The school holidays started this weekend so that festive feeling is building. Children really bring the fantasy alive, with a bit of help from Hollywood. This is usually one of the craziest times in the year – everybody is trying to finish off work so that they can go on holiday, while at the same time running around trying to buy or make gifts for friends and family. That is certainly the case here – there will be 16 for lunch tomorrow so we’re wondering where they’re all going to sit!
The weather during November and December has been very mild which has meant more outdoor fun, but it seems that yet again the biological cycles are being confused with early budding or late shedding. I’ve seen a couple of snowdrops blooming and the daffodils are already up so we expect to see blooms in January.
The northern hemisphere winter solstice has just passed so the days are at last lengthening again. The dark mornings have led to some amazing sun rises on the school run, but it will be nice to have the return of a glimmer of dawn when the alarm clock rings. The longest night passed over the weekend with nearly full moon (which is tonight) which gave some beautiful moonscapes. Perhaps tonight will be a clear sky too.
We had an amazing reception for PestalozziWorld in the first week of December. Lisnavagh House and Gardens very kindly sponsored the location. Guests were treated to a reception in Lisnavagh’s panelled drawing room which drew remarks from “this is amazing” to “I feel like I’m in a movie!” Many thanks to William and Emily Bunbury for their kind hospitality. (If you have a special event or wedding that deserves a unique setting, check out their website and get in touch with Emily.) The PestalozziWorld evening was a wonderful collection of people from Carlow, and we were lucky enough to have guests from Dublin and Kilkenny too. There was even a direct descendant of John Synge who started a Pestalozzi school in Ireland over 150 years ago. It was a special treat for us t share some of the work of PestalozziWorld with our friends and community. We are also grateful for the unexpected generosity of so many, even those who could not come to the reception, who made donations to PestalozziWorld (all donations support children; administration is 100% sponsored by trustees).
Yoga has wound down till early next year, and the garden is quiet, just yielding root vegetables and chard till the weather gets too cold and they finish too. But planting will begin in the new year. On the other hand, extreme mountain biking remains one of my new best friends. Although damaged derailleur and tyres are expected and a couple of hard knocks keep me on my toes, it is fantastic to challenge the woodland trails.
For those near Tullow, you might enjoy a decadent treat of ice skating at Mount Wolesley. Pam and the children have been a couple of times. Although its a bit mad to freeze the floor in this climate (it must use a lot of energy to do so), Pam is such a good skater and the children learn from her so quickly it’s worth it. Its better than a McDonalds treat!
Well, time to get back to cleaning and cooking in preparation for tomorrow. (“Hands off that brandy butter!) Wishing you a fun and peaceful winter holiday and rejuvenation for 2008.
One thought on “BT Notes: winter solstice, PestalozziWorld, skating …”