Joy

The Saturday before last we had a great day at the wedding of two friends.  It was a day full of happiness, even more than that, a day of deep Joy.

There is something very special about witnessing the marriage of two people who openly acknowledge their belief and trust in God.  Yes they love each other more than they at one time would have thought it possible to love another person and yet - their love for God is even greater.  God is love, He is the source of that powerful emotion and attribute, and no one has greater love than He for us.

A marriage then may be a reflection of this Divine love, a glimpse behind the curtain of eternity.

"No eye has seen,

no ear has heard,

no mind has conceived

what God has prepared for those who love him"

(1 Corinthians 2:9)

All that the husband and wife see in each other that is beautiful and precious and lovely are marks of the Creator's hand.  These qualities enable a couple over time draw closer to each other in love and, if they have their eyes open, closer to God also...

The Blacksmith

Not since I had seen a horse being fitted with new 'shoes' as a boy had I seen a Blacksmith at work.  The opportunity came unexpectedly upon a family outing to the Traditional Farm at Muckross House.  Watching this man it was easy to see that he had great skill as he hammered away at a rod of hot iron, making a pair of tongs designed to lead a bull with (the pincers of the tongs are inserted into the bulls nose - the joys of being a farmer!)

It was a challenge to photograph.  I had Ilford Delta 100 loaded into the Nikon F100.  Fortunately I had a 'fast' 50mm f1.8, but it was still very dark.  I decided to spot meter off the red-hot section of the tongs, which gave me a shutter speed of about 1 1/2  seconds at f1.8.  Of course this meant that the picture would never be sharp so I hoped instead to catch some of the movement of the Blacksmiths arm as he brought down the hammer and some of the sparks that flew off the metal.  It didn't turn out quite as I had hoped but not as bad as I had feared either - so we'll call it a draw!

"My lovely horse..."

We came across these friendly fella's on a walk near Courtmacsherry.  On looking at the picture now I can't help but laugh as I remember the Father Ted episode "A song for Europe", with the "My Lovely Horse" music video.  They don't make 'em like that any more.  Ha Ha LOL !

My lovely horse, running through the fields.
Where are you going with your fetlocks blowing in the wind?
I want to shower you with sugar lumps and ride you over fences.
Polish your hooves every single day, and bring you to the horse dentist....

Templebryan Stone Circle

Who knows what went on here?  Was it for worship of the Sun or Moon, sacrifices or perhaps some kind of observatory?  This is no Stonehenge but impressive enough in its own way.  I first came across this stone circle earlier in the Summer when I was driving through Shannonvale.  I noticed the stones poking above the hedgerow and decided to stop and have a look.  A few days ago I passed again.  With the Sun high and bright in the sky, the light was not the best for a photograph (too much shadow and contrast), but then maybe the Sun is what these stones were put here for in the first place.

Since I wrote the above paragraph, I managed to find a link to this place.  The small stone you can just about see in the centre is made of quartz and is called the "Sun Stone".  In Irish this is "Cloich Griene" which became the "Clon" in Clonakilty (the second part of the name has something to do with woodland so the name Clonakilty means "stone in the trees" or something.  Note - If you know any Irish please feel free to correct!  I see from the link above that there is a nearby early Christian site with an Ogham stone. I look forward to going to have a look at this sometime - the transformation of these ancient people from worshipping the Sun to worshipping the Son is something I'd love to know more about...

I got to drive a classic car...

... Well sort of.  There was nobody around to hear my pretend engine noises and tyre squeals as I took the Ford Model T for a spin.  I pass this fantastic sculpture several times a week; often there are tourists sitting in and on it having their pictures taken and so I thought that I would stop (when things were quiet) and have a go...

This wonderful piece of work was the Millennium project of Ballinascarthy Community Council.  The plaque reads:

"You can have it any colour as long as its black"

These were the immortal words uttered by one of the greatest minds of the 20th Century, HENRY FORD. 

Henry's family were residents in this very village prior to having emmigrated to the United States.  The Ford legacy can still be seen around us today having never hesitated since revolutionising the motor industry in 1908 through the development of the worlds first mass produced automobile - The "Model T".  This car became a car for the people and by 1927 over 15 million had been built.  Truly this car and its inventor were catalysts of the modern motor industry and by the time of his death in 1947 Henry had 

"Put the World on Wheels"

So if you are ever heading into West Cork along the N71, don't forget to stop in Ballinascarthy and take the  Model T for a test drive :~)

Common Darter

Dragonflies are wonderful insects to watch and for me at least very difficult to photograph.  I don't have a macro (close up) lens so it means I have to get as close as I can.  Unfortunately my attempts to get a picture of this fella (a Common Darter), were a bit like the fisherman and 'the one that got away'.  From a distance I managed to get the picture above (which I have magnified to make it look bigger but at the expense of detail) and then I carefully edged forward until I got really close.  It would have been a good picture.  I pressed the shutter release only for the memory card in the camera to stop working!  As I looked at the error message in the viewfinder blinking 'CHR' the Dragonfly saw his chance of escape and darted off.  Humph.

Psalm 121

I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?



My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.



He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;



indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.



The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;



the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.



The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;



the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.



(All photos taken on our recent holiday - all in the Great Langdale Valley, Cumbria, except for the Great Grey Owl, taken at Rays Farm in Shropshire).