Continued…Life on a farm…An experience like none other…

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John was excited to share details of this rare tree with us. “It is a Wollemia Nobilis. Wollemia is a genus of coniferous tree in the family Araucariaceae. Wollemia was only known through fossil records until the Australian species Wollemia Nobilis was discovered in 1994 in a temperate rainforest wilderness area of the Wollemi National Park in New South Wales, in a remote series of narrow, steep-sided sandstone gorges 150 km north-west of Sydney. The genus is named for the National Park.”

Fascinating Fact of the Day about Devon, Cornwall:
“Devon has the country’s oldest bakery (from this site):
It isn’t only pasties we’ve been making forever. We’ve also been making bread and biscuits since before America was born. How do we know? Jacka Bakery on the Barbican made biscuits that went onto The Mayflower for the sailing of the Pilgrim Fathers. It is the oldest bakery in the country, even older than those sandwiches you get in South West Train buffet cars. Just think, if Jacka hadn’t been there all those years ago, we might not have the USA today. You’re welcome. We also used to have the oldest hotel in the country, the Royal Clarence in Exeter, but that is temporarily burnt to the ground.“

Yesterday morning, we jumped into the car and took off for Exeter Airport to return the vehicle and get another car. Having decided we’d only rent cars for one month because our credit card insures the car for 30 days only.
The pond next to our house, Pond Cottage with a few ducks and geese.
Since we have no home or car in the US (or anywhere else in the world), we can’t use those policies to cover rental cars. Over the past few years, we’ve taken a chance to arrange 90-day rentals without added insurance, although the rental agreements cover a portion of the loss if the car is damaged.

There’s no way we’d be interested in paying an extra GBP 10 (US $12.43) or GBP 15 (US $ 18.65) a day for added insurance when we often don’t pay those amounts for the rental itself.  Also, I don’t drive in foreign countries when the stick shifts in on the left and driving is on the left side of the road. I’m not a good enough driver for that level of coordination!
Wet logs on the bottom, dry logs for our use in the fireplace, at the top of this pile.
Nor do we want to pay equal amounts per day by adding me to the policy. When we go to the US in 46 days, we’ll most likely rent two cars, enabling us the freedom to visit with the family at our leisure.

As a rarity, we’re staying at my friend Karen’s home in Eden Prairie, which she kindly offered.  We’d stayed with Karen during our last few weeks in Minnesota before leaving to begin our travels.  
There are numerous barns and paddocks on the 150-acre farm.
We kindly refuse most offers to stay in the homes of others throughout the world when we have our routine, which may not work well for our hosts. Having remained with Karen in the past and the ease we felt in doing so, we’re comfortable staying with her again.

Of course, we’ll be busy with family most days and evenings and plan to eat most of our meals out to ensure we don’t impose on Karen, family, or friends. With my restricted way of eating, it’s too much to expect hosts to figure it out. I’m sure we’ll have a few meals with Karen and her significant other.
Lush greenery is prevalent on the 150 acres.
Anyway, back to the car rental… With heavy rain and an inconsistent GPS signal, it took much longer than we’d anticipated to make our way to Exeter Airport and then, once there, to find a petrol station. Sure, I asked my phone for assistance. With the poor signal, each time indicated the closest was 10 or 12 miles from our current location.  

We continued to drive around the area of the airport until we finally found one five miles away.  We’ve never had such problems getting from one location to another in any part of the world due to the lack of a consistent internet signal. 
Renate, the owner, suggested we keep the gate closed and the front doors.  Otherwise. The ducks and geese will enter the house.
However, we chose to live in the country, and it’s a small price to pay for the beauty of the area and our joy in living on a farm. We have good WiFi (although slow) at the cottage, for which we are grateful.

We stayed calm. We finally headed back to the airport to return the car and collect another. We asked for the exact vehicle with the new contract, and this was accomplished at ease. We’ve had great rentals and customer service at a company we’ve used time and again, Europcar.
A handy feeder for sheep and other barnyard animals.
At last, we were back on the road. We decided to shop yesterday when we realized how far it is to get to Tiverton from the farm to the grocery shop, which we’d planned to do today. We easily found the Tesco Superstore, comparable in size to a Walmart of Costco.  

