"The place where the sea comes in"

A very shorty story

 by Jacqui Reed

The place where the sea comes in is a wild remote place, at the bottom of slate grey, craggy hill sides. Covered with green mosses and decaying grasses still burned brown form winter winds.

The little road, sometimes found by tourists is still used daily by a few locals. It’s narrow and rough from potholes that have spread across it from drivers trying to avoid them when they first began to appear.

Hidden in over grown hedgerows amides the primroses are the tumbled down remains of stone cottages. The owners and their families long gone, scattered by Atlantic winds. Black rotting wooden beams fallen in under the weight of neglect and water sodden thatch, windowless frames reveal their empty insides.

A rusting old water pub stands like a guardian on the bend in the road. Dry and silent now, echoes of tin buckets filling and splashing down bare legs still vibrate the salty air. Around the bend through a ramshackle little yard that’s been divided in two by the road. On the left the little stone shed with its black pitch rounded roof, held on with blue ropes anchored down by logs, filled with turf and an old fading bicycle.

The family home on the right with white turf smoke billowing from the chimney, across the road like a mist  that drifts in, filling the car with memories of days long gone.

Turning on to the bumpy sand hardened road, that rises a little to tease you and makes your strain your eyes, your head, and your body as you try to catch a glimpse of the sea.

You have to get out of the car and walk the short distance to the pebble topped beach before you can stand and take in “The place where the sea comes in”.

ON LOCATION; Fashion and Style shoot from the Wild Atlantic Way, Northwest Donegal,

Fashion and Style shoot from the Wild Atlantic Way, Northwest Donegal,

By Jacqui Reed

The Wild Atlantic Way is a world-famous coastal route that spans seven of Ireland's counties, taking in some breathtaking scenery along the way. From Donegal to Galway, Kerry to Cork, the Wild Atlantic Way is a journey of discovery.

The northwest of Ireland is known for its rugged landscape, towering cliff tops and sleepy fishing villages.

On a calm crisp Sunday morning I had been invited to almost the furthest point along the wild Atlantic way to Glendowen Craft shop. Glendowen Crafts is nestled into the countryside of Donegal with the coast on the doorstep and the village of Clonmany near by.

Proprietor Ann mc Gonigle has joined forces with two Donegal based business owners Jay Doherty of Jay Doherty Photography and Amanda Cavanagh of Vixen Hair and Beauty to showcase some of the local talent of the county.

Coming together they are creating an opportunity to boost their rural business, offering a different perspective to proposed customers and clients.

Jay tells me “the inspiration behind this project - it is one of a number of personal projects I undertake during the quiet time every year. It helps me try new techniques, learn to be a better artist, gets me more familiar with my landscape, people and my wee camera.

Beside the craft shop stands a white washed cottage Ann uses for traditional music sessions. And this is where we are joined by the first of the day’s models. They are  local girls who’ve returned from college for the weekend to do the shoot.

For tester shots Jay decides the cottage light is perfect for the head shots that will be used by Vixen hair and beauty. The models styled in a selection of Glendowen’s Donegal Tweed wraps and capes. Amanda teased any stay hair in to place and a final touch up on makeup and the shoot got under way.

Tester shots are taken by Jay on Polaroid followed by the sound of continuous camera clicks. Jay positions the girls by the small laced windows where the angelic morning light falls on their faces showcasing their opulent hair and makeup.

 After the head shots are complete we all climb in to our vehicles, following Jay as he had the next destination already in mind. Turning on to a wee country road that leads us of into the hills along a stunning large lake we turned down a bumpy windy bog road to Lough Naminn, Mindoran.

Lough Naminn is something of a magical place with two small islands on it and the treasure is that you can walk across a stone way to the first island.

Surrounded by mountains covered with a dustings of snow on top, the models in lavender and fusia Donegal Tweed capes nestled amidst rust heathers and ancient boulders of this wild valley.

