So many words get thrown at us these days that I hesitate to add to the bombardment. When I do, I would like to throw out a word of peace and encouragement. Yet how are we to prize such goodies ‘through the iron gates of life’? Surely not, if they are to be genuine, by simply ignoring all the terrible facts of our human situation!

“Doom and gloom get you nowhere,” said the bright young lecturer, when I attended a climate change meeting at the Cork University Environmental Society. “Maybe not,” I responded, “but then they are in it, and if we can’t learn to live with them, we shall merely become neurotic and ineffective.”

At Horseshoe Cottage, we offer simple hospitality; hopefully a bit of respite from pressure and noise, with the chance to savour the loveliness and wonder of our surroundings here on Sherkin. However the spirit in which we do so is not merely escapist and romantic (though it may be a bit of that too); we do have ‘a sterner purpose’.

It is born of a goodly number of years wrestling with the awareness that our civilisation has been, and largely remains, bent on an unsustainable and destructive trip, swept along in the idolatry of technological power. The responsibility is ours to develop an alternative way of life; acknowledging our creaturehood, we seek to reverence and celebrate God’s creation, and to live in a sustainable and harmonious relationship with it; in other words, to get fun and joy back into living, while actually making it work.

Teaming up with Con Minihane and the Inishbeg for Peter Foot’s stag party was one great success this month. Taking guests out, dodging round the local bays and islands, never ceases to give pleasure, yes, to both myself and my guests. Well I couldn’t expect other people to enjoy it if I don’t, could I? The way I look at it, as a fisherman I used to earn my living by providing satisfaction in the makings of a good meal; now I provide the satisfaction direct! Not that meals are off the agenda; I rather take pride in making sure my guests are well fed.

All the better for heading over the horizon to Brittany or Spain now and again; it’s good to bring home the goodies they have to offer, and I also have to admit to a certain gratification that this is even a sensible and economical alternative to flying these days, for going to see our Bella in Guernsey or bringing some friends home from France. Never mind all that angst and hassle, make the travelling the best part of your trip by going under sail!

Fiona loves to have her hands in the soil, which is great, but I particularly feel the need to break out regularly on the sea. The contrasting energies of sea and land, sail and soil, have helped keep our marriage feisty these forty odd years, and again, we hope our guests enjoy them! With our own children now only occasional visitors, we feel blessed with the young people who come to us as Wwoofers. Along with helping with the donkeywork and joining us in making our guests welcome, they also share our fumbling aspirations towards a graced and sustainable way of life.

Archive:-

April 2010

January 2010

December 2009

November 2009

June 2009

May 2009
January 2009
November 2008
September 2008
August 2008
Midsummer report 2008
April 2008
February 2008
October 2007 - 1
October 2007 - 2
May 2007 report
April 2007
March 2007
January 2007
November 2006
October 2006

West Cork Sustainable Fisheries Group Launch

Tuna Trip 2007
On launching Wavedancing - 19 April 2006

IWDG Cabo Verde Expedition - 11th March 2006

Several of the photos this week are courtesy of Nick Hall. He and Clarissa from Hamburg have been 'wwoofing' here lately.

Just a reminder:-

http://www.fastnetline.com/special_offers.html

A much better idea than flying, though not so good as calling up the Anna M if you happen to have the time! She's off to Brest to pick up some guys from France next weekend (23rd May).