Cabin Fever.

The last few days have been very windy, not at all congenial weather for gardening. I have managed to get another forty spring bulbs planted but gave up, the wind was relentless. Maybe the week will improve a little. Time to start getting out the glass paints again or catch up with some sewing, although I would rather be outside.
Simon on the other hand braves the weather, at last the cladding on the sunroom has been done. this was one of the long finger jobs. We built the sunroom nearly three years ago but could not decide what cladding to use on the block work, rendering it was one idea or stone cladding,

in the end we decided to go with wood. This was brought about by having to make a decision on the front door porch cladding. This is a job that we have actually employed a builder to do for us as it involves cutting into the roof. It should have been a simple job, however finding a good quote for the double glazing of it has proved rather more problematic. The company we had wanted to use, the biggest one in Ireland would not do it as we have the outside insulation, they were worried that they would not get a good fix despite assurances and instructions from the company that had installed the insulation. We have now found a company, very local, but like anything else you have to wait. We were told two to three weeks, that was three weeks ago. Anyway between us and the builder we decided that wood cladding would look right for the porch, which meant that the sunroom would have to be done the same to look right. I am very pleased with the result, it has added a more rustic look to the cottage which has been so modernised as to have lost a lot of it's character.
The other job which the other half surprised me with is the putting up  of wind break fencing in the straw bale garden.

The wind break fencing should help.

We have already lost an Acer in this garden, the other one was looking very wind burnt as was the Lilac. Putting up this wind brake should create a micro climate for this area.
One of the thing we love about Ireland is the amazing amount of  archaeological remains that litter the countryside.

 One of these remains is very close to our local town. Rathra is just four k outside of the town and is very impressive but not the easiest place to photograph.
Archive ariel photo of Rathra.          

There is very little known about this Rath, it does not appear to be defensive,

Possibly this was one mound but has collapsed in the middle

 the central mound  is possibly a burial mound, other thoughts are that is was a ceremonial site. It is rumoured to have passages beneath it.

The ramparts are over six feet in height.

 The three ramparts would have been stone clad but throughout the century's these have fallen away although they are still visible.

 It has never been excavated, dating back to the Bronze age, 2500-500 BC it is a very interesting site with fantastic views all around.

Latest catch.

We are still being spoilt for choice from the veg garden, the calabrese and cauliflowers are better now than the earlier ones, but I do have to soak the caulis in salt water before cooking, they come with added protein!