The young lad sat down at the front is about twelve or thirteen at the time. He will be twenty in February.
That's the beauty of taking photos and writing blogs. You chronicle your time living in the countryside next to the sea.
The pile of stones is the stone cairn I blogged about in October. My grandmother use to tell us that if we placed a stone on top of it we will always come back. How true and prophetic.
We will have been here twenty years next July. Where does the time go?
I often think of my dad and his brothers walking to Sunday school in Durrus and walking over the hill where we walk and how they looked at the same view across the bay and over to Beara. Not forgetting my grandfather and his father's father digging for turf and placing it in baskets and donkeys carrying it back to the homestead.
That's what we are I guess? Figures in the landscape.
That particular son has only ever really known a life over there in West Cork hasn't he? Is he your youngest or your oldest?
ReplyDeleteThe youngest YP. He was six months old. Number one son was four. I was only 38. The purpose of the post is that the landscape is the same or similar of your ancestors. Thanks YP.
ReplyDeleteSorry. My question ignored the deeper purpose of this blogpost. It is a good feeling to be in a place where your family dwelt in past times. Many people have utterly lost that kind of connection. In this sense you are lucky.
DeleteThanks YP. Sometimes when I am walking I forget about my troubles and blend into the majestic landscape of our peninsula. I am sure you do the same when you are walking?
DeleteYes that is one of the things that inspires me to walk. Something I did not realise when I was young.
DeleteYes and you learn to slow down and use your senses to observe the natural surroundings.
DeleteThe internet sends back some lovely pictures.
ReplyDeleteIt does Joanne. It jogs the memory of better times. Thanks,
ReplyDeleteThere is something very comforting about being in a landscape that your ancestors have inhabited. I have such a landscape, but it's about 10 miles away from where I live now, and I still miss it. My brother was clever, he bought a cottage with some land years ago. I'd like to move back too!
ReplyDeleteYou're right the veg artist. You are always aware of their presence and they live on in future generations. Your brother's land and cottage sound idyllic. Thanks for your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how many stones were placed there by your ancestor's hands long before there was a 'you' to claim those people as your own?
ReplyDeleteGood question Debby. It's a very good question. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteSo true. I have just moved to a new state, a new town, a new house. This is it, I shall not move again. Too much work for one thing, and this place is just perfect for someone like me. Also for dh, and sis who lives with me. We are home. None of my ancestors are here, and my children aren't either, but maybe some day they will see the beauty in orchards and farm fields and gentle old mountains. I hope so. I will place my first stone this year. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI wish you well in your forever home Kim. It sounds like a very exciting time for you and your family.
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