Touring West of Ireland with private driver

They say that, when the trees are loaded with berries, we are in for a very hard and cold Winter as nature provides all this extra food for the birds to store away for the cold days ahead. This lovely holly bush is heavily laden with gorgeous berries, and it adds to the Christmas feel that is already in the air.That theory may very well be true as right now we appear to be gradually entering a long cold spell and it looks set to get worse. November was a very mild and kind month this year but December has seen a change as first of all we experienced wild and wet weather, and right now, eventhough the wind and rain are still with us, it has begun to turn bitterly cold. Today we saw the first of the sleet and the forecast for the next few days is more of the same with a continuing gradual decline in temperatures with snow on high ground. We could be looking at a white Christmas this year.

This scene is a reminder of warmer days. I took this photograph during the Summer in Dingle harbour as i enjoyed a boat chase around the bay after Fungi the dolphin. He spends all of his time here in the bay and is probably the most popular resident in Dingle, and has been for almost thirty years now. The little lady sitting on her Mom's lap was fascinated by this guy and, if she had her way, she would have brought him home with her. If you do get to Dingle i would highly recommend taking a trip on one of the boats that take you on this most entertaining chase, and Fungi always appears. He is so reliable that the operators will return your money if he does not show. I have never had to ask for it back, and i have taken this trip on more than one occassion. It is great fun.

So much to see, and all of it beautiful.....toss a coin? This sign post, one of many such signposts at a crossroads in Ireland, is located at Maam in the Maam valley in Connemara. Some of the signs are in Irish (Gaelic) and you can make out Cong, Maam Cross, Leenane, before needing a local to translate the rest for you.

These bushes are Whitethorn and are very common in the area i live in. The traditional Blackthorn walking stick was made from the branches of the Whitethorn tree. It was much more than a walking stick as it had a lot of spikey protrusions all the way along the shaft which would help the owner to deliver a very damaging blow to anybody who was looking for trouble. They did make lovely and decorative walking sticks when they were crafted and varnished to a glossy shining finish. I know....i have one myself and i enjoy my walks with my trusty Blackthorn stick.

The Christmas spirit has appeared as people begin to get out and about hunting for their Christmas shopping. The recession will not kill Christmas in Ireland as we have always let ourselves go at this special time with the attitude that tomorrow will look after itself. Christmas in Ireland is like Christmas nowhere else as it begins in early December and lasts right through to the New Year. We do know how to celebrate in this country, and long may it last. I always find it strange when i hear people talking about having Christmas day off and then going back to work the following day, or maybe two days afterwards. In Ireland most people have at the very least a few days off with many having at least a week. You would not want to be looking for a plumber or an electrician as all the trades are on holidays. It is only in recent years that shops are open shortly after Christmas and it is not that long ago when people stocked up their provisions as there was nowhere open to buy the basic everyday items for a few days. Eventhough it has changed, we still celebrate with abandon for a generous few days so, if you are free, then Ireland at Christmas is a great place to be.
January will see a surge in enquiries as usual so my advice to anyone who may be thinking about an Irish holiday is to get a move on and and try to beat the rush. After all, it is always Christmas in Ireland.