Spring has sprung here in Donegal. We live in the northernmost part of Ireland so Spring does tend to come later than in other parts. But over the past week it’s been as if two great Irish giants have been doing battle, with beautiful sunny days, followed by windy days full of rain, snow and sleet.

Last weekend we sat in our summerhouse, listening to the lambs in the fields around us. The sun was bright and warm. I even had a chance to do one of my most favourite things, and peg my washing out. I love watching washing blow in the wind.

But on Monday the Winter giant fought back and rain and cold swept back in.

Where I am working I have a picture window, literally from the ceiling to the floor. In the field opposite are two donkeys, one white and one brown. I sat and watched them last week as the giants lashed each other, it was like watching a donkey barometer. Beautiful sunshine, the donkeys came out of their barn. Then the sky turned black, and the donkeys trundled back in just before the hail lashed down. Then I could see their little heads, huddled together as the snow teemed down. Then out came the sun, and out trundled the donkeys. Then down came the hail, bouncing off the tarmac outside, and in the poor donkeys trundled. Before leaving for home, RD fed them two apples I had bought them. They needed it.

On Tuesday it was the Little People’s (always capital letters, don’t want to upset them.) turn. Little spurts of sunshine, little showers, and as an extra treat a hare, just outside, munching on the grass.

The contrast today to last weekend was vast. It felt as if the Winter giant had unleashed his Wind hound. We sat in the summer house as it rocked with the wind, things banging and crashing around us, and poor little Pixie Popple feared for her life. We had gusts of almost 90 miles an hour. It was so strong it blew a crow, feasting on the bird seed on the ground, literally upside down! It took him a couple of minutes to right himself, he looked most upset, and had a look on his face as if to say ‘what fucker did that!’ I have to admit it made me giggle.

We are blessed, whatever the weather, we have each other, we have peace…….

Moisy