Notions

Another murky day with some torrential hail showers. A quick trip into Bantry and an admire of this quirky gate house- one of many that guard Bantry House estate. Plenty of baubles and bits and pieces, definitely notions here! That's a great phrase and a rather disparaging one used as:  ah, they have notions alright!  when viewing a bungalow with jazzy adornments such as fancy Greek columns or ranch style accoutrements! A really fascinating article here  on how the English language has evolved uniquely in Ireland. 

You thought St Mochuda was unique with his 30 maidens but St Kevin of Glendalough slept in a cave up on a cliff face, wore only animal skins and threw himself into the icy cold waters of the lough for hours, or lounged around in beds of nettles. He was unimpressed by human companionship, especially the females of the species. Caitlin fell in love with him, enamoured she climbed up the cliff face only to have him accidentally push her off into the lake where she drowned.
He was better with animals though and there is a wonderful story of a blackbird laying her eggs in his palm and he had to remain still until the chicks hatched. To leave him on a positive note, here's Seamus Heaney reading his poem about St Kevin and the Blackbird.

So easy to get distracted, I have ice the Christmas cake though - well the bit that remained after pieces have been sent around the globe!