I belong to a small writing group in Cork. We meet when we can. The thing is, we have some amazingly talented writers among our numbers. Our genres and age reach are varied but all are amateurs with great ambitions of wanting to write. Most of all we just love to write.

Creative Writing in Cork is holding a gathering of writers tonight 6-8pm. Please note the change of day. 

As one who originally hails from the UK I have listened eagerly to the ramblings and bickerings of Brexit for nearly two years now. One of the striking things that, from my own point of view, is that there is a lack of interest in preserving the interests of those of us who for one reason or another live in countries that are in the EU and outside the EU. Interesting that all the nationalities living in the UK for one reason or another are being catered for yet no one has seen fit to ensure those of us living abroad from the UK are OK. This is one of the reasons why the UK is so unpopular among the EU and other countries. The Government cares only for itself and looking to do the right thing but in reality is doing nothing. Rant over. Going to get a cup of coffee.

It is really ironic when you consider thee new phase of  some youngsters of eating washing powder pods, especially when as parents we are guided to keep them from toddlers reach, washing machine pod companies spend millions advising on safe storage to prevent such disasters. And the minute these brainless yobs can feed themselves they start eating them for fun. Where has it all gone wrong?

Can hardly believe that 4 years ago today we sold our house, packed up our things, the dogs and cats and all moved to Ireland. Where has the time gone!!!!!!!!

Is it me or have the mornings become darker in 2018 instead of lightening?

It was not the best of days weather wise to go to the beach. But this afternoon we decided to take the dogs to Inchydoney in Cork. We met several cars leaving as we arrived and no wonder. The tide was coming in. The wind was blowing, stirring up storms of sand and of course it was raining. Nothing was going to stop us. We wrapped up and eat down with the dogs onto the beach. We let them off and all seemed well with them. Then out of the blue a cluster of seagulls lifted up from the sea and took flight. Alfie thought this great and decided to go for the chase and was heading out to sea. We called him back but he ignored us too busy chasing he quarry. We ran towards him fighting the wind and sand. By the time we caught up with his he was drenched and very happy with himself. None us were happy with him having now wet feet. But we were relieved to be reunited and trudged back to the safety of the car, vowing to her return.

Nights are drawing out and the daffodils are still with us. The started to grow last November and were ready to bloom at Christmas. However the sudden cold snap has stunted them from fully blossoming. Spring is coming.

Our Adventures through Storm Ophelia and the Aftermath

It was a frightful night. Wind and rain howled round the garden and the whole area. This first sign of something wrong was when we looked out the window and saw that the tree across the road was a mere stump. It soon became obvious that the whole tree had come down and into our garden totally blocking the driveway and the road that runs past the house. However it was not long before the neighbours rallied and there were two tractors, 3 chain saws and 8 men working to clear the debris. I will never forget their help that day. We all worked through the wind and rain to clear the road so the milk lorry could pass and happily we did,

The biggest problem that day and continued for the next 8 days was the lack of electricity. The power went down quite quickly as Ophelia took hold. For 8 long days we had no lights, no power, no running water as the pump is electric. It was like being in the Dark Ages. We had a wood burner on which we boiled an old kettle for drinks and cooked our food.

The electricity problem was not to be solved as easily as the tree. The lines had been broken in 4 places and because the area was not as populated as the towns we were not early on the list to be repaired. It took 8 long days before power was returned.

What a day that was! No more boring the kettle for a wash in the mornings. No more using a cup of bottled water to brush our teeth.

The first thing I did was have a shower and a proper cup of coffee!!

Had a brilliant evening of Creative Writing in Cork on Monday. Great stories, lovely memories and good conversation. Looking forward to the 25th January when we meet again.

©️Lorraine Poulter 2017
 A photograph of the giant fuchsias from the hanging baskets last year. A reminder that Spring in not too far away.

Just a quick reminder that Creative Writing in Cork will be meeting tomorrow-Monday 15th January- at 6-8pm. Looking forward to seeing you there.

Poor Loki our cat has decided he is going to sulk over the return of  Newt, the hamster, from the vet. He's inconsolable. Every time he see Newt he's reaching for his knife and fork in anticipation of a tasty snack. As for the rest of us, Loki is ignoring us big time.

Rained for nearly 24 hours. Roads are flooded, the garden is a swamp, the rivers are over flowing. We are fortunate in that it'll be almost gone by tomorrow.

Busy day with the pets today. Dog is going to the dog groomer to have her fur trimmed and the hamster is having his post op check at the vets. Both appointments are opposite in direction from each other.

For the past few days my fb page has not been playing ball. It will only let me see four or five posts at a time. Then as if that wasn't enough it then posted a weird message welcoming me to fb and to start making friends!!!! The message seems to pop up temporarily every time I switch from timeline and home page.  Very weird. It has been suggested that the page has been  cloned. I can't imagine anyone wanting to clone me but hey ho! Changed the password and will wait and see what happens.

Had a really difficult and long day learning how to photoshop in detail. Mixture of boredom, exasperation and delight when at 3.50pm it finally began to make sense. I had to change computers twice. One didn't have the correct icons, the second one crashed and the third I kept. Cup of coffee and a bar of chocolate is one overdue!!!

Lots of colds and flu about at the moment. Keep warm and drink plenty. Off to defrost the car. It's like a Christmas tree bauble covered in glitter.

One look outside and there is a blue/grey glow off everywhere. Not snow but a real rip-snorter of a frost. More like November than January. 

An exciting New Year awaits members of the writing group with one member in the process of having their latest book edited with a view to publication. Wishing you every success.

Wishing you all a Happy New Year and all the best for 2018

Next gathering of the Creative Writing in Cork will take place on 15th January 2018 6-8pm. Usual place