We’d planned a couple of favorite recipes to make during the week. Still, we could not find the ingredients, including Italian sausages or any well-seasoned sausage without wheat or sugar.  
This is the area where the sheep are sheared once a year.  John and Renate have a company with workers from Australia or New Zealand in their “off-season” (Southern Hemisphere) that shear their sheep.
One of the second recipes required coconut flour, almond flour, and flaxseed. When we saw the sizes of the bags of each, we decided it made no sense to have leftover ingredients we’d have to dispose of when we leave England in 31 days.  

Instead, we revised our grocery list on the app on my phone. We decided on preparing easy dinners for this remaining month in the country: a protein source, a variety of vegetables, and a salad (and rice for Tom). 
There are acres of orchards on the property.  Over this hill is a garden from which we can pick whatever we’d like that’s remaining from the growing season.
We didn’t return to the Pond Cottage until 4:30 pm, put away the groceries, prepared an excellent dinner, and settled in for a quiet evening. It’s cloudy and rainy again today. Should the sun come out, we’ll get out to further explore the farm to take more photos.
We want to thank our readers for the kind and thoughtful messages we often receive by email from many of you. Rather than use the “comment feature,” many prefer to share their stories via email to maintain a level of anonymity. We never post the contents of any email we receive without the authorization of the sender. We love hearing from YOU!

Have a great week ahead!

Photo from one year ago today, September 23, 2018:

It was hard to believe we captured this scene close to sunset at the Crocodile River. For more photos, please click here.

Life on a farm…An experience like none other…Once again, adapting…

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John, our exciting and attentive host farmer, has beautiful stories to tell. A former physician and world traveler, he’s a wealth of information. He took us on a partial tour of the 150 acres farm. On another day, we’ll see more.

Fascinating Fact of the Day about Devon, Cornwall:
“Devon County Council is responsible for 8,000 miles of road – the longest network in the country. The county is home to everything from single track rural lanes across Dartmoor and Exmoor to major highways like the A38 and A30 – as well as the M5.”

There are chickens, ducks, and geese on the property, along with many Dorset sheep.  (Photos coming soon of these adorable sheep which are kept for their wool, not for slaughter.

Many of us have ancestors that farmed. In Tom’s case, it’s undoubtedly true when both of his parents, grandparents, and some of his siblings were born on a farm. I would have no idea if any of my ancestors were farmers.

We both love living on a farm. It must be in our DNA. It’s hard to imagine living in a typical city when over the past weeks, we’ve lived on two farms, reveling in every aspect. Of course, part of the enjoyment is based on the fact that we don’t do any of the work.

The acreage is diverse and beautiful.

People we’ve met along the way have asked if we “house sit” or work on farms as compensation for living quarters. As much as they may be appropriate for some travelers, it is just not quite our thing.  

We travel as retirees, although we spend hours preparing and working on our posts, taking photos, and conducting research. As we mentioned many times in past posts, we don’t feel our site is a “job” based on the enjoyment and benefit we derive from writing our stories each day.  

If the weather were warm, we’d certainly use this pool, but it is very calm and frequent rains, as it is today.

Should our level of enthusiasm or interest in continuing to post each day ever changes, we may have to reconsider. But, for now, we can no more imagine ending this process than we can in ending our world travels. 

We can only strive to be healthy, diligently watch our budget and be adaptable to the many nuances properties and locations present to us along the way. Nonetheless, we’ll always encounter situations that aren’t ideal.

A small pond near their house and the barns.  Soon, we’ll share photos of the pond outside our door of the “Pond Cottage.”

In this new location, a well-built former barn renovated to perfection still has some nuances which we must adjust to, primarily small things such as a difficult-to-navigate stairway to the second floor where the bedrooms and bathrooms are located.

There’s a tiny under-counter refrigerator that requires bending over to access (although there is, much to our delight, a separate under-counter freezer). The bed is somewhat low and not as comfortable as we’d like. To avoid being nitpicky, there are other small things not worthy of mentioning here.

John planted 600 sequoia seeds many years ago, and now there are over 400 trees.

But, we’re living on a gorgeous farm and in a beautiful house, and we appreciate being here more than we can say. The owners are over-the-top wonderful, and the nearby villagers are kind, welcoming, and friendly. We couldn’t ask for more.

