Emptying house

We're down to 3 of us plus the dogs at the moment, and Ian is heading off on Friday morning, weather permitting. Kristin seems to have made the boat just on time. Her bus was due to be in Dublin by 6ish, but actually arrived just before 8pm. The traffic was chaotic due to snow. This was on time to get the bus out to Dublin port, so we assume she will be safely on the boat by now.

So, it's back to routine from next week. Today is Nollaig na mBan, or little Christmas, the twelfth day of Christmas. Traditionally in Ireland it is a day for women to put their feet up and hand over the household to the men for the day. I've been to some nice gatherings on this day the last few years so it is disappointing that the cold weather has meant this year's plan has been cancelled. I was looking forward to meeting some interesting women.

Back to work

With temperatures varying between -3 and -4C this morning, I returned to work. I settled in quicker than I expected to and can see this is going to be a very busy year. It's snowing lightly outside at the moment, though it has not been too cold during the day.

They valiantly go...

Carolan and Andy headed off onto the icy roads and have made it as far as Dublin. Let's hope tomorrow isn't too bad for their journey through Wales and England.

It's very depressing that we are coming to the end of a lovely, peaceful holiday. Thanks to everyone for making it so nice.

Well, we've survived 2009

Indeed we have survived it well. What I'd like for 2010 is more free time to visit family and to spend in leisure on Knocknagow. Unfortunately that would mean having to give up what is a lucrative occupation, but maybe this year I will gain the strength to do something different, and be ready for the consequences.

Kristin arrived yesterday. It was a well planned surprise for Ian, and the real reason I was attempting to make a nut roast. So, the full family is here now, all 8 of us (that includes the 2 dogs!). It's very cold outside so I think we'll just batten down the hatches today and enjoy the splendid feast Brian has planned for us.

We'll also enjoy the second of the "Three men in a boat" series on BBC 2. They've picked a nice selection of modes of transport so far - a barge driven by a Bollinder engine, an amphibious car, a cycle-rail vehicle, and now they are on Reggie Goodbody's amazing wooden sailing boat. Mullingar pulled out all the stops for them, with a very good-humoured festival in their honour. It's a new view of Mullingar, and may help to show the citizens of Mullingar the value of the Royal Canal route once it is re-opened for the full circle.

I've just been listening to a fascinating, and emotional, interview with Lord Mountbatten's grandson. He was on the fishing boat that was blown up by the IRA, killing, inter alia, his twin brother and his grandfather. I'm sure it is available for listening to on Radio Eireann on the Ryan Tubridy show for today. I recommend spending 20 minutes of your time to hear it.

Cooking more

I've made some successful sour dough bread. I'd forgotten how tasty if can be. It was a bit crusty, so I'll try to pile it higher next time before baking. The next lot of starter is nearly ready so I can make more tomorrow. The loaf was so big that I thought it would last for a week, and then go stale, but it is nearly finished already. Greedy lot here!

I also attempted to make some nut loaf. I've never made it before but I thought it should look dark when finished. However, that doesn't make sense as all the ingredients, except the mushroom layer, are light coloured. We'll have to try it out. Ian has to take the first taste as he has to determine whether the recipe is OK for the next time Kristin comes to visit.

The fire is lovely and bright and warm. I'm so glad to have this week off to do precious little.

Ice cream

Ice cream made so far:
Blueberry and banana yoghurt ice cream
Caramel ice cream
Raspberry yoghurt ice cream
Melon (and brandy) sorbet
Is this enough to keep us going? I still have pears and pineapples to use up so have to think of some way of being creative with them.

Coldest Christmas gets milder

I didn't think that a temperature of +2C would be something I would consider as mild, but after the big freeze of the last few days it seems that way. I brought the dogs out for a walk and found that the most surprising places are still slippy. I think the melting ice is flowing over unmelted ice. Tomorrow could be nasty if there isn't a full melt today. Last night my weather machine recorded -7.8C, the coldest ever.

It's the quietest Christmas day we've ever had. We're holding gifts until Carolan and Andy arrive on Sunday so it is a day for taking it easy. Brian has a big meal planned and estimated serving time is 7pm. I've made my fruit salad special, with all the fruit I could find in the supermarket thrown in together. It looks yummy. I now need to use what is left over for making lots of ice cream.

Leavy is very smelly. She and Pippa have found their way into the front room as they feel they should accompany us sitting in front of the fire. Leavy must have rolled in something unpleasant while we were out for a walk. She chased a handsome pheasant. The pheasant got quite a fright!

This photo was taken at c. 9 o'clock this morning