Hi folks!
Well it’s been a while since I’ve written anything on this blog. Almost 6 months, 11th of July was the last post I did. Changes were happening in my life and I just wasn’t in the mood for writing.
The biggest change has been that Andy and I are no longer together. We have been living separately since last August. We are still good friends and look out for each other, we even spent Christmas together. After 20 years together I suppose we had both changed and living together wasn’t as free and easy as it once was.
Of course many of you will have been through the same thing and know that life goes on. There is always that period of adjustment though. Naturally! Uncoupling isn’t an easy thing to do.
I am still living in the cottage and Andy is living in a rented cottage which is about 20 minutes drive from here. We see each other every week and I’m glad to say there is no bitterness between us. He still cuts the wood and other jobs around the place.
I enter 2015 on calm waters and look forward to the year ahead. Who knows what it may bring! I am looking forward to working in the garden again, not that I ever stopped!
Snowdrops are already visible and of course everything is stirring back to life beneath the surface of the Earth. So looking forward to the Spring flowers. Especially the Daffodils, I just love them.
It has been an incredibly mild Winter here in Ireland. Very few frosty nights, the coldest one was a few nights ago, the mercury dropped to -3c. Some days there is a definite feel of Spring in the air but of course February and March are the worst of the Winter months here. Sometimes there is an east wind which goes on for weeks. Maybe this year will skip that! Wishful thinking…
I always feel relieved when the shortest day is over. I imagine the evenings are already a bit brighter. The days of long shadows are nearly over as the Sun once again rises higher in the sky.
Before I finish I would like to thank all the people who sent me messages in the past months wondering if I was ok. Sorry for not replying but that was the space I was in. It was so nice to know that there are so many genuine and caring people following this blog.
Thank you all so much.
Much love and good wishes for a happy 2015 to you all!
Bridget xx
fromacountrycottage 
Happy new year, Bridget and welcome back!
I have indeed missed you, and I have indeed been worried about you, but I sensed that you needed your own space and time to and for yourself. That time is a very special and sacred time, as well as a necessary time for yourself and for caring for yourself.
This past year has been a difficult and painful one for many of us (myself included) – while I’m saddened by the news about you and Andy, I’m glad – if that’s the appropriate word to use here – that you are friends and that there is still that bond between you.
I too am looking forward to the oncoming of spring, and the fact that the shortest day/longest night is behind us. I always feel a sense of hope and renewal.
We need to plan a day out – lunch or coffee – perhaps in Carrick…or Boyle, as we’ve a lot of catching up to do.
Be well, my friend, and take care of yourself. And welcome back! You’ve been very much missed. 🙂
Thank you so much June. All the best to you and Thomas for the year ahead. So looking forward to the year ahead. The page has been turned, anything is possible. Lunch one day would be lovely. Will email you. xxx
Hi Bridget. I am sorry to hear your news, but pleased you are still friends.
I am awaiting eagerly, the first bulbs and other signs of spring.
Take care of yourself. Always remember you are very special and deserve to be happy.
Love Susie, Willaston, Cheshire UK
Hi Bridget, good to see you back on the blog, but sorry to hear your news. I hope the new year brings you only good things. The evenings seem to be getting brighter here too – we can’t both be imagining it, can we?
Thanks Sarah! Hope it’s a good year for you too. xx
Happy New Year to you Bridget.
It sounds like you have been on quite a journey, it takes time to adjust.
I have been on a very similar journey myself – I parted from Sam and he moved out in September. We also spent Christmas together as friends. It is a relief to be able to be friends with those that have been in our lives for so long, even if we now live apart. I’d been with Sam for 21 years. It is quite an adjustment for sure.
For me, having the garden and land has been a great comfort and anchor in this time of adjustment and I plan to re-invigorate it more this year. (I may even get my new garden blog going properly).
Do come over and visit sometime, it would be lovely to see you and catch up.
How are your Hugel Kultur beds doing? I’ve been thinking about them this week for some reason.
Wishing you a wonderful, happy year ahead.
Lots of love, Ferris.
Just signed up for your garden blog. Looking forward to it. So many similarities in our stories. Well see you in the not too distant future. xxx
I am glad to hear that youand Andy are well and in good health. I am sorry to hear that you two have ended your relationship. I am glad to hear the two of you have ended it as friends. Take the time you need to find your footing. I wish both of you well.
Honey
Thanks Honey! Will get back to checking out other people’s blogs soon. Looking forward to the new gardening year. xx
I have wondered how you were doing with such a long silence While I am sorry for your loss I am happy that you are peaceful. Will you be able to manage your property alone?
I am sending you long distance healing Reiki for the road, and the journey, ahead. Blessing and love.
Bless you! I did my Reiki 1 in September and am doing Reiki 2 in February.
Andy still helps with the maintenance of house and garden. We own the place jointly.
Thanks for your kind words. xx
Bridget I drifted back to your blog often wondering how you were….I am glad life is settling back down and you are moving forward in 2015 with calm waters. Here is to a soft winter and an early spring with daffodils soon!