Funnily, neither of us feel compelled to get out sightseeing right now as we’re immersed in the quiet solitude on this gorgeous property. Tomorrow we’ll head to Tiverton to check out the bigger of the villages in the area.

No doubt during our three weeks here, we’ll get out to see the local points of interest, most of which is beautiful scenery. There is so much to explore here at the farm that we can stay busy for days. Also, the hills and rolling terrain are ideal for me to build strength in my legs.

This is a young sequoia tree, but it may become as massive as many seen in Northern California in generations to come.  

Yesterday, our tour with John was exciting and informational. His and his lovely wife’s love of their farm is evident in every acre of land, the well-kept nature of every building, and the loving care of their barnyard animals. We’re honored to have the opportunity to be here, with them only a short distance away and all the beauty and wonder surrounding us.

Soon, we’re off to Exeter Airport to return the rental car and get another. We’re hoping the rain stops and the sun comes out so we can explore on the return drive.

May your Sunday be blessed with joy and wonder!

Photo from one year ago today, September 22, 2018:
“Gee…the eggs are all gone, but I think I’ll lay in the bowl to let them know we want more.” Bands of mongooses came to see us almost every day. Tom would scramble raw eggs for them and serve them in this bowl. When the eggs were gone, lying in the bowl was an excellent way to express their enthusiasm. For more details, please click here.

 

We’ve arrived in Tiverton, Witheridge, Devon…Another beautiful farm…Balance of Bodmin Moor photos…

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An otter was lounging in the sun.

Fascinating Fact of the Day about Devon, Cornwall:
“Devon is a county in southwest England. It encompasses sandy beaches, fossil cliffs, medieval towns, and moorland national parks. The English Riviera is a series of picturesque, south-coast harbor towns, including Torquay, Paignton, and Brixham. The South West Coast Path follows the coastline, taking in the towering cliffs of the northern Exmoor Coast and rock formations on the fossil-rich southern Jurassic Coast.”

The drive from Treveighan to Witheridge consisted of narrow roads requiring 30 turns, according to Maps. We only made one wrong turn when we encountered a detour and had to get back on track without a signal.
Although this bridge looks wide in the photo, it is only the width of one car.
Of course, I’d saved the directions on Maps, but with 70% of the country, roads unmarked, it was a guessing game. However, it’s a small price to pay for the opportunity to live in these four country homes in Cornwall, England, and the last, in Wales.
As we drove toward Witheridge, we encountered many historic stone houses.
When we arrived at Pond Cottage in Witheridge, the treat awaiting us was reminiscent of our arrival only two weeks ago at the Tredarupp farm after our fantastic two weeks overlooking the sea in Falmouth.
St Petrock & St Keri Church in Egloskerry, Launceston.
This visit to Cornwall, England, consisting of these shorter stays than we’ve been used to in many other countries throughout the world, may have sparked a new level of enthusiasm for both of us. Could this be our unique way of traveling the world, shorter stays but more locations to explore? We’re beginning to reframe our thinking.
On a narrow road, we carefully passed a woman on a horse.
As we further research our upcoming two-month trip to India in a little over four months, we’ve decided India will undoubtedly be an ideal location to live in four different areas giving us a broader view of the world than staying in one location for three months.
Bodmin Moor is a 208 square mile area.  Many farms adjoin the area.
This is not to say we’re sorry we’ve stayed three months (or more in a couple of cases) in various holiday homes. We were blissfully able to immerse ourselves in the culture and the community while gaining a sense of “belonging.” We have no regrets.
These birds remind us of the Helmeted Guineafowl we had in our garden in Marloth Park.
However, with the current reality of my ongoing heart condition, it makes sense to expand our horizons and see all that we can over the next few years until we can’t carry on, which is inevitable, based on our ages.
A common Fallow deer, often seen in the wild in the UK.
We haven’t unpacked. We took out the single plastic bag with the bare minimum of toiletries and could riffle through the blue bag if we needed something additional. The bulk of our clothing remains in our luggage after we’ve dug out the few items we’ll wear in the three weeks we’ll spend here.
The grounds at Tamar Wildlife Centre are tree-lined with lush vegetation.
The most significant part of the unpacking here was putting away the foodstuffs we brought with us, both perishable and non-perishable. But, this was no more time-consuming than a return trip from the supermarket.  
Not indigenous to the UK, there are several wallabies in the open wildlife area.
We won’t have to shop over the weekend based on what we have on hand, although I’m looking forward to doing so by Monday when we’ll have a chance to explore further in Tiverton, one of the larger villages in the area.
A wallaby and possibly here, joey.
In tomorrow’s post, we’ll share photos of our new location. We’ll travel to Exeter Airport at noon to drop off the current rental car and execute a new one-month agreement.  We’re planning to keep the exact vehicle, if possible since it easily holds our bags.

