What a weekend!! Just back from two days in Cork city. We went up early on Saturday, picked my brother up from the airport then headed into town. We lunched in the English Market as recently patronised by Her Madge the Queen, and very good it was too, The highlight of course was seeing the Penguin Cafe. My brother is their number one fan and insists on being in the front row! No numbered seats so we were there early ready for action. The concert was just amazing. There are 9 members of the orchestra and its very hard to define their music - they play a huge range of instruments from cello and violins, to washboards, gourds and piano. Their collective musicianship was extraordinary but so was their joy - they all seemed to be having as much fun as the audience. If you don't know them here's what they sound like here's a taster. We emerged blinking and dancing into the still daylight at 10.30pm and Cork was still in full swing - some crazy street theatre was going on with the girls dressed in mini skirted versions of Marie Antoinette clothes!

On Sunday the sun was shining and we headed off to Cobh, the port of Cork, On the way we stopped to look at the Bounty which had just arrived from Puerto Rica. This beautiful ship was made for the 1962 version of Mutiny on the Bounty staring Marlon Brando!. Cobh is a very attractive place, full of Victorian architecture including bandstand and promenade. It is here that Irish emigrants left for the States and Australia and the original departure building snow host a very poignant and moving exhibition. Cobh was also the last port of call for the Titanic and was where survivors of the Lusitania were brought, so it full of history, My brother has put up a couple of images here. There was a very continental feel and we had lunch al fresco before returning to pick up Lauraly, our American wwoofer. Just to show what a small world it is, Lauraly had been amazed to discover the Bounty was in town, as a friend of hers was crewing! Take a look at it here

Today the weather has changed and it is lashing. Lauraly has been working away in the polytunnel which is now looking immaculate. Connie, woofer number 2 from Germany has just arrived so hopefully the weather will improve and lots of work will get done. Everything is growing at an alarming rate! I also went to the Leavers Service at school - our three big boys are on their way to secondary school. They are always well ready to go but it's sad to see them go - I've known these lads since they arrived aged four and they're now thirteen.

Red currants and gooseberries have just been picked so we are about to make a crumble.