Ann who makes all the clothes in Glendowen Craft shop says “She delighted to see how her natural tweed clothes blended with the landscape and came to life.”

“Glendowen specialises in a beautiful range of bespoke ladies garments with a gorgeous hand-crochet finish all designed by myself. The Garments are specially created in the traditional-style workshop. 

“Each piece is both traditional and current will be cherished for many years to come and will be truly a ‘limited edition’.”

These include Donegal Tweed, Irish Linen and Donegal Yarn Coats, Jackets, Capes, Wraps, Skirts and Tunics all accessorised by Hats, Scarves and Bags designed and made to compliment the garments in store.  The Donegal tweed that Ann uses is woven by the world famous Magee’s of Donegal Town and Mc Nutts of Downings, also based in Donegal.

Leaving the magical valley we then take a tour around the Mamore area, beautiful unspoilt area of Inishowen stopped at the divine Mamore holiday cottages, located at the foot of the hill after which they are named. - Mamore Hill.

Five beautiful original 'Donegal Style' thatched cottages. Originally built 150 years ago: - Each cottage is named after the last owner/tenant who occupied it - Mary's Cottage, Kate's Cottage, Mickey's Cottage, Seoirse's Cottage and Willie Dan's Cottage.

The quaint cottages make the perfect backdrop for the next stage of the shoot where we are joined by four more models. And the synergy between the makeup artists, the hairdressers, the clothing designer, the models, the photographer all combine to create something very unique and monumental.

While Jay is capturing the breathtaking shots I take a moment to ask Amanda about her business Vixen Hair and Beauty.

“Our boutique salon based in Carndonagh offers the highest levels of expertise in hairdressing and beauty and we hold a 5 Star rating from the good salon guide. 

“Vixen Hair & Beauty provide a modern concept in hair and beauty where the emphasis is on the provision of excellent hairstyling, beauty and customer service.

“We provide all aspects of hairdressing from cutting, colouring, blow-dry, up styling, Bridal hair to Human Hair Extensions. Our Makeup artists offer. Occasional makeup. Nail art, manicures and pedicures. Waxing and brow shaping.

“And coming together today with Ann and Jay is a fabulous way to utilize the skills and talents that each have to promote their business in their stunning country side.” said Amanda.

Leaving the cottages with the nosey donkeys that gathered to watch the goings on and nibble the models hair to drive to the rocky shore near Leenan Head.

We leave the cottages with the nosey donkeys that gathered to watch the goings on and nibble the models hair to drive to the rocky shore near Leenan Head.

Our next location, an unspoiled beach with boulders of all sizes have been rounded, sculpted and worn down by wild Atlantic seas. The models are helped to the top of the craggy pre-historic headland again and have any straying hair tamed, garments tweaked and as the evening light draws in the final shoot gets under way.

The results are awe-inspiring set against the jaw dropping beauty of this Inishowen coastline.

As equipment gets packed away Jay finally has a moment to tell me about himself and his feelings about the day.

“I’m a wedding and portrait photographer from Donegal in Ireland. I have a few cool awards under my belt, PPANI wedding photographer of the year 2015 runner up, a pair of FEARLESS Awards, a SWPP wedding photography gold award in 2014.

“But that nonsense aside I have always been a photographer, my father before me was too. I began my photographic business 6 years ago.

“I love to shoot weddings; I love to shoot children and family moments. My style is unique; my approach is informal, fun and often verging on high-energy.

“My wedding clients and families mean a great deal to me, and I do realise how lucky I am in becoming such an important part of your lives, for a while anyway. I like to meet with couples, drink tea, eat fancy biscuits and get to know their stories, their loves and fears before we make any photographs.

“With each new assignment I will try to push our creativity levels. I am constantly seeking new photographic locations; I thrive on Donegal hilltops, golden barely fields, leave-carpeted forests, cosy Irish pubs.

“On days like this, I learn skills I'll use the rest of the year at a wedding. I invite others that I believe have a great positivity and creative energy. We all bring your own good energy and we all get to live the dream for a day.

