This post Sunday, the 13th - Thursday the 17th
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Big bowl of Frosties with our tea and coffee, attended to the critters, then walked to the office in the sunshine of a fine Irish morning, accompanied by Bonnie and Clyde.
Opened up the lodge, watered all the plants, wrangled the geese, fed the chickens, then walked back home for "tea time" and some online research for our projects.
We drove our vehicle back down to the lodge in anticipation of following Gregg to town to get it inspected. Turns out we need to do another step first, so this will wait. Our insurance for the vehicle arrived in today’s post, our first real piece of Irish mail. Yeah.
Sonja, Kevin, and I spent the better part of the day making the lodge ready for Saturday’s birthday party.
As I walked home to meet Kevin, who was lawn mowing, two hot air balloons floated overhead, a beautiful sight.
I prepared our first dinner in our new home. Ground venison in a Bolognese sauce over penne pasta . . . . Super yummy!
We watched some American TV programs (CSI NY and CSI Miami) and are off to bed in our warm house.
Another wonderful day.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Slept in and arrived at lodge around 9:00 am. Watered plants and fed some animals. Returned to our house for a big bowl of Frosties (Kellogg Frosted Flakes) and a cuppa tea.
More house cleaning and then break for lunch. Sausage wrapped in pastry, yum. Turned on television. We get five channels, four in English. Oprah was on! And the original western movie “The Virginian”! One local kiddie show, and one local soap opera. What a surprise.
Kevin and I learned how to work the wood burning hot water heater. German-made, wonderful technology. It really is an amazing device, it uses the heat to warm up water which warms your house and your hot water. The water tank is ten feet tall and is made like a thermos so it keeps heat for a long time. When we asked how much it cost, we were told “Three fortunes.”
Put together photos for the safari farm website on external drive for Sonja. (Yes, same Sonja from Mearsecourt.) There is going to be a collaboration between Greg, Sonja, Kevin, and me to launch the Irish Farm Safari Park into the new year . . . . And develop an Ushnach center, and more!
The deer team is back from Cork and guests arrived. Andy and Michele from Waterford came to pick up more antlers for their Irish crafts. I learned that I AM CELTIC!!!! All these years, from small kid time, I have been reciting the little diddy my father (William Stephen Pocock) taught me. “By Tre, Po, or Pen, ye shall know all Cornish men. Tre is Tremaine, Po is Pocock, and Pen is Pengally.” Andy told me about the original Irish tribes settling in Cornwall. So I AM Celtic!
Andy and Michele had a two plus hour drive home so they didn’t join us for dinner but we had a great sundown BBQ of venison burgers, grilled onions and zucchini.
Tomorrow we will all spend the morning making preparations to make venison liver pate in the near future.
Going to watch a movie now. Goodnight, and sweet dreams.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Greg took deer to Cork for “processing“.
We still have use of the “jeep” for another drive to town for more supplies and a treat from Shaw’s hardware of four gladiola bulbs to force in kitchen window.
Obtained insurance on our vehicle from Quinn Direct and got a huge discount by supplying a “No Claims Document” from our American company, USAA.
Enjoyed a relaxing day cleaning and playing with my wonderful husband and all the animals.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Kevin and Renee move today from Mearsecourt, Rathconrath, Mullingar, just eight quick miles around the corner to the Farm Safari Park, Churchtown, Ballinea, Mullingar. Of course, this is after taking care of our morning horse chores. Kevin will assist me and take plenty of photos. There have been many changes at Mearsecourt since Sonja’s departure including the return of all Trevor’s horses to his barn or out to pasture. Today will be the last day of my responsibilities regarding the horses. I will truly miss them, but have been given an open invitation to visit Trevor‘s stud farm anytime.
We have learned that unlike addresses in most places, there is no postal code (zip code) or numbering of houses. The an post knows there is only one Mearsecourt House as they know there is only one Farm Safari Park.
This property is owned by the good friend and deer business partner of the owner of Mearsecourt House. When we left Mearsecourt we did not say goodbye, we just said “see you later” as we will be back often to work on projects. This rural area seems to be very much about community and it is almost as if everyone knows that we are “needed” more at Greg’s place than George’s, so are moving is all okay, a win/win for everyone if you will.
Here on the farm/safari we will have our own house, opposite and off the courtyard of the family home. We will share the common areas of the yard, barns, sheds and other out buildings. The lodge is the public/private place for guests to begin their guided tour of the park and is a terribly long commute every morning from the house - a four minute walk, or two minute car ride. Ah, the agony of it all.
Kevin and I will spend the next two days cleaning and setting up house. We have the use of Greg’s “jeep” (Toyota land rover) so we will follow Sonja into Mullingar and she will give us the grand tour of what’s where. Mainly the Dunnes store and Heatons for what we need, and Abracadaba for a late lunch.
We’ll meet her back at the farm to assist her in picking up barrels of veggies from a local market, to feed the pigs.
The day ended with us greeting a Circus Vegas trailer at 9:30 pm with a delivery of Shetland ponies (one foal). This is an Irish family-owned circus with two touring shows, which just closed one tour due to the bad economy. Some of their animals will winter with us on the farm. Could not help but think of Circus Sarasota, Dolly Jacobs and Pedro Reis, and all the “courting” Kevin and I did at their circus!
Photos will be attached soon!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Foggy morning. Kevin assisted me in turning out the mare and filly, then walked with me halfway through the pasture to feed the pregnant mare her “medicine”. What a lovely way to start the day.
I mucked the stall while Kev fed Gus, then it was tea time. No breakfast for us today. The sun is coming out. Huzzah!
Needed to get a jumpstart for the vehicle Greg left behind here at Mearsecourt when he picked up the tractor last night. Neville was kind enough to oblige and we then drove the “jeep” (they call every SUV a jeep here, whether it is or not) back to Greg’s place.
It was nice to off on our own for a short drive and away from the manor house. The sweetness in the air from all the cutting of the fields was sublime! Everyone has literally been making hay while the sun shines.
When we arrived at Farm Safari Park, Kevin jumped on the trailer with Greg and I followed in the “jeep” to meet the tractor/loader machine. It was quite an experience being back on a working farm. When we were done Greg was thanking us for our help and we were thanking him for the fun. “In fair trade there is no robbery!” we were told. Ha!
Long story short, we spent the rest of the day talking and continuing to plan our collaboration . . .
Greg’s friends dropped by as planned to assist with different projects and we all ended up having a sundown BBQ of community contributions. Venison burgers and chips (French fries), grilled beef and lamb steaks, grilled onions, salads, and wine. A feast of good food and new friends.
Kevin and I drove the “jeep” back to Mearsecourt House around 9:00 pm with plans to meet Sonja at 2:00 pm tomorrow afternoon back at Farm Safari Park. Luckily we did not have the same difficulty returning in the dark as we did finding our way in the daylight. The distance is not far between the two places, but involves too many intersections and possible wrong turns. But we made it.
After a nice hot (finally) soak in the tub, a quick call to my Mom in Sarasota from outside under the stars, downloading the camera into the laptop, and it is time to retire. Yikes, it’s almost midnight.
Another great day. And we can sleep in tomorrow, yeah!
Opened up the lodge, watered all the plants, wrangled the geese, fed the chickens, then walked back home for "tea time" and some online research for our projects.
We drove our vehicle back down to the lodge in anticipation of following Gregg to town to get it inspected. Turns out we need to do another step first, so this will wait. Our insurance for the vehicle arrived in today’s post, our first real piece of Irish mail. Yeah.
Sonja, Kevin, and I spent the better part of the day making the lodge ready for Saturday’s birthday party.
As I walked home to meet Kevin, who was lawn mowing, two hot air balloons floated overhead, a beautiful sight.
I prepared our first dinner in our new home. Ground venison in a Bolognese sauce over penne pasta . . . . Super yummy!
We watched some American TV programs (CSI NY and CSI Miami) and are off to bed in our warm house.
Another wonderful day.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Slept in and arrived at lodge around 9:00 am. Watered plants and fed some animals. Returned to our house for a big bowl of Frosties (Kellogg Frosted Flakes) and a cuppa tea.
More house cleaning and then break for lunch. Sausage wrapped in pastry, yum. Turned on television. We get five channels, four in English. Oprah was on! And the original western movie “The Virginian”! One local kiddie show, and one local soap opera. What a surprise.
Kevin and I learned how to work the wood burning hot water heater. German-made, wonderful technology. It really is an amazing device, it uses the heat to warm up water which warms your house and your hot water. The water tank is ten feet tall and is made like a thermos so it keeps heat for a long time. When we asked how much it cost, we were told “Three fortunes.”
Put together photos for the safari farm website on external drive for Sonja. (Yes, same Sonja from Mearsecourt.) There is going to be a collaboration between Greg, Sonja, Kevin, and me to launch the Irish Farm Safari Park into the new year . . . . And develop an Ushnach center, and more!
The deer team is back from Cork and guests arrived. Andy and Michele from Waterford came to pick up more antlers for their Irish crafts. I learned that I AM CELTIC!!!! All these years, from small kid time, I have been reciting the little diddy my father (William Stephen Pocock) taught me. “By Tre, Po, or Pen, ye shall know all Cornish men. Tre is Tremaine, Po is Pocock, and Pen is Pengally.” Andy told me about the original Irish tribes settling in Cornwall. So I AM Celtic!
Andy and Michele had a two plus hour drive home so they didn’t join us for dinner but we had a great sundown BBQ of venison burgers, grilled onions and zucchini.
Tomorrow we will all spend the morning making preparations to make venison liver pate in the near future.
Going to watch a movie now. Goodnight, and sweet dreams.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Greg took deer to Cork for “processing“.
We still have use of the “jeep” for another drive to town for more supplies and a treat from Shaw’s hardware of four gladiola bulbs to force in kitchen window.
Obtained insurance on our vehicle from Quinn Direct and got a huge discount by supplying a “No Claims Document” from our American company, USAA.
Enjoyed a relaxing day cleaning and playing with my wonderful husband and all the animals.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Kevin and Renee move today from Mearsecourt, Rathconrath, Mullingar, just eight quick miles around the corner to the Farm Safari Park, Churchtown, Ballinea, Mullingar. Of course, this is after taking care of our morning horse chores. Kevin will assist me and take plenty of photos. There have been many changes at Mearsecourt since Sonja’s departure including the return of all Trevor’s horses to his barn or out to pasture. Today will be the last day of my responsibilities regarding the horses. I will truly miss them, but have been given an open invitation to visit Trevor‘s stud farm anytime.
We have learned that unlike addresses in most places, there is no postal code (zip code) or numbering of houses. The an post knows there is only one Mearsecourt House as they know there is only one Farm Safari Park.This property is owned by the good friend and deer business partner of the owner of Mearsecourt House. When we left Mearsecourt we did not say goodbye, we just said “see you later” as we will be back often to work on projects. This rural area seems to be very much about community and it is almost as if everyone knows that we are “needed” more at Greg’s place than George’s, so are moving is all okay, a win/win for everyone if you will.
Here on the farm/safari we will have our own house, opposite and off the courtyard of the family home. We will share the common areas of the yard, barns, sheds and other out buildings. The lodge is the public/private place for guests to begin their guided tour of the park and is a terribly long commute every morning from the house - a four minute walk, or two minute car ride. Ah, the agony of it all.
Kevin and I will spend the next two days cleaning and setting up house. We have the use of Greg’s “jeep” (Toyota land rover) so we will follow Sonja into Mullingar and she will give us the grand tour of what’s where. Mainly the Dunnes store and Heatons for what we need, and Abracadaba for a late lunch.
We’ll meet her back at the farm to assist her in picking up barrels of veggies from a local market, to feed the pigs.
The day ended with us greeting a Circus Vegas trailer at 9:30 pm with a delivery of Shetland ponies (one foal). This is an Irish family-owned circus with two touring shows, which just closed one tour due to the bad economy. Some of their animals will winter with us on the farm. Could not help but think of Circus Sarasota, Dolly Jacobs and Pedro Reis, and all the “courting” Kevin and I did at their circus!
Photos will be attached soon!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Foggy morning. Kevin assisted me in turning out the mare and filly, then walked with me halfway through the pasture to feed the pregnant mare her “medicine”. What a lovely way to start the day.
I mucked the stall while Kev fed Gus, then it was tea time. No breakfast for us today. The sun is coming out. Huzzah!
Needed to get a jumpstart for the vehicle Greg left behind here at Mearsecourt when he picked up the tractor last night. Neville was kind enough to oblige and we then drove the “jeep” (they call every SUV a jeep here, whether it is or not) back to Greg’s place.
It was nice to off on our own for a short drive and away from the manor house. The sweetness in the air from all the cutting of the fields was sublime! Everyone has literally been making hay while the sun shines.
When we arrived at Farm Safari Park, Kevin jumped on the trailer with Greg and I followed in the “jeep” to meet the tractor/loader machine. It was quite an experience being back on a working farm. When we were done Greg was thanking us for our help and we were thanking him for the fun. “In fair trade there is no robbery!” we were told. Ha!
Long story short, we spent the rest of the day talking and continuing to plan our collaboration . . .
Greg’s friends dropped by as planned to assist with different projects and we all ended up having a sundown BBQ of community contributions. Venison burgers and chips (French fries), grilled beef and lamb steaks, grilled onions, salads, and wine. A feast of good food and new friends.
Kevin and I drove the “jeep” back to Mearsecourt House around 9:00 pm with plans to meet Sonja at 2:00 pm tomorrow afternoon back at Farm Safari Park. Luckily we did not have the same difficulty returning in the dark as we did finding our way in the daylight. The distance is not far between the two places, but involves too many intersections and possible wrong turns. But we made it.
After a nice hot (finally) soak in the tub, a quick call to my Mom in Sarasota from outside under the stars, downloading the camera into the laptop, and it is time to retire. Yikes, it’s almost midnight.
Another great day. And we can sleep in tomorrow, yeah!
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