has not yet started - but later on in the early summer we will welcome some extra help of some enthusiastic weeders.
Easter is around the corner - and once again we are busy preparing for a festival - which is very important in our Camphill life. People have been blowing out eggs to paint and decorate the houses with - and we are doing a lot of singing.We wish you all a lovely Easter day - and great weather.
Monday, 26 March 2012
Monday, 12 March 2012
March 2012 News
Lots has happened in the last few weeks. We have nine new lambs and they are all happily jumping around on the field . Everyone really enjoys watching them as they are all on the field that we need to pass to get to work. One of the Dexter cows that we got in the autumn had a calf - which is tiny compared to the calfs one usually sees as the Dexter Cows are quite small.
A lot of excitement was had last week when the Container that has been on our land since before we started seven years was removed. It was a little bit like the end of an era. We were remembering back to when we first opened it - packed with old bedsprings and lots of other things.It took us days to empty it - and it was soon filled with lots of other things as it has been the only storage space we had for a long time. Some of the benches we found are still being used to this day - although they got the occasional lick of paint.The bedsprings we had found also had been used for many things - as fences, wire for the beans and peas to grow up on and one is still being used as the door to the chicken run.But now there is a nice space which is being straight away filled with various sheds- so that all looks a little bit neat and tidy. Otherwise people are busy with getting ready for St. Patricks day. A group is busy with rehearsing drumming - while others are going to join the Bee-keepers at the Parade on Saturday - and the rest of the Community will be found watching the parade this year.
A lot of excitement was had last week when the Container that has been on our land since before we started seven years was removed. It was a little bit like the end of an era. We were remembering back to when we first opened it - packed with old bedsprings and lots of other things.It took us days to empty it - and it was soon filled with lots of other things as it has been the only storage space we had for a long time. Some of the benches we found are still being used to this day - although they got the occasional lick of paint.The bedsprings we had found also had been used for many things - as fences, wire for the beans and peas to grow up on and one is still being used as the door to the chicken run.But now there is a nice space which is being straight away filled with various sheds- so that all looks a little bit neat and tidy. Otherwise people are busy with getting ready for St. Patricks day. A group is busy with rehearsing drumming - while others are going to join the Bee-keepers at the Parade on Saturday - and the rest of the Community will be found watching the parade this year.
Monday, 27 February 2012
February 2012 ews
It is hard to believe that it is nearly the end of February - and march is standing at the door. Spring is well on the way - and one can really see nature waking up. The first of the lambs are expected any day now - which is always a big excitement as everyone loves to see the new born lambs running around on the fields. The basket weavers, Thomas Ryan and Marcus are very busy at the moment with making willow fences in the garden to create more shelter from the wind. It is quite amazing to see the huge amounts of willow they are bringing up from the bog where until a few years ago there was very little growing. 5 years ago we planted lots of trees on our land - and the ones in the bog were planted in an attempt to dry it out a little - and to create a little woodland area.
Unfortunately we have lost 5 of our ducks since the last time that I wrote - as the fox paid a nightly visit - so that we only have 4 ducks left. But tomorrow we are going to be joined by a few chickens that are going to be living in the garden of our house up in Lisdeargan.
Last week a few of us spent some days in Ballinskelligs where we were participating in a music workshop which was held in Waterville. It was a great week and apart from making music we also had the chance to explore the surroundings - though we all would have appreciated a little better weather.
Now we are looking forward to some old co-workers coming for a visit - and helping a little in the garden and on the farm.
Unfortunately we have lost 5 of our ducks since the last time that I wrote - as the fox paid a nightly visit - so that we only have 4 ducks left. But tomorrow we are going to be joined by a few chickens that are going to be living in the garden of our house up in Lisdeargan.
Last week a few of us spent some days in Ballinskelligs where we were participating in a music workshop which was held in Waterville. It was a great week and apart from making music we also had the chance to explore the surroundings - though we all would have appreciated a little better weather.
Now we are looking forward to some old co-workers coming for a visit - and helping a little in the garden and on the farm.