“This session was wonderful. I love Inishowen and its rugged beauty. Beyond the obvious there are so many hidden gems; one such is Mindoran. I pass it from time to time and have stopped briefly for the occasional wedding photo but this time I really wanted to explore its gifts.

“The colours in winter are so unique to this part of the world, purple, browns and greens, slate rock, dark skies, low winter sunlight. A massive lake, mountains surround, trees, wild life - maybe it was just an excuse to spend a day in the area. A day well spent.”

Our day “On Location” had come to an end. With it there was a real feeling that these local businesses coming together in this astounding area of natural beauty had just created something very special.

Taking Part “On Location” were,

Glendowen Craft Shop for Donegal Tweed Garments & Accessories plus a Selection of Local Arts & Crafts http://www.glendowen.com/

Jay Doherty Photography www.jaydohertyphotography.com.

A gallery of natural, creative and fun wedding photography from Derry and Donegal venues and some further afield by Jay Doherty.

Vixen Hair & Beauty is a modern concept in hair and beauty where the emphasis is on the provision of excellent hairstyling, beauty and customer service.

http://www.vixenhairandbeauty.com/

Short Story: The boy in odd shoes

 By Jacqui Reed.

It’s one of those memories that stayed with me, even now some years later. The little boy and the look on his face is what I recall the strongest in my memory of that journey to Aguas Calientes, just below the ruined Inca city of Machu Picchu.

It began as the train slowed down to a complete halt, they had to let another train pass and then move on to the single line, or something like was said as the announcer had spoken in broken English.

Gazing out the window and taking in the wild landscape, I notice the ramshackle houses that clung precariously to the hillside on stills with clothes hung from makeshift clothes lines like faded rainbows.

As the train stopped children’s laughter drifted in the small openings at the top of the windows and everyone in the carriage turned to see where it came from.

Four children, an older boy of about eight, two young girls about six or seven and a smaller boy all jumping up and down, chattering to the passengers and laughing.

They began to make hand signals, small outstretched hands, begging and then putting them up to their mouths.

In the packed carriage no one moved or said anything at first. Then a woman stood up and threw something out her small window to them. The children half slid, half ran further down the banken and scrappled about till one grabbed and lifted what was thrown out to them. It was a bread role wrapped in cling film and the victor, one of the little girls was shrieking with glee.

It was then that I looked down at the cardboard box on my knee, recalling when the rectangular boxes where handed out to each passenger, how it filled my heart with a pleasant feeling of simple joy to open it up and see the neat little compartments. Each filled with something tasty to eat, a bread roll, butter, cheese, crackers, grapes and plastic cutlery wrapped in a white napkin with the trains logo embossed on it, all neatly packed in plastic.

After eating some cheese and crackers I had closed the lid, planning on saving the rest till later. It was when I closed it I noticed in block red letters “DO NOT THROW CONTENTS OUT THE TRAIN WINDOWS”.

At first I though it was odd to put on them, as if anyone would litter this beautiful place, but now I realised it was the contents they meant. Do not to throw them out to the children along the line, wither to feed them or save them from dangers of the train or just the sight of children begging from tourists. Who knows which reason was the real one?

So I opened the lid, lifted out the remaining contents and threw them out my window, I threw them far so not to bring the children close to the track and just like before the kids ran excitedly for them.

All except the older boy, he held back.

I looked at him; he returned my gaze and held it. I took in his jet black hair, his skin the colour of coco, his t-shirt with some logo on it, his shabby trousers and finally his shoes.

He had two different shoes on, one black, scuffed leather and burst open at the side, no laces and the other, a black rubber sandal made from recycled tyres. I noticed these before; a lot of the local people wore them in other towns I’d visited.

I look up into his eyes again, and he looks deep into mine, suddenly a quick movement catches my eye. His hand moved quickly down to his side. I followed his hand and saw that he was trying to cover the long rip on the side seam of his trousers from me.

His small hand could not cover the whole long tear.

It was when I looked back into his eyes I saw his embarrassment, his realisation of his poverty for the first time in his short life.

His innocence gone in a glance, taken by a gesture of kindness.

A few simple Winter warmer’s from your Kitchen.

Following a recent talk for a womens group, I was asked to share some of my recipes I'd use that evening so this is just a few quick simple ones for now.

During the winter our hedgerows are bare and if you’ve not harvested during the year or are new to hedgerow harvesting here are a few handy ingredient we all have in our kitchens and a how to guide for getting the healing benefits from them. 

Ginger

Ginger is grown as a root and is a flexible ingredient that can be consumed in drinks (tea, beer, ale) or in cooking. It can be used to make foods spicy and even as a food preservative. For over 2000 years, Chinese medicine has recommended the use of ginger to help cure and prevent several health problems. It is known to promote energy circulation in the body, boost our immune system and increase our body’s metabolic rate.

Foot Detox pads.

1 Tbsp of Mustard powder (absorbing)

1 bulb of Garlic

I large lump of Ginger.

2 wound dressing pads

Method

     Bring 1 ½ cups water to boil..     

   Finely chop garlic and ginger and add to water, stirring in mustard power too.

      Bring to boil, simmer for 10 min,

      Cool,

      Spoon some of the mixture on to pads not to much that will over spill out.

      Place on soles of feet, put on an old sock.

      Sleep soundly till morning then remove in the morning, there maybe residue on the outside of pad from detoxing .

    Chest, sinuses and head will feel clearer and helps to fight colds and flues too.

Ginger syrup

Simply slice peeled fresh ginger and put into a jar of honey, take a spoonful when required. Can remove ginger after over night, optional, depends on how strong you want the ginger flavor to be.

Teas.

Herbal teas are simple and don’t have to cost anything, just collect you ingredients in Winter , Ginger, Onion, Garlic, Cloves, etc place in a cafeteria, pour boiling water over. Leave to stand for 5 min, pour and add honey to taste. A simple as that in the winter,

Salt Joint rub

10 tblsp table salt

20 tblsp olive oil

5 drops marjoram oil (optional)

Blend together in a wide necked jar, place a towel under area your rubbing to catch any salt fall off. Rub in to affected are, starting with 5 minuets then build up the length of time. It will feeling tingling and warm when done,

The benefits of this are that the rubbing of the joint helps dispel the build up of lactic acid that causes pain and bring in fresh blood supply that helps heal the joint. Marjoram oil is optional; it can also be great pain reliever.

Hot Joint oil.

2 tbsp Cayenne pepper

2 tbsp mustard powder

1 tbsp Ginger powder     

2 tbsp black pepper.

1 pt of olive or sunflower oil

Combing all the ingredients in a bottle, shake well and store in a warm place for 2 weeks. Gently shake it once each day. After 2 weeks , strain and use as rub for circulation or joint pain.

Natural Antibiotic ( this comes with a heat warming)

700ml of Apple cider vinegar

¼ cup chopped garlic

¼ cup chopped onion

¼ cup grated ginger

2 tblsp grated horseradish

2 tblsp Tumeric

1 hot chilli (the hottest you can handle)

 Place all ingredients in to a jar, close, shake well. Store for 2 weeks, not in the fridge or near heat, store at room temp.

Strain, you can use the dry ingredients for cooking.
      Caution Very strong! Very Hot!
          Gargle and swallow 1 tbsp daily. Eat a slice of lemon after. You can build this up to a small glass daily.

 .      This remedy strengthens you immune system to fight of Flu’s colds etc.

Onion

Our simple onion used daily in food is  mighty strong in fighting bacteria, so here are some quick simple uses.

1.      We all know to slice an onion in half and put by the bed at night for the snuffles and sinuses trouble. Don’t eat this afterwards, throw away used piece.

2. 

