August Report, 2008

Apples, blackberries, cabbages and tomatoes swell toward completion, each on their very different plant, as also does the little extension we have built this summer, supporting solar panels for hot water on its roof. They are now in place but not yet plumbed in, but hopefully that will be done very soon, and hopefully the sun will be encouraged to show himself a little more than of late. But at least there is no lack of water in these parts this summer, seen here on the cabbages and one of Fiona’s many flowers and a wind-break that Matthew made with sally rods!

Yet we have had some fine sails on the Anna M, including another trip to Kerry, with a strangely beautiful sail up Kenmare Bay from Derrynane to Sneem in the rain. It cleared in the evening, and Dermot and I landed on Garinish, witnessing the stunning mix of flowers, ferns and shrubs from crafted paths through ancient trees of many kinds, sweating lichens profusely on their boughs, all growing with an intensity reminiscent of a tropical rain forest. Next day we sailed home in brilliant sunshine, common dolphins showing up again after a long absence, acompanying us in force beneath a hail of gannets south of Mizen Head.