There’s already 3 inches growth on the Daffodils in the garden here! Best wishes for the year ahead. xx
How lovely to hear from you once again, but i am sorry for the reasons behind your necessary silence. It is great that you can continue in the cottage and that Andy still comes to help, a tribute to you both I’m sure. Sending best wishes for 2015:)
All good wishes to you and yours for the year ahead. xx
Oh, Bridget, all best wishes for you! No matter how much love and caring, it isn’t always enough…and no matter how “right” the break-up is, there is still a period of mourning. My heart goes out to you, wishing you strength and happiness on this new path. Take care!
Thanks Cindy! Yes, you are right, of course there is a sense of loss but ultimately life must carry on. Happy New Year! xx
Hi Bridget
Long time no see. I was so sorry to hear of your sad news but it sounds as if you are handling the situation ok between you now. It isn’t easy I know. It won’t be long before we can spend much more time outdoors as springtime approaches and I look forward to seeing how your garden progresses. Nice to see you back.
Thanks Elaine! Hope it’s a good Spring and Summer. Looking forward to getting into it all again. Best wishes for 2015. xx
Hi Bridget, yes your posts have been missed. Sorry to hear of your separation. It must have been a sad time of huge adjustment. I’m glad the worst is past and that you sound strong and optimistic. You have a lot of friends looking out for you. Even if some of us are from in the virtual realm, know that you are very fondly thought of. Sending warm wishes- Karenx
Friends, virtual and otherwise are immensely important to me. They are after all the family we choose for ourselves. Best wishes to you for 2015. xxx
Happy New Year Bridget! I’ve missed your blog very much over the past months as I love seeing how productive your life has been. I’m sorry to hear about your breakup with Andy … I myself broke up with my husband at the end of May so I can appreciate the feelings you’re having at the moment. I am viewing my breakup as a chance to invent myself again…. it’s difficult to adjust to being a singleton again and indeed it can get lonely but I focus on what I want to accomplish for myself now and what I have to change in order to achieve it… You are being given an opportunity to dance with life now and embrace all the wonder of it … I find great solace in nature and when I see how powerful nature is … I feel less alone and more empowered. I wish you many blessings for the coming year and a wish for kindness and love from all you hold dear to you. Please keep up your writings as you’re a very talented blogger and you should make the best of your talents now and nourish your strengths…. Stay strong. Miriam x
Thanks Miriam! New Year, new challenges, new opportunities. Nature has always been my sanctuary and will continue to be. Happy New Year and good luck with all of your own endeavours. xxx
All the best to you Bridget in the new year ahead,whatever it brings x
Happy New Year to you Cath! x
No bitterness and still friends. A good way to make a new beginning.
Jane x
Hope things are well with you Jane. Happy New Year! x
So good to have you back, you were missed.
Lots of love
Ali xxxxx
Happy New Year to Alan and yourself. Coming to Ireland this year? xx
We’d love to bring the old camper over (that’s the van, not Alan!!) Fingers crossed! be good to come over late summer xx
Sure you might as well bring him too. A choice of houses to stay in now!! Be lovely to see you. xx
Welcome back Brigid, youve been missed. I wish you all the luck in the world in the year ahead in all your endeavours. Eileen
Thanks Eileen! Best wishes to you for the year ahead. xx
Glad to read your blog post Bridget It’s been way too long Welcome back and Warm wishes to you for 2015
Best wishes to you too Ena! xx
Welcome back. I had wondered. Looking forward to future posts.
Welcome back–I missed your photos, commentary, and gentle spirit! Glad that you are coming through the tough time OK.
Happy New Year, Bridget. Sounds like you’re on the other side of a difficult stretch. I did miss you. Your winters are always more mild than ours here in the northern U.S., but it sounds like even more so this winter. Spring and gardening are always exciting to anticipate. Wishing you good fortune in the months ahead.
Thanks Beth! I think it may be a while yet. Snow forecast for next week!! All good wishes to you for the year ahead.
I had so wondered what had happened to you and am so sorry to hear that you have had such a tough time. 20 years together is a long time, but it sounds as though this break up has been handled with love and empathy on both sides.
I wish you every happiness for the future and hope to be able to watch and share your journey again.
The blogosphere is a hugely supportive place and I too have found an amazing amount of love and support as I have watched my life and marriage of 35 years collapse.
There will be good days and bad days, but never be afraid to reach out. We are all here to help and support you. We are your blogging family!
Karen x
Thank you so much Karen! I do so appreciate all the messages of concern and support that I have received. All is well and I look forward to the year ahead. Sorry to hear of your own troubles. Hopefully 2015 will see new doors opening for you. xxx
Glad you’re back and doing well! I divorced after 32 years and can relate. I’ve been un-blogging for several months myself due to several life changes (not divorce this time). Life gets pretty crazy sometimes! Praying for you and yours!
Thanks Gina! Hope all goes well for you in the year ahead. Things have a way of working themselves out given time. x
Happy New Year Bridget
Any change is hard but we all live through it. It will all work out for you. We will all be here for you. I just loved the picture of the Days of long Shadows.how meaningful. My best to you
Happy to be back blogging again and nice to know that there is a caring community within blogworld. Hope you have a great year!