The beginning and end of April were very busy, very stressful. Though, compared to living in a city, commuting on public transport and dealing with company deadlines and angsty bosses, however, I suppose you might think “stress” is non-existent here.
But it certainly existed when we discovered we were going to be locked down in our houses all day while a motor rally used our lane as a racetrack.
Note: that’s all day.
And on a Sunday, too. So no walking the dog, no children cycling, no strolling with the visitors – no visitors, either. No one could go to church or town or the beach, unless they were prepared to stay away until 7 pm.
The signs posted along the road informed us we could voice our opinion, but when at least five families in our immediate hamlet did so, we were just told by the council that the organizers would “do their best” to not inconvenience us – just force us to stay at home on a Sunday while a tiny minority used the public road for 4 km for a sporting event.
We were not happy.
How the dairy farm at the end of the road managed, I don’t know. I expect the cows were crossing their legs while they waited to get across the road to be milked.
On a brighter note, we were getting ready for the Féile na Bealtaine, the big arts and music festival over the May Day weekend, celebrating the beginning of Summer.
I’ve been painting, painting, painting for months now, trying to redevelop my skills with the new medium of acrylics (new to me, anyway). I’ve always painted in oils, but they are so smelly and take so long to dry that they are not ideal. I’ve never liked the texture of most brands, but then I discovered the American Golden ranges. Wow, what a difference.
Now I can paint thickly, like with oils, or in many thin, transparent layers like watercolours. And the colours are so much brighter and more natural than other brands. Expensive, but certainly worth it. I feel my creativity has been given a much-needed boost.
The result is 12 large new paintings, seven of which are displayed on a staircase wall in An Díseart, the Dingle Arts and Cultural Centre. (I also have three other paintings there, plus three big embroideries – but more on the festival next month).
I’m planning to start a YouTube channel – but so far, all I’ve got is an idea. I’ll have to find a teenager to help me…
With all the lovely sunny weather we’ve been having, the wild flowers are coming through thick and fast. The fields are still strung with golden gorse covered with bees, and all along our dog-walking route, bluebells trickle like water.
So yes, not really any stress at all. Just beautiful scenery that lifts the heart. Magical.
And if the flowers and sunshine weren’t enough, we were treated to a stunning spectacle yesterday:
Truly blessed.