Cross

Out of the house shortly after 8am this morning, only just getting light, and back tot he airport with Will. We marvelled at how fast it has gone but an excellent time was had by all. Cork airport is so civilised and quiet, you are through customs in about 3 minutes!  Frustratingly there are no direct flights to Bristol now so he had to go to Heathrow but enjoyed a snooze relax on the coach. Very quiet in the house now. The tree is drooping, the lights are faded, there's only a tiny bit of Christmas cake left and the damp towel pile is huge.
To console myself I went in search of wells and a hair dryer - mine having almost exploded the other day. This is St John's Well, Carrigaline, a very tranquil places in a small wood in the middle of a large housing estate. I last went in 2016 and attebded the annual pilgrimage on St John's Day, 24th June. It was memorable, as I wrote at the time:
  Before we had even set off the group of elderly ladies next to me were having an animated conversation about ladyboys: Oh yes, explained one knowledgeably, they wear women's clothes but underneath they have all the male appendages. Mercifully the pipe band started before the conversation could really get cracking! We were piped down a boreen (only slightly distracted by the kilts) to where the well lay in a shady grove. There were hundreds of people of all ages. Mass was said, the well was circled, the crosses scratched, the incense wafted, the midges bit and then everyone leapt towards the well to collect the water. It was quite difficult to get in and out and one lady had to be hoiked out getting a fit of giggles in the process. It was all very good natured and jovial in the warm evening sunlight.
Today it was quiet and gently humming, the water gushing. Last well of 2022!