This morning we awoke to the sounds of the ducks and geese and roosters crowing in the pond the house overlooks. Soon, we’ll tour the property with the owner taking photos to share tomorrow.

Enjoy your Saturday!
Photo from one year ago today, September 21, 2018:
No expression on this cape buffalo’s face can more clearly illustrate his disdain over the hot weather and lack of water nearby. For more photos, please click here.

Thinking back to many months ago…Five days and counting…More favorite photos…

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Downtown Clifden.

Fascinating Fact of the Day About Ireland “
“Connemara Chaos is a region of chaotic terrain on Jupiter’s moon Europa.”

After a much-needed good night’s sleep, I awoke this morning determined to get started packing, beginning with all my clothes in the master bedroom’s walk-in closet. 
 
Twenty minutes later, all of my clothing was neatly folded in my suitcase. I’d even begun packing the “supplies” suitcase which I’ll complete later today or tomorrow leaving out toiletries we’ll use over the next several days.  
An island in the lake.
I’ll place those items in a large ziplock bag for easy access for our overnight in Dublin and following two nights in Amsterdam. TDuringthose three days and nights, the clothing I’ll wear will be left on top of the other clothes in the suitcase, again for easy access.
 
While packing this morning, I couldn’t help but recall packing in Marloth Park as we prepared to leave almost three months ago. Where has the time gone? This morning as I packed in blissfully cool weather, I asked myself how I managed in the heat in South Africa during those last three months as I edged closer to be well enough to fly the long distance to Ireland.
Ruins in the area.
Sure those last three months were February, March, April, and part of May which are cooler during the summer months in Africa. But, it had been unseasonably hot during that period with humid temperatures well into 32Cs, 90Fs.
 
Without aircon in the house except for the master bedroom and numerous power outages, it was a difficult time. Looking back to how awful I was feeling then, I don’t know how I got through it.  
A Belted Galloway grazing among the rocks.
On the other hand, Tom was continuously busy cooking and caring for me. He, too, was feeling the heat along with the brunt of the seemingly endless power outages, and occasional water outages. It wasn’t easy.
 
And yet, when I was finally able to go out on the veranda during the last two to three weeks before we left, seeing the wildlife a few more times, made all of it worthwhile and bearable.
Ruins of a former home, partially restored.  It appears the house is occupied.
Oddly, many of our favorites came by, as if to say goodbye which brought tears to my eyes, how we loved our time in South Africa with only the final three months being difficult after my four surgeries. Also, sit was challenging to say goodbye to all of our friends, not knowing when we’d see them again.
 
We may be banned from South Africa for five years based on the fact we overstayed our visas by those three months. Although we’ve produced medical documents to request a waiver, we may never be approved.
This beautiful horse appears to be pregnant.
All of that is behind us now and although my recovery still continues, especially as I wean myself off several toxic drugs, those last three months in Africa have become somewhat of a distant memory.
 
This afternoon, I may go back upstairs to pack a little more.  In the interim, we’ll go about our day. Not unusual, it’s another dark and rainy day. We’ve already chopped and diced everything we’ll need for dinner and can sit back and relax knowing our time to leave is coming near.
One of the many small fishing boats we see daily.
May you have a peaceful weekend.
Photo from one year ago today, August 3, 2018:
The closest living relatives of hippos are porpoises and whales. For more Kruger National Park photos please click here.

Cruise upcoming…Six days and counting until we leave Connemara…Favorite photos continue…

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Sunset across the bay.

