We have moved into Labasheeda, West Clare and already made friends: Milly, Molly, Mandy, and Maisie. These are the names I have given the murder of crows that guard our local dominion. Ciaran, Connor, and Cian live across the road in the trees lining the Estuary. In the morning, I stand on my bedroom balcony and sing my good mornings to them. There is much too-ing and fro-ing, cackles, and caws, which makes the garden seem a busy place though in the afternoons, they seem to enjoy siestas and it is very peaceful.

The folk in Labasheeda are also very friendly and we have been heartily welcomed by everyone we meet. (I’m not sure the cat next door feels the same about us as she has been already chased up one of those crow trees twice by Poppins). On Sunday afternoon, we popped into the local with Roisin, Jack, Joe and Aine after unpacking a few hundred boxes, and Fergal warmly shook hands when I introduced myself and said if I tell him my favourite wine, he would get it in! If only I had one favourite!!!

Of course, there are also relations. It turns out Fergal is the partner of the daughter of Jack’s (my son in law to be) uncle by marriage. And when the Eir engineer came to install Sky, it turned out that he is the son in law of Jack’s Aunt. (Sadly, it didn’t help him install Sky as it seems the Crows rule the roost and more poles need to be erected). Patricia, Jack’s mum, comes from Killimer which is only up the road, and it seems she has five or six siblings so I think we’re going to find ourselves lots of new friends and relations. Liam, who was with Mike, putting boxes of flowers on our garden wall, asked to be remembered to Patricia because he was at teacher training college with her in Dublin.

Anyway, more about our new home. It was an old forge back in the day and in the nineties was redesigned by a creative architect, Graham Jones. It is open plan, aside from two bedrooms, has a galley kitchen, a mezzanine and is painted red, green and white throughout. There are interesting features, and a lovely use of wood. The wooden floor downstairs is beautiful and the living area at the back is very cosy. There are two stoves to keep us warm and a fabulous garden to enjoy during this sunny weather. Our boundary is a stream (which I had to wade across this morning to rescue the cat which Poppins had chased up a tree). The mezzanine is ‘drenched’ (the auctioneer’s term) in light and we have fantastic and beautiful views of the estuary. Also, Labasheeda Quay is only a three minute walk and at high tide it is lovely to swim there. The future looks rosy. (I can hear my mother from wherever she is warning me not to invoke the law of Sod).

Our first nights have been wonderful. I have lain awake in my bed, gazing up through the open velux window, the black sky awash with stars.  I watched two stars speed across the sky in a straight line, avoiding other stars, as if each had a destination in mind, and a desire to get there on time. Time seems immense as the night hours pass. I can almost feel the earth rotate as I watch Castor and Pollux move South.

After the rainfall today, the stream is gushing again and there is a hint of salt from the midnight incoming tide of the Shannon Estuary. It is hard to believe that this is going to be home.

Anyway, I’ll leave it there for the minute. Tomorrow, we need to get the fence sorted and there are a few more boxes to unpack, heating systems to work out, and at some point I have to start on knitting seven woolly hats for the bridesmaids (don’t ask).

Tout a l’heure!