Winter patchwork

I wish I had my camera as we flew over Ireland just after sunrise this morning. There'd been a heavy frost the night before and, instead of the usual patchwork in 50 shades of green, Ireland was transformed into a beautiful winter landscape. Every field was somewhere between gray and white and all the hills and mountains were covered in snow. Rivers, hedges and roads provided black lines that criss-crossed the landscape, showing every village and farmstead and pasture in sharp relief. It was spellbinding.

The joy of living in a small country with good public transportation means I was at my door less than an hour and a half after leaving the airport. I took two buses that together cost less than $13.

I spent the afternoon cleaning the townhouse then went for a walk down to the ocean, then visited with my neighbors, who watched our dog. I took some photos today that I will post tomorrow. Right now I'm going to bed--absolutely worn out.
12-29