Fascinating Fact of the Day About Ireland “Halloween originated in Ireland. Halloween as we know it today actually originates from the ancient Celtic
festival of Samhain, when the people would light bonfires and wear scary
costumes to ward off unwelcome spirits. Samhain is an old Gaelic word which
translates to ‘darker half,’ thus marking the beginning of winter.”

It’s been easy living in Connemara, Ireland. We didn’t go out more than necessary for shopping and minimal sightseeing. We had Ann as our weekly house cleaner each week, except three weeks when she was ill. Tom did the bulk of the cleaning in her absence.

We cooked easy but delicious meals, healthful and suitable for my way of eating.  The kitchen is well stocked with almost everything we’d use during a three-month stay. (We’ve since replaced the French Press coffee plunger, which Tom accidentally broke last week).

The only drawbacks to the house were the spiral staircase and its difficult-to-use oven, which prevented us from using it more often than necessary. It’s part of the complicated stove used for heating the house and water system and requires 30 minutes to preheat the oven with inconsistent temperatures.

Kylemore Abbey castle…quite stunning.
Everything else has been ideal. There are two beds in the master bedroom which allowed me to avoid the risk of Tom bumping into my still-healing incisions.  In the future, we’ll be sharing a bed once again, as we always had and ultimately prefer…in a mere six days.

The living room has been comfortable for us after we moved the furniture around to suit our needs with comfy chairs with views of the sea and other comfy chairs facing more ocean views and the flatscreen TV.  

Kylemore Abbeys Victorian Garden.
Unusual for us, we’ve spent a lot of time with the TV on, not necessarily watching anything during the day but enjoying our streamed shows in the evenings, which we download from various sites, some free, others paid.

At 1630 hours, 4:30 pm, each evening, we’ve settled into “happy hour” seated in the two comfy chairs looking out to the ocean from the big picture. Tom had a cocktail while I had a glass of red wine.   

World-famous food truck, Misunderstood Heron, draws tourists from all over the country.
An hour later, we’d be drinking iced tea (for Tom) and Pellegrino sparkling water (for me) as we’d get busy putting dinner together with a plan to sit down to eat by 1800 hours, 6:00 pm.

After dinner, Tom cleaned the kitchen while I figured out the evening’s viewing, setting up my laptop with the HDMI cord hooked to the TV. Since it stays light so late, I’ve stayed up later than in the past, and we often “knocked off” three favorite episodes.

View of Killary Fiord from the Misunderstood Heron.
Endless chatter and laughter between us ensued during the day and well into our viewing time in the evenings. Often, we’ve had to replay a portion of a show when we were talking over it. It has been a favorite time of the day for both of us.

Was I going forward?  Everything will change. Two days in Amsterdam and then onto the cruise won’t necessarily allow time for lounging. I’m so used to lying on the sofa when I run out of steam. I’m going to have to push through these periods.  

Formerly an actual food truck, the Misunderstood Heron changed to a renovated shipping container, providing more space for food prep. However, it’s still referred to as a “food truck.”
We’ve never enjoyed spending time in our cabin during the day. Mornings will be busy with breakfast in the dining room at a shared table to meet new people. No doubt, we’re ready for some socialization.  

After breakfast, we’ll get our laptops and head to a comfy location to prepare the day’s post taking the better part of the day when friendly folks stop by to chat. We never say we’re too busy for socializing!

What a spectacular spot for boating!
This particular cruise only has a few sea days. We are booked on one two-day tour in St. Petersburg but no others. For the other ports-of-call, we’ll grab a taxi at the port to give us a time of the city for a few hours, allowing us to take photos and experience the local charm.

Evenings, we’ll head to the Crown & Anchor Society complimentary happy hour(s) for priority club members such as us, usually hanging out with other passengers.  Appetizers are typically served at this time; often, I can have: raw veggies, prawns, and a variety of imported cheeses.

After the happy hour, we’ll head to dinner for a shared table in the main dining room. We prefer not to have assigned seating which requires sitting with the same passengers each night.  

The Misunderstood Heron’s view from their backyard.  
We seldom make dinner reservations and show up at the dining room, usually by 1930 hours, 7:30 pm, whenever we’re ready to eat. Generally, the queue is short, and the wait is insignificant. We’ve found that choosing when we want to dine and the freedom to be seated at a shared table with new passengers each evening creates a more well-rounded experience for us.

I can only hope and pray I can do all of this. At this point, I have no idea. Thank goodness Tom is supportive of what I will and won’t be able to do. This takes a lot of pressure off of me. So, we’ll see how it goes.

Have a fantastic weekend!
Photo from one year ago today, August 2, 2018:
What an animal!  We feel fortunate to have been able to get today’s photos of lions. For more lion photos, please click here.

Starting to wind down…Seven days and counting…Trying to get well…

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Family of four walking along the road.

Fascinating Fact of the Day About Ireland 
“The shamrock is not the national symbol of Ireland. The shamrock is recognized worldwide as a symbol of Ireland and the Irish, but the harp is the official National Symbol of Ireland. You can see the real harp on which the symbol is based at the Trinity College library, which dates back to the fifteenth century.”

As I struggle to wean myself off yet another dangerous drug, Amiodarone, that had recently caused me to bump into walls, feel dizzy, and be very unsteady on my feet, I feel exhausted and out-of-sorts.  
 
The drug has a long half-life and may take a year to get entirely out of the patient’s system. Here is a document on its awful side effects. Here’s additional information from the US FDA, which considers the drug with a “Black Box” warning.
We often see abandoned boats along the shore overgrown with vegetation.
After reading tons of information on this drug and having been told by the surgeon I could get off these and other drugs “in a few more months,” at my last visit, and when I began experiencing side effects, last Saturday I took the last pill, going cold turkey. It will take a long time for the side effects of the drug and the weaning process to subside. I couldn’t wait another day.
 
Why get off such a dangerous drug so close to the time we’re leaving? The side effects were worsening daily, and I felt I had no choice. Side effects may easily result in permanent damage to many parts of the body.
Cloudy reflections on the lake.
If you are currently taking this heart medication (or others), please talk to your doctor before changing or stopping the dose. For some, this could be life-threatening. I am not offering any form of medical advice. I am only sharing what has happened to me.
 
I’d hoped once I stopped the statins, I would feel better—foolish me. I have two more drugs to wean myself off of but won’t do so for some time until Amiodorane is more out of my system.  
Wildflowers are blooming throughout Ireland this time of year.
This drug is used for an irregular heartbeat, known as AFib, which I only had in the hospital while in ICU. Once at “home,” I had no more incidences.
 
Due to the nature of this drug, my resting heart rate has been too low, often in the high 40’s. It’s no wonder I have been so exhausted and lacking in energy.  Why I was given such high-risk medications baffles me.  
Yellow irises at the water’s edge.
I wish I’d been told the risks and could have made my own decisions. But at the time of the surgery, I was frightened, confused, and relying on medical professionals to decide for me. I wish I’d been more curious about the medications instead of taking them blindly.
 
Now, I am on my own, trying to figure it out. I contacted the doctor for advice but he made it clear I am no longer under his care based on the fact we have left South Africa.  
Even the craggy rocks appeal to the sheep during times of rest.
I do not want to go to a cardiologist at this point. I was told to see one on the first anniversary of the surgery providing I wasn’t having heart issues which I am not. The only problem I’m having at this point is the side effects of various dangerous heart medications.
 
No, I won’t get out my soapbox about Big Pharma and how its influence has become worldwide. That’s for another day. Right now, I’m looking forward to not walking into walls and doorknobs and feeling steady on my feet. Hopefully, soon that will come but I have to be realistic that I may need to get off more drugs to feel totally well which could take many more months.
Sheep family on a hill.
I deliberated over whether I should mention this here. But, after being so candid all along, and if any of my experiences helps only one reader in some small way, it is worth it. Again, please consult with your doctor for any medication changes.

Today, I will begin packing in bite-sized pieces over the next several days instead of rushing at the last minute. I always dread packing, but once I get started, I realize how easy it is.


Thanks for listening. Have a fantastic day!
Photo from one year ago today, August 1, 2018:
Our bird feeder is often surrounded by hornbills. For more photos, please click here.

Cow day!…The simple pleasures of barnyard animals…

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Note the different sizes of her horns.

“Fascinating Fact of the Day About Ireland” 

“While Guinness
will always be Ireland’s most famous drink, more of the black stuff is consumed
each year in Nigeria than it is back home in Ireland. In fact, the Brits are
the largest consumers of Guinness, followed by Nigerians, leaving Ireland in
third place!”


From this site with Ireland’s livestock stats.

Livestock Survey 
December 2018 

Add 000’s to the following totals (for millions):

 
   Cattle  Pigs Sheep
 
2017 6,673.6 1,616.4 3,981.8
2018 6,593.5 1,572.2 3,743.5
% change -1.2 -2.7 -6.0

Many females of certain breeds have horns.

Without a doubt, our readers are well aware we have an infinity toward wildlife and domesticated animals.  In our “old” lives we had plenty of daily interactions not only with our own dogs but also the neighborhood dogs.  On a private road, there was no enforcement of leash laws and our dogs roamed freely visiting neighbors along the road.


Living on a lake in Minnesota also provided us with frequent wildlife sightings including heron, geese, eagles, wood ducks, loons and many other varieties of birds.  It was truly a bird watcher’s paradise.  

This short rock wall borders the holiday home’s garden.  We saw something move to realized several cattle were very close to us.

In addition, we could count on seeing coyotes and foxes, mostly in the winter when they could walk across the frozen lake looking for “little dog lunch.” Also, in the spring, on occasion, we’d see a moose swimming across the lake.  


The photo ops were outstanding.  At the time, neither of us could take a decent photo, although we had a digital camera.  At the time, neither of us would know that we’d have loved to look back at photos of wildlife, let alone the photos of those we love.  

I was a little too far for using flash when it was almost dark as I took this photo from the living room window.

When a family event was underway someone always yelled out, “take a photo” and we’d all turn and look at one another trying to see if anyone “bit” on the concept.  Seldom was the case.  If only we had photos of those events.  Sure we have a few hundred photos stored on a cloud, but nothing like we have now, thousands of photos each year from our everyday lives of world travel.


We didn’t start taking photos of our travels until we were a few months into it, realizing using our smartphones wouldn’t be satisfactory for our posts.  Over the past almost seven years, we learned a little but never enough. 

This cow was busy grazing in the side yard but picked up her head when we drove toward the main road from the driveway.

From time to time when the lighting isn’t ideal, we struggle to get good shots.  It could be us, it could be our cameras…most likely it’s us.  Thus, we apologize for the lack of clarity in some of today’s photos taken when it was almost dark.  The photo opp happened so quickly we had no time to change the settings on the camera.


Now, in the lush green of Ireland’s summer, we’re thrilled to be able to see barnyard animals and livestock.  After all, 15 months in Marloth Park is hard to beat when at any given moment we had amazing animals standing at the edge of the veranda.

Mom and baby.

A few nights ago we were reminded of Marloth Park when we saw movement outside our living room window.  We jumped up simultaneously, each grabbing a camera, hoping for some good shots.


Alas, as late as it was, close to 2200 hours, 10:00 pm, we were pushing our luck.  As the days are getting shorter since the summer solstice on June 21st, it’s still light here, at least to some degree, between the hours of 5:00 am and 2230 hours, 10:30 pm.  


This morning I awoke at 4:30 am, still needing more sleep, realizing our sleeping problems most likely are a result of too much light in the bedroom with the thin draperies.  Luckily by 6:00 am, I fell back to sleep for a few more hours.

This photo was taken in the evening before the sun fully set.

Thus, when the cows were near the house, although it was still light, our photo taking was marginal at best.  The remainder of the photos were taken during daylight hours albeit with a heavy cloud cover.  Today, it started out sunny but now the dark clouds are rolling in from the sea.  This is common for Ireland.  


Regardless of the weather, we’ve thoroughly enjoyed the cattle, sheep, donkeys, horses and occasional pigs we’ve seen while driving on the narrow winding roads.  It seems the cattle and the sheep are most prevalent which, as you can see above, the numbers are obvious.


Soon, when we depart for Amsterdam, it’s unlikely we’ll have many opportunities to take wildlife photos.  We’ll be staying in the city for two nights, taking photos of a different kind of wildlife!  It should be fun.


May your weekend be filled with many wonderful surprises!

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Photo from one year ago today, July 20, 2018:

Hippos resting on a sandbar on the Sabie River.  Note the number of oxpeckers on the hippos hides!  For more Kruger photos please click here.