Sunday Thoughts

Here we are again: another Sunday, another cold day. It feels more like November than June. Drinking hot chocolate in summer should probably be illegal, but that’s exactly what I was doing yesterday. It’s been very windy too; the trees have taken a battering, and the May flowers are scattered across the roads like forgotten confetti.

It was Jono’s birthday on Thursday, and it’s hard to believe he’s 33. I honestly don’t know where the years have gone. We had a quiet day, with Lucy and Laurence coming over for dinner, so it was lovely to have the whole family together.

Tuesday is Andy’s birthday and our wedding anniversary, and there are a few appointments squeezed in too. As soon as June arrived, it seemed like every appointment arrived with it, so it’s shaping up to be a busy week and month.

I went to Ardcarne Garden Centre yesterday after spotting a Chilean Lantern Plant at the Secret Garden I visited last Sunday. I immediately wanted one, so I was delighted to find them in Ardcarne. Now I’m just hoping mine thrives.

I’m in my happy place when I’m surrounded by plants. Even the lashing rain couldn’t spoil it – in fact, it probably added to the calm. There’s something about the smell of wet soil that I absolutely love, although that probably makes me sound a bit odd!

The icing on the cake was breakfast in the café afterwards, where I had the company of a chaffinch. He was so cute and kept coming back. I convinced myself he was stopping by to say hello, but in reality, he had his eye on my scone.

The garden centre also has a resident cat, curled up in her bed by the till. Plants, birds and cats – my idea of heaven.

There was a moment of panic when I thought I’d lost my purse. I hate that sinking feeling. There wasn’t any cash in it, but my debit card was. Thankfully, it turned out to be sitting in my car. Phew!

I took a little spin to The Courtyard Market in Boyle on the way home. More plants! This time from Erritt Nursery. I bought a lupin, a dahlia, cat mint and nasturtiums. Now I have to plant them – and hope the slugs don’t eat them!

I’m off to Cavan soon for Burren Bites, an annual guided food tour in the Cavan Burren. It’s a great way to explore the Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark and meet some of the local food producers. I’m really looking forward to it – and thankfully my coat is waterproof, though at this rate I’d be tempted to wear a wetsuit if I had one!

Wishing you all a lovely Sunday, and thank you, as always, for reading.