Monday, 13 February 2012
February 2012 News
Everyone has been enjoying the lovely weather these last few days and one can really feel a buzz around the place. More and more of the hens and the ducks are laying eggs and a lot of work is done. The gardeners have started sowing in the poly tunnel, have planted a few new fruit bushes and Dominic, Stephen and Darren have been very busy with shifting the smelly compost There is a lot of nice compost to be used in the coming months.The first tulips and hyacinths are peeping out of the ground, even the first rhubarb is starting to show. The bullock that was mIt is hard to believe that it is nearly the end of February - and march is standing at the door. Spring is well on the way - and one can really see nature waking up. The first of the lambs are expected any day now - which is always a big excitement as everyone loves to see the new born lambs running around on the fields. The basket weavers, Thomas Ryan and Marcus are very busy at the moment with making willow fences in the garden to create more shelter from the wind. It is quite amazing to see the huge amounts of willow they are bringing up from the bog where until a few years ago there was very little growing. 5 years ago we planted lots of trees on our land - and the ones in the bog were planted in an attempt to dry it out a little - and to create a little woodland area.
Unfortunately we have lost 5 of our ducks since the last time that I wrote - as the fox paid a nightly visit - so that we only have 4 ducks left. But tomorrow we are going to be joined by a few chickens that are going to be living in the garden of our house up in Lisdeargan.
Last week a few of us spent some days in Ballinskelligs where we were participating in a music workshop which was held in Waterville. It was a great week and apart from making music we also had the chance to explore the surroundings - though we all would have appreciated a little better weather.
Now we are looking forward to some old co-workers coming for a visit - and helping a little in the garden and on the farm. eant to join us a few weeks ago but unfortunately escaped has finally joined the herd, but not before he tried to get over a few fences when the vet paid him a few visits. Now he seems content enough to be in the farm and has not attempted to run off yet. Mick and John Joe have been very busy with clearing out the ditches along the road to the hardcore road and have been putting the final touches to the new farm shed which is really finished now. A group of us going for a little music holiday in Cahersiveen next week which we can tell about the next time. The birthday season seems to be over for a while as we have been celebrating three birthdays in the last weeks one of them which was a big 21st!!!
Unfortunately we have lost 5 of our ducks since the last time that I wrote - as the fox paid a nightly visit - so that we only have 4 ducks left. But tomorrow we are going to be joined by a few chickens that are going to be living in the garden of our house up in Lisdeargan.
Last week a few of us spent some days in Ballinskelligs where we were participating in a music workshop which was held in Waterville. It was a great week and apart from making music we also had the chance to explore the surroundings - though we all would have appreciated a little better weather.
Now we are looking forward to some old co-workers coming for a visit - and helping a little in the garden and on the farm. eant to join us a few weeks ago but unfortunately escaped has finally joined the herd, but not before he tried to get over a few fences when the vet paid him a few visits. Now he seems content enough to be in the farm and has not attempted to run off yet. Mick and John Joe have been very busy with clearing out the ditches along the road to the hardcore road and have been putting the final touches to the new farm shed which is really finished now. A group of us going for a little music holiday in Cahersiveen next week which we can tell about the next time. The birthday season seems to be over for a while as we have been celebrating three birthdays in the last weeks one of them which was a big 21st!!!
Monday, 30 January 2012
January 2012 News
Again it is time to write for the West Kerry Live and I find myself a little lost at what to write as very little is happening at the moment. Like everyone we are looking forward to greeting the spring which we will be celebrating with Candlemas which is on the 2nd of february. Every year we make earth candles which we then plant in the garden and light to warm up the ground - so if you happen to be passing that night and you see lights in our garden you will know what it is. We will also hope for bad weather on that day as it is said that 'if Candlemas is bright with sun then the winter has just begun but if Candlemasday is dark with rain then winter's power is on the wane.'
At the beginning of the week we celebrated Tomas' birthday - and AnnMarie is looking forward to a special birthdayparty with lots of friends and family at the end of the week.
Otherwise all is well - the oneeyed kitten which was rescued over christmas has joined the many animals on the land and is making sure that he is not forgotten - allthough he is not meant to be there but should live a little bit down the road but he is seen trotting along the road when people are walking to work.The gander seems to be feeling the spring as no one is allowed to go anywhere near his goose - with a lot of noise and hissing everyone is being chased away - only a few fearless can go near him.
At the beginning of the week we celebrated Tomas' birthday - and AnnMarie is looking forward to a special birthdayparty with lots of friends and family at the end of the week.
Otherwise all is well - the oneeyed kitten which was rescued over christmas has joined the many animals on the land and is making sure that he is not forgotten - allthough he is not meant to be there but should live a little bit down the road but he is seen trotting along the road when people are walking to work.The gander seems to be feeling the spring as no one is allowed to go anywhere near his goose - with a lot of noise and hissing everyone is being chased away - only a few fearless can go near him.
Monday, 16 January 2012
January 2012 News
After the long Christmas time it is wonderful to be getting back into the working routine and not having to many things that are out of the ordinary although we did have a few birthdays to celebrate over the last week.
We have been joined by a new co-worker who will be staying with us for three months and also John Joe and Kathleen from FAS have joined the ranks and are working alongside everyone which is very much appreciated by all.A lot of work has gone into clearing out the rusty container that has been sitting on our land ever since we got here seven years ago - and we are all looking forward to getting rid of it soon and making some space for new ventures in its stead.
A new bullock joined us for a day last week - but seemed to be rather keen to get back to his old field and easily overcame two fences and a hedge and scared a few neighbours while galloping back along the road to his old field without a passport !We will have to see how we can coax him to stay...
Otherwise things are rather uneventful - but everyone is enjoying the rather mild days. The chickens all have started laying eggs again - and even the occasional duck egg can be found. The daffodils are all peeping out of the ground and there seems to be a little bit of confusion about the beginning of the spring so everyone is hoping that the winter has actually passed us by. All in all it is a rather uneventful time which is very much appreciated by everyone.
We have been joined by a new co-worker who will be staying with us for three months and also John Joe and Kathleen from FAS have joined the ranks and are working alongside everyone which is very much appreciated by all.A lot of work has gone into clearing out the rusty container that has been sitting on our land ever since we got here seven years ago - and we are all looking forward to getting rid of it soon and making some space for new ventures in its stead.
A new bullock joined us for a day last week - but seemed to be rather keen to get back to his old field and easily overcame two fences and a hedge and scared a few neighbours while galloping back along the road to his old field without a passport !We will have to see how we can coax him to stay...
Otherwise things are rather uneventful - but everyone is enjoying the rather mild days. The chickens all have started laying eggs again - and even the occasional duck egg can be found. The daffodils are all peeping out of the ground and there seems to be a little bit of confusion about the beginning of the spring so everyone is hoping that the winter has actually passed us by. All in all it is a rather uneventful time which is very much appreciated by everyone.
Monday, 2 January 2012
January 2012 News
2012 has arrived - and with it lots of hopes for the future. Just before Christmas we applied for planning permission for our new house and for a workshop building which we are hoping to build and that we have been- and still are- busy fundraising for. If all goes well we may be able to start building this summer...!!!
After Christmas it is always a quiet time in the Community. Some people go home to their families and others take time for walks and enjoy a bit more of a reflective time. Unfortunately it was all accompanied by a lot of rain this year - and some of us seemed always to be trying to dodge the showers.
This year , the Carnival band went out on the Wren for us and collected € 470 and I understand that some children in Mayo went out to collect for us .Thank you all for your help and support.
On New Year's Eve those left in the Community and our many visitors joined the throng to see the fireworks in town and afterwards celebrated the arrival of the New Year in Dingle.
Now we are slowly returning to normal life.The first visitors have left and soon everyone will be coming back from their holidays . All our workshops will be starting up again and we look forward to a host of new activities on our land in 2012.
After Christmas it is always a quiet time in the Community. Some people go home to their families and others take time for walks and enjoy a bit more of a reflective time. Unfortunately it was all accompanied by a lot of rain this year - and some of us seemed always to be trying to dodge the showers.
This year , the Carnival band went out on the Wren for us and collected € 470 and I understand that some children in Mayo went out to collect for us .Thank you all for your help and support.
On New Year's Eve those left in the Community and our many visitors joined the throng to see the fireworks in town and afterwards celebrated the arrival of the New Year in Dingle.
Now we are slowly returning to normal life.The first visitors have left and soon everyone will be coming back from their holidays . All our workshops will be starting up again and we look forward to a host of new activities on our land in 2012.
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