Our period of sunny weather came to an end earlier this week. People complain and wish for the good weather to stay. I however was happy to see the Summer rain arrive. It is after all what keeps Ireland fresh and lush and green. Forty shades of brown just does’nt have the same appeal to it. 
I remember the Summer of ’95, one of the hottest on record for these parts. Andy and I came over from England… we had been together only a short time and it was his first visit to Ireland. It was hot in England too but I was shocked when I came home and saw the green fields turned to brown. Yes the heat was lovely but farmers had major problems that year feeding and watering animals and vegetable crops did not do so well either. Hose pipe bans were in effect and rain barrels were long empty. 
Yes I welcome the life giving water from the sky that makes everything feel fresh and new and combined with the heat of the land gives a huge spurt of growth to everything. 
I am happy to to see our water barrels filled again as I always like to water the polytunnel and the house plants with rain water. I remember years ago the old people always said that rain water was the best to wash one’s hair in. My maternal grandfather Fred always went out to the rain barrel every morning to wash his face. Winter or Summer…hot or cold…this was his way. He would make a cup by putting his big work worn hands together and splash the water onto his face. I loved to watch this ritual. 
And as sure as night follows day the sun will once again make itself visible. It’s still there behind the cloud waiting for the curtains to part when it will take centre stage once again. Sunshine returning after a spell of rain is always so welcome. We gain a renewed appreciation for it.
Even as I sit here writing the sun is peeping occasionally from behind the clouds… the rain has stopped…I’m off to immerse myself in the fresh green Nature…and if it happens to rain today I shall welcome it with joy in my heart.
“Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet.” Roger Miller
fromacountrycottage 
Indeed it was a relief. As usual lovely post and pics, and comforting to see water barrels filling.
It was a long time coming, wasn’t it? I love the way alchemillas look in the rain. My pond needed the top up too.
Yes great to see the pond and barrels full again. Order is restored!
Lovely blog, Bridget! And I too welcome the rain….although a bit horrified to hear that Roundup has been detected in rain water….eeeek! Love the picture of waterlilies, and the ‘picture’ of your grandfather and his rain barrel! Loads of fruit setting here for making jams, pickles, cordials and chutneys in autumn.xx
eeek indeed! The waterlily is doing great this year. I just love it. It does look like it’s going to be a great year for fruit. Lots of plums here and the blackberries are looking very promising.
Beautiful pictures and words Bridget… Yes the garden was thirsty for some rain and everything springs to life … Makes you feel alive just to see it 🙂 Again thanks for sharing.
We need to gain an appreciation for our rain…I don’t think it’s going anywhere…hopefully!
Lovely post – we’ve welcomed the rain here in Warwickshire today, so glad for it. People look at me a bit strangely when I comment on how wonderful it is to see. If you’re not a gardener or allotmenteer rain can be just a miserable inconvenience, but if you are it takes on a different significance. And best of all – no watering for us to do tonight ! 🙂
except for the poytunnel!
This was an exceptional post. It was beautifully written and filled with such awe of nature. Thank You!
I too have been worried about us not getting any rain. Our grass is brown and dying in June. Farmers in our area say they can’t remember when that happened before. There have been rare summers that has happened in August but not in June. I have always had to philosphy in the summer that I can save my housework until a rainy day. I broke that rule this summer. This is our second day of rainshowers.
Honey
Hope you get enough rain to make everything lovely and green again. I too save the housework until it rains or we run out of cups or cutlery!
Our rain barrels are already full. Yesterday our landlord helped us to finally hooked a water pump in the pond infront of the house and stretched hoses across the yard. We had to buy an extra 50 meter hose to reach the veggie patch. Then the skies opened up and it finally rained. We should have done it a month ago if it was going to dare the rain to finally fall. Thank God!
Honey
Yes it is nice to see the rain water all our plants, it was badly needed. Lovely blog,Bridget x
No amount of watering does the same job does it?
I like the scent, the sight and the sound of rain – but not when I go out to take pictures!
I find it hard to take pics in the sun. They always look washed out. Maybe I need a new camera!
We’ve had decent showers here today and everything feels alive again – I don’t mind the summer rain, well at least not until we go camping!
Horrible if it pours when you are camping. Bad memories there for me…
I love seeing the rain too…we needed it especially my veg garden
Same here. I think the warm earth causes faster evaporation of any falling water.
I love the lush green of the forests I live in and appreciate the rain that brings it to life.
I was just re-reading my journal from a trip to Ireland in the summer of ’97, I believe, and it didn’t rain one day when we there (for three weeks!) It just seemed wrong. I love your memory of your grandfather washing his face in rain water–a beautiful image.
It certainly is and even though he passed away in 1979 it’s still a strong image in my mind’s eye.
Your garden always looks beautiful, Bridget.
Cheers,
Flavia.
That’s so very true and everything is soooo green.
Looking great Bridget. I’m presently working on converting one of my barns into a walled garden by removing the roof as I’ve had to give up on planting the other three acres because of the depradations of the deer! Lovely to see you at my party and thanks so much for the beautiful shawl. Pop round and see me again some time soon X Jan
Enjoyed the party. Will call around soon…if I don’t meet you in the woods first. Good luck with your walled garden…sounds cool!
Yes you can’t beat a summer downpour! I like that roger miller quote very much 🙂
Hi Bridget
I have not had a lot of time to update my blog let alone read many others, but this came across my FaceBook feed and I thought of you…not that we really know each other, but you were front-of-brain for some reason when Ireland was mentioned. Well done Ireland…well done!
An interesting TEDTalk…enjoy!
PS will try to find some time to catch up on my blog reading (and writing!) :0)
Thanks Sharon! Hope we can live up to this honour.
I’m always glad of rain, Bridget, deluges are better than drizzle in my book. Everything is so fresh and cool afterwards and it has the added bonus in a city of keeping noisy people indoors! I think of all that lovely water seeping down to the roots of my plants and trees and it also tempts the slugs out so that I can cart them off away from my veg! My perfect day would be heavy rain at night (or in the middle of the day) with early morning and afternoon sunshine. I wish!
I think we would all love rain at night and sunshine during the day. If only!