I like having some free time

It is very rare for me to have a few free days.  In the summer we go away to the boat as often as possible so it is only during the Christmas break that I get to have days at home.

This week it has been so mild that I've even been able to do a bit of gardening.  My project for this winter is to move all the raspberry canes from one side of the garden to the other, thus freeing up space in the vegetable patch.  Today I managed to move some of the canes but have now run out of space to move them to.  What I need to do now is move the heap of compost I bought in the autumn from the front garden to the area I want to plant the raspberries.  It seems like a lot of effort, but it should be worth it when finished.
The other project for this week has been to get started on making a new flag for Knocknagow.  The current one is getting a bit dog-eared as the felt that makes up the lettering hasn't liked the windy and wet weather it has met in the last few years.  Carolan and I made it and I realise what a good job we did when I started to de-construct the current flag.  Now I have to make one that is even better!
Yesterday we went to visit Knocknagow in Ballinamore, where it is waiting to have some work done to it, including putting on a wheel-house that will protect us from the elements when we are steering.  We were a bit anxious that it might have taken on water following the severe frost.  Even though it has been over 9C for a number of days now water must take longer to thaw than elsewhere as the whole harbour was still full of thick ice.  Anyway, the boat is still floating, so that's a relief.

Happy new year, everyone.

One home, two still to come

Anyone reading Carolan's blog will have learnt already of her frustrations at getting home, but she managed to  beat the weather and arrived here safely at 9pm yesterday.  The road from Limerick to Cork got progressively worse as we went south of Limerick.
Tomorrow Andy is due to arrive in Cork so the journey has to happen again.  The trouble is that information on the real conditions is scarce.  Sometimes reports suggesting an area is bad are not accurate, and the opposite is also true.
We've just been chasing creatures around the kitchen.  There is a chewing sound in one corner so we've checked everything near the sound and can't find anything.  We've blocked holes in the skirting board now so hope that if there are little furry critturs around they'll give up trying to get through.  The dogs should ensure they don't have a chance, but I wouldn't be on them.

and 2 more

2 more ice creams made - another raspberry yoghurt, and a walnut coffee ice cream.  It will have to be sorbets tomorrow as I'm running out of cream.

A low record

Minus 13C last night.....

An icy week, and ice cream in the making

We had the dreaded Japan audit this week, and came out with flying colours.  Today we had a visit from one of the most senior people in our big company, and he was very happy with what he saw.  The scary thing is that he was anticipating something totally different from the reality.  However, that's one more convinced that we make good products and run a good show.  That's a relief.
We had at least 30 US and Japanese visitors this week.  They were all as surprised as we were to find ice, and even a bit of snow, here in Limerick.  We got off very lightly compared to other parts of the country.  Mind you, it is worth sticking to the main roads as any side roads are unexpectedly slippy.  The road from Castleconnell to Lisnagry was very slippy this morning, in spite of the non-freezing temperatures.
My exciting purchase today was a new cover for my ironing board.  I can now iron without getting the marks of the metal base stuck onto my blouses.  I celebrated by doing some ironing so am feeling very smug about being ahead of where I normally am at this stage of the weekend.
Christmas is coming, apparently, and that means I'm supposed to have a stock of ice cream in the freezer.  Today I've made chocolate chip ice cream and raspberry yoghurt ice cream.  On the list for making are:
- melon brandy sorbet
- more raspberry yoghurt
- blueberry
- more chocolate based ice cream
Anyone who is going to be here for Christmas is welcome to put in an order for their favourite type if these aren't on the list.
Leavy has a new duvet bed that b bought for her today.  She's spoilt!