Thursday, July 14, 2011

The Tain Way

Have you ever read the book that talks about 1,000 places you should see before you die?  I had it but can’t for the life of me remember where I put it.  The point is that one of the things I remember reading about in that book was the Tain Way.  When I first saw the sign for this in Ireland this time it immediately rang a bell in my head.  Seeing it with my own eyes and walking along it let me know exactly why it’s something everyone should see at least once.  Walking is one of my favorite past times anyway but add a spectacular scenery and you’ve got a wonderful concoction.  We have far more cows then sheep from what I’ve seen here in Montana so the sheep provided a nice break from what I am used tonot to mention the stone houses and hedgerows that were totally unique to me.  I love how walking along this path would often bring me to a break in the endless hedges to see scenes like this…it’s so very peaceful!  Many of the homes in this area appeared to be restored homes that were very beautiful.  The rolling hills in this area were far smaller than the mountains of our state but they still had a spectacular majesty about them.  The winding roads made me somewhat nervous in that an occasional car would come by leaving someone that was waling little place to go.  I love the white and yellow blossoms of the Irish countryside!  The constant rain and cool temperatures made life spring from the unlikeliest of places.  It could often be very cloudy but nothing could be more wonderful then seeing the sun break through and shine on the hillside!  I know that green, white and yellow seem to be the most prevalent colors but there were other colors in the mix too .  Even our house provided a place for vines to grow.  This is a side view of the house we rented.  It was called “the Swallows” and the owners were more than gracious…it’s a wonderful place!  This is the back door we used most often since the car was parked back here.  I don’t think I could ever get tired of walking this road.  This ram had the deepest voice I have ever heard!  This was what I always dreamed the Irish countryside would be!  This ram was anything but sheepish!  Is this Irish attitude or what?  The ladies of the harem where much nicer!  Sometimes I found myself waiting for a Hobbit to come out and greet me…doesn’t this look like the set for “The Lord of the Rings”?  I suppose you’ve heard of the black sheep of the family…well, here it is!  Oh how I love the Tain way!  It’s spectacular beauty will ever be in my heart.  I will never forget this place!  The steep climb of this walk was always worth the view.  Yes, they certainly do have cowsin fact they thought we were the weird ones.  Gabby tried very hard to make friendsbut the three stooges wouldn’t moooove!  They certainly know how to relax don’t they?  After seeing scenes like this I felt more than just relaxed, I felt the peace of God so strongly.  The flowers know no discrimination!  Stay tuned!  Next week I’ll be showing the other side of the Tain Way.  We will be leaving town for a few days for a wedding my wife is photographing.  Six hours away but it should be a nice break from the usual.  We then have some camping trips to look forward to.  After the bear attacks I’m very glad we will be in a cabin and not hiking deep into the forest but for sure I’ll be getting some new pictures!  God bless you all, have a wonderful week!

13 comments:

  1. Hi Joe,
    your photos along with your words of love for country side.. while in Ireland has allowed many of us who will never be able to see it for real, feel it and experience it as if we were their.. thank you for that.. my friend.. enjoy the wedding...I am sure that Lovely will take some wonderful photos.. stay safe.. soft hugs...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ireland is going the way of Greece, junk bond country. Both have very unique country sides and both have over indulgent governments.
    Have you been on the Tain way in Montana? There are some spots up there that remind me of your journey.

    Thanks for the tour.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I just loved these pictorials of Ireland. It truly is a country that shows what God in all his Glory has given to us. This certainly is a magnificant place. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Joe, Thanks for sharing these beautiful pictures of a place I will probably never see for myself in person.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Gorgeous photos that's wonderful scenery Joe!
    Hope you will find the books that somewhere you has put it way?
    Always enjoy visit in here to look at your photos.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks Joe, I enjoyed the photos and your words so much. I have always wanted to visit Ireland. Your pictures make me want to make that trip more than ever.

    ReplyDelete
  7. SHE WHO SHALL BE OBEYED has commanded that I tell you she is officially jealous! She's always wanted to visit Ireland and your photos are a treasure to her, Joe.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Joe relax at the wedding lol
    the whote and yellow...Gods colours No??
    we have the catolic flag like in the Vatican
    Yellow/White.
    The sheep My God how many are there.I have seen for the rest of my life there. And indeed the country is wide and peacefull.The Ram is the boss. and he shows ..Dont touch His girls..Its his job no?
    2 weeks back we landed in a land with cows..They where curious and not like ÿours" standing like a statue.
    One day u find ur book. and then u remember u wrote abt it on ur blog. Many years from now.
    MJ
    chicasl10@wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Joe, I enjoyed reading your post, and your photos are all so beautiful. After reading all about your journey in Ireland, it does make me wish I could see it all for myself, with my camera in hand. Thank for all you share. You are Blessed for being able to travel to that wonderful Country, and I am blessed by your blog tour.

    I hope you had a wonderful time at the Wedding and I am sure Lovely's photos will be Quite Beautiful as well.:)

    Thank you for stopping by this morning to my blog and leaving your comments. Take care and enjoy the rest of your day, and have a great week ahead.
    Dianne :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. How very spectacular all your photos are. I love sheep and these look like they have wonderful coats for wool. I would love to have that wool , also walk the roads you all walk in all it glory.
    Your photos are just stunning . Im in aww.
    Love them all.
    Have a blessed night.
    and
    yes Im way behind. Life is so very busy

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wonderful of you to share this very enjoyable scenic journey... what great shots of those woolly creatures. Yikes be sure to look out for the bears when camping over there when you go,from what I hear on the news they can be pretty ferocious("-")

    ReplyDelete
  12. what a joy..it always is, to see the photos you share with us..and knowing bits of what the trip was like.

    ReplyDelete
  13. ♫ *´”)
    ,¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) ♫ ♪
    (¸.•´ (¸.• ♫ ♪ I love taking walks, especially at night. I live in the country and it is transformed by darkness... places that are exposed during the day become secret places at night... filled with shadows. The quiet and solitude can make it feel like I am the last man standing in a world plunged into darkness. It allows my mind to venture off wherever I choose (and sometimes where I do not choose), but it also reminds me that walks, like most things, are often better when shared.
    I certainly enjoyed this walk with you too. I hope that you have fun at the wedding and enjoy yourselves while camping. Be safe!

    ReplyDelete