Thought for today:

Too many meetings are created by too many people who think that they know what is best for others and who set themselves up as some sort of pioneer, some sort of crusader, some sort of evangelist, but how can you trust anyone who has the ground but doesn't grow their own vegetables?  

I honestly believe that if everybody who attended a meeting had to bring a carrot and had to sit with it stuffed up their jacksy that meetings would be a little more succinct.  Needless to say I don't go to any more meetings...... but I do love carrots.

Ferries:  All as normal today.

We recommend checking the ferry web site if you are travelling any great distance, click the link: Cape Clear Island Ferries.com

This blog is maintained by Cape Clear Island Hostel: www.capeclearhostel.com

Wet or Dry: 

Wet overnight but clearing to dry throughout the day. Still spotting now and then.

Sunny or Cloudy:

Sunny with white fluffy clouds.

Night Sky

Overcast. 

Temperature: 

Quite mild still

Windy or Still:

A little wind but nice with it. Lovely walking weather.

Sea Condition:

Rough to calm, not as much fun as yesterday.

Tides  - approx: 

Click the link for tide times in October: Tide Tables
The above are the tide tables for Cobh.
Simply add 15 minutes to each of the times and you will be close enough for Cape Clear.

Birds:   see also http://capeclearislandnews.blogspot.com/ .

During October

Short Eared Owl

Merlin

Collared Flycatcher possibly.

Barn Owl

Red Flanked Bluetail

Red Throated Pipit

Red Backed Shrike

Pied Flycather

Ring Ouzel

Chickens x 5:  Maggie; Oraiste; Teapot; Billybob; Ginger  

Plumage: Starting to moult but only partially.

Eggs: 4

Flowers

Roses still looking good  - pink and gorgeous..

Marigolds are huge and lovely.

Dahlia is in second bloom - flowers were blown off in the high winds last night.

Fuschia still looks good.

Sinead has nearly cleared the hill side and is ready for planting.

Gradually filling the new herb garden with soil gathered from around the garden.

Too many other flowers to mention them all.

Vegetables from the walled garden

Lettuce - picking leaves and come again.

Onion

Carrots

Spinach

Cabbage - one is nice and plump - we had it for dinner last night.

Beetroot

Potatoes

Planted turnips

Water Shortages

Please use water sparingly as water is still rationed on Cape

Fishing:  

Fish breaking the surface from time to time. Fishing from row boats is worth a try.

Books:    Currently reading: 

Henry Martyn Field's History of the Atlantic Telegraph, published 1866:

The story of the heroic struggle to connect America with Europe. 

Terry Coleman's Passage to America, published 1972.       

Favourite Poems:

Apostate Will

In days of old, when Wesley's power 
Gathered new strength by every hour; 
Apostate Will, just sunk in trade, 
Resolved his bargain should be made; 
Then strait to Wesley he repairs, 
And puts on grave and solemn airs; 
Then thus the pious man addressed. 
Good sir, I think your doctrine best; 
Your servant will a Wesley be, 
Therefore the principles teach me. 

The preacher then instructions gave. 
How he in this world should behave; 
He hears, assents, and gives a nod, 
Says every word's the word of God, 
Then lifting his dissembling eyes, 
How blessed is the sect! he cries; 
Nor Bingham, Young, nor Stillingfleet, 
Shall make me from this sect retreat. 

He then his circumstances declared, 
How hardly with him matters fared, 
Begg'd him next morning for to make 
A small collection for his sake. 
The preacher said, Do not repine, 
The whole collection shall be thine. 
With looks demure and cringing bows, 
About his business strait he goes. 
His outward acts were grave and prim, 
The methodist appear'd in him.

 
But, be his outward what it will, 
His heart was an apostate's still. 
He'd oft profess an hallow'd flame, 
And every where preach'd Wesley's name; 
He was a preacher, and what not, 
As long as money could be got; 
He'd oft profess, with holy fire. 
The labourer's worthy of his hire. 

It happen'd once upon a time, 
When all his works were in their prime, 
A noble place appear'd in view; 
Then ______ to the methodists, adieu. 
A methodist no more he'll be, 
The protestants serve best for he. 

Then to the curate strait he ran, 
And thus address'd the rev'rend man: 
I was a methodist, tis true; 
With penitence I turn to you. 
O that it were your bounteous will 
That I the vacant place might fill! 
With justice I'd myself acquit, 
Do every thing that's right and fit. 

The curate straitway gave consent-- 
To take the place he quickly went. 
Accordingly he took the place, 
And keeps it with dissembled grace.

Thomas Chatterton