snow – The Mizen Villages

Liam’s Tales: A Change in the Weather

Great see its raining outside this gives hopes to little birds of better day ahead God love em many won’t see morning saw lots them dead around area and driving on road had stop many times poor cratereens could hardly get out way. Nature can be thing of and so cruel at other times I gave out lots brown bread in yard for Robins and Wagtails that be in houses twas not much but we hope twill save a few of them…

11am This view across lake towards home on what’s fine day here good thaw all about as temp at 3c…

Often cycled or walked here years ago post letter long before we ever had car and its nice see this post box still in use up present day…

Enough here for now as we continue on our journey east to Goleen roads in perfect condition did not freeze anytime overnight from what I can see…

A new subject for one of Liam’s on line jigsaw puzzles

This beauty just outside village no doubt some child got great fun doing this hope they cherish memory I remember doing very same thing here at home twas either 1982 – 83 anyway he is now puzzle…

Beach car park like never before and snow covered mountains only add to beauty around here on this day.

Drove the ring from Goleen via Caravan Park could not believe how little snow on other side mountain just shows it must have sunny morning this was around 12:30pm you get no sunshine here till after 10am…

Barleycove really hope its many years before we see any more snow around here Farmers have been finding it difficult milk cows parlours frozen but good news I hear is that milk lorries be around Monday for milk collection really hope for them all goes good…

My neighbour’s holiday homes basking in snow, house on left sold recently did not meet them yet suppose twill be another few months…

2:23pm Mountains looking real pretty and thaw going well on lower ground temp then was 5c just for few hours middle of day…

4:30pm spotted this fellow as we drove home from town they’re all over the place, beautiful looking bird. It is a Lapwing they must come from really cold country for only time you ever see them around West Cork is in weather like this. Another local name I often heard these birds called is PHILIPEENS might not have it spelt right but that’s what it sounds like anyway. If you surprise these birds they have most amazing screeching sound, in saying that they hardly ever stop making noise for sure no need to be told if they around.

Twas in garden beside shed, this fellow was looking picture of health wish I could say this about local birds poor cratereens many them have died it’s sad see but good few nice healthy birds here at home they shelter in outhouses bless em.

5:20pm this view sunset this evening not great but this was it and by way it was raining also what difference a day makes…

7:30pm Temp now 4c we on Lotto duty later so that’s all its bye for now and goodnite from here

Liam’s Tales: Crooks and Capers

Overall apart from being very cold day we had lots sunshine from about 11am – 4pm and you really notice heat from sun and bit thaw when it shines this time year its getting stronger every day and when this cold blast is over it won’t be long till things all normal again….

4:44pm View around Barleycove on this bitterly cold day temp then was 0c and got to 1.5c in or around 2pm…

Looking at this here this evening you just knew that lots more bad weather on way but hopefully in morning Storm Emma be long gone and things begin return to normal…

Not much snow here but cold and ice big problem heard of few places where water pipes frozen solid this big problem for farmers with housed cattle our house water also frozen but luckily good spring nearby bring in water in buckets for cooking its bit like going back in time this how people before us here managed years ago bless em all.

4:55pm Crookhaven on this bleak winters evening this great place get views sunrise from this time year woke last few mornings to come here but was afraid they might be ice on roads as temp at 7:15am was -5c this morning…

St. Brendan’s church where every Sunday at 8pm during months of July – August people come for prayers its lovely way spend evening with people you get see this time year and Hymn singing joy listen to. A thought just struck us wonder is there any stained glass windows here must check next time we call…

All quite in Harbour now but in summer time this place hive of activity notice that only the three anchors still in place where pontoon is during summer months…

Call down here few times most wks love it this time year as Brandy has plenty space run around its lovely place visit and good see that Crookhaven Inn has re-opened in past few wks we wish them well for season ahead…

This where my Aunt Hannie Griffin lives and sure with Crookhaven nearby you could not ask for better view. Brow Head in distance with tide in full on Cockle Strand water was splashing over wall at head harbour as we made our way up here….

Roads around Goleen in perfect order today but in few places near Schull not so good local shop owner had drive Schull meet bread van and supply his customers fair play to him for doing this its good see people doing things like this for good of community…

The Island of Cape Clear in background covered in snow just shows that mainland here got of lightly so far but that could change no doubt. Often heard years ago that St. Ciaran’s mother was born in Cape Clear and that she is buried on top hill here at home marked by granite slab with cross carved into it surrounded by stone circle and holy well about 100 yards below this at bottom hill… Often think that places like this should be open to public and let them share what we locals take for granted but I suppose twill never happen…

5:03pm Another day over our last look towards Crookhaven and Island of Cape Clear love the views from here especially seeing Cape covered in snow God knows might be years before this happens again.

10:20pm Snowing well outside right now with cold easterly breeze temp -1.5c but feels lots colder all we can do now is hope and pray that everyone is safe and these harsh conditions soon become only memory. House really cold have no fire as its central heating and pipes frozen so off bed we go so its bye for now and goodnite from here

Liam’s Tales: The Big Freezey

Bitter cold outside with stiff breeze from East temp -3c its so cold was going fry rashers but the gas pipe after freezing now that is cold… Hope everyone heeds warnings and stay off roads from 4pm onwards as this time Storm Emma is due its dangerous storm so heed warnings and stay safe above all don’t risk life some innocent person if you get in trouble

Woke this morning at 7:10am had peep out window did not see much snow on Letter Hill so did not get out see sunrise stayed where we were suppose its safest place be in weather like this…

On our way east Goleen this evening around 6pm temp only -1c twas not much higher any part day while out for walk in beach lots frozen snow about place….

6:35pm Snowing well here for past 45 minutes or so few snow showers early morning but twas good for rest day…

Denny’s Pub looking well in snow love yellow colour really stands out in this kind weather and moon shines brightly also….

It’s amazing this picture taken without flash on even though it was snowing well you cannot see it but snowing well it was trust me…

This view with flash on this shows perfectly what conditions were like pure winter and Storm Emma arrives about 4pm tomorrow up from Bay Biscay well somewhere around there anyway let’s hope she don’t stay long with us…

This place where we shop everyday sure you be surprised when you enter how much stuff inside as all shelves stocked neat and tidy and its open all hours that’s beauty of having place like this..

Night air begins fall over place and as you can see most people at home little traffic on road sure with temp at -2.5c its at home we all should be

Roads around here in perfect condition all day around Goleen but very bad from Skibbereen east sure Goleen – Cork bus which leav’es at 7:50am could only get as far as Clonakilty he had return back Goleen got back around just after 12pm he said things real bad from Clon onwards… Fair play to driver for making effort to travel he could do no more and all CIE Bus routes cancelled till Friday at least…

Often calls in here great place pass some spare time lots interesting things see and lots good reading about local history also here you can rent room for Wi-Fi its handy for doing important stuff while on holidays…

Temp when taking these pictures were only -2.5c it did not feel that cold but at same time when we going home at 6::45pm the snow had frozen on windscreen had put on heater before we could travel…

7:05pm Nearly home and lucky get there as road by Jimmy Downey’s getting dangerous car was slipping bit going uphill no doubt but if this continues till morning things be real bad…

That’s it another day ends and happy we are get inside besides fire put car into shed for night in case we wake early for view sunrise this way no delay as car be frost free well that’s plan anyway..

9:45pm Stopped snowing at moment but yard outside looks real pretty with moonshine on all snow about place its nearly bright as day anyway enough that so its bye for now and goodnite from here

Liam’s Tales: Twas the night before the beast

4:45pm This view over Barleycove on what was cold evening after our walk in beach myself and Brandy like 2 little orphans no one else about place…

Looking at sky with all clouds was thinking about not going out Mizen it did not last long this thought so off we headed for Mizen Head…

5:15pm Just arrived here and liked what we saw on this beautiful evening very cold but nice and dry also…

5:37pm Few lads from Poland after arriving get view sunset also few them first time here and blown away with view we could not understand each other much but we got enough know what they were trying say…

Few these people live in Bantry and they brought their buddies from Poland out on visit while holidaying with us on Ireland. Brandy getting bit hassle but spell after this they got on mighty. Would like thank them for pictures and wish them well its good meet people from other parts world…

5:44pm Frozen with cold temp only 2.5c but as sunset still piece away shall get few other views place…

Brow Head in background and you can see Marconi Tower where we got sunrise from other….

Storm clouds move in from east it’s not good looking but with clouds overhead like this it can make for pretty picture you can often see this happen just before sunset. Moon rising over place not long now till twill be Full Moon March 2nd and if winds continue from easterly direction they lots serious flooding in low lying places as an easterly wind always blow in big tides…

Crookhaven looking fab in evenings sunshine and Stony Beach where we often got nice views of sunsets. Love the colour as sun nears end of day it’s just beautiful and see the night shadows take over its great way spend some precious moments…

View towards home and mountain in background is called Knocknamoderee some day we hope climb top this mountain looking at size of it might take sandwich and flask tea also help us…

Honestly these storm clouds getting better by minute for sure must be snowing under them it been so cold here but anyway back Mizen get last few views sunset.

6:10pm Last peep of sun here for another day and blessed we were to have had such beautiful day and be able get out and about to enjoy it all…

6:18pm Closer and closer the clouds get and we now begin wonder about snow but right now all we think about is Stations of cross that begin in church at 7pm….

9:23pm Snow Shower has arrived in Goleen its great see this now we begin think about views in morning…

Had confessions this evening after stations cross told priest twas 8-9yrs since last in confession box told him I had not much say only that we had bad thoughts about neighbours from time to time he was kinda surprised and gave us few Hail Marys and Our Fathers to say and we feel much better now that we done that might go again next Tuesday…

Hard keep camera lens clean from flakes snow sure they fall over place no sense direction but we done best we could. Brandy fast asleep in car no worries there twud be great to have mind like Dog don’t think nothing ever stress them out…

At prayers this evening we had 24 people I was 3rd youngest nice see few younger people than myself it gives hope for future…

9:34pm Another day done and it’s been good to us but really most of all looking forwards to views in morning….

It does snow in West Cork!

It’s a rare occurance but there was snow today, not enough to build a snowman but enough to get a few young at heart excited

A couple of us braved the weather and collected some manure for the Community Garden from Mary and her donkeys, with the snow not so much laying soft, crisp and even but hitting us horizontally in the face a top the mountain overlooking Crookhaven.