The mountains are calling and I must go. John Muir

Monday in the Snowy Mountains, New South Wales.
A light zephyr, one cloud, an abundance of sunshine and snow at Smiggin Holes.

The miracle of snowgums' recovery from bushfires is slow but steady.

Tuesday at Perisher.
A cooler breeze, one dozen clouds, and still an abundance of sunshine and snow.

The young and the gone.

Wednesday, on the Cascades Trail.
A stiff, wet wind, a sky covered in clouds of all kinds and colours, a tiny patch of sunshine, and light snow falling, melting before it touches the earth.

Snowy mountains.

The joy of the Snowy Mountains, the companionship of long-time friends cannot be surpassed. It replenishes my soul and body.

"Making a santon is like playing at being God the Father and, like Him, producing a man from clay." Historian Marcel Provençal

If you have chanced on my profile page you will see a beautifully dressed, elderly lady. I don't know who she is, but I fell in love with her at Les Baux, Provence  a couple of years ago. On an extremely hot day we paid a visit to the Musee des Santons, and I was entranced.

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 Created originally for the Nativity, these Little Saints are works of art. In Les Baux they were made to illustrate the traditions of the region.

 

 

The Santons are housed in an ancient building that was once a school and a guardroom, among other things. Entry is gratis, but your life will be enriched once through the doorway.

http://www.lesbauxdeprovence.com/en/culture-patrimoine/2-museum-santons

“On Good Friday Brian was killed

Defending the hostaged Irish . . .

Just as Christ without sin was killed

Defending the children of Adam.”

13th Century poem about Brian Boru

Amazingly, we are going to Ireland when there will be celebrations of the life of Brian Boru, c941-1014. One of my favourite Irish heroes. Many celebrations will have come and gone, as he died at Easter time.

I met Brian Boru when he was introduced to me by Morgan Llywelyn, author of historical fiction, in February, 1986. Fiction Brian is not, Morgan brings him to life in her book Lion of Ireland. I am rereading the book with as much interest and passion as the first time.

 

http://www.brianboru2014.com/

 Brian was High King of Ireland, 1002-1014, bringing the country together to crush the Norsemen.  Even though he did not manage to rid Ireland of the Vikings, their power was considerably less during and after his reign. There never was another true Ard Ri bringing Ireland together again. 

On our travels we will be in Brian Boru country. Killaloe and The Rock of Cashel are high on our agenda. More to come when we get there.

http://eastclareheritage.com/articles/brian-boru/brian-boru-and-tuamgraney/