Back from Dublin Writers Festival

It has been a lively time since the return from Dublin so I have not had time to write about it as yet. Here goes...
The first evening I was there Anne Michaels read from her new book The Winter Vault. You may know her previous book Fugitive Pieces: a Novel, which is now a film due out any day.
I was stunned. Anne M had just arrived from the airport in Dublin from Canada, she lives in Toronto, nevertheless she was sharp and an excellent reader. Focussed, thoughtful, wise and humane. The kind of person I would love to be and to have as a friend!
It was such a special treat to be abe to go to here reading first thing.
The next day it was work time...I filmed a poet in Dalkey who lived in a wonderfully quirky house up a lane which looked like it could have been in the country in France. She had some lovely cats, a huge feline family; grandmother, uncles, mother and kittens all together...She also prepared an amazingly delicious lunch complete with strawberries and cream. The filming went very well at the top of the house with views from the windows of Dublin Bay.
Taking the DART to Booterstown afterwards we spent the afternoon visiting friends there. They live in a light filled house which looks like an ordinary suburban domecile from the outside but once you step inside it is transformed. A Japanese feeling pervades with an inner courtyard of rocks and green plantings which is somehow also internal. Windows to see through to the green garden from rooms through rooms. It is a house where inside and outside interface and the light fills it up and plants can be seen from every point. There is also a wonderful art collection to enjoy. They are lovely people and it was such a pleasure to be able to spend some real time with them.
The following day it rained cats and dogs all day long and it was really quite cold.
On the Sunday Brendan Kennelly was going to launch his latest book Reservoir Voices and give a reading chaired by Micheal O'Siadhiall at the Abbey Theatre. It was the highlight of the festival at least for me. He got a standing ovation!
I was filming it and it came out well and I am very glad for that.
Friends from England were also there and Brendans' family and close friends too. All in all it was a splendid event and I feel very grateful that I could be there. He is marvellous!

Wolf

Wolf has arrived at Sheep Cottage!
He is coming to live here because his humans had too many dogs for where they are living now. They train gundogs (hunting still goes on here) and could not give Wolf enough attention, he is a GSD aka an Alsatian. He will be seven in September on the Equinox.
Wolf is so full of joie de vivre. He is lovely! With brown velvety eyes and a sparkle for life. We are in love with him.
I sat on the lawn chair sipping my morning tea while he lay in the grass next to me and we were waking up together. He licked my free hand and lay on his back exposing his belly and rubbing his back, paws folded. I scratched his chest and under his chin.
Morning love.
One day and one night and he seems to be settling in very smoothely indeed.
The cats are cautious but with time they will get used to him and his zest for life!
As soon as I have a good pic I shall post it.
That was what was missing here; a wolf, surrounded by sheep and lambs and Red Riding Hood living in Sheep Cottage...

Penny flying!

My sister sent this out to family and friends recently.
I realise how little I know of her dreams. She had wished to do something like this and got her wish granted this summer.
Several years ago she went rafting on the Zambesi river and being a horse woman I expect she is often performing amazing jumps. Penny is an adventurer. I miss her very much, have not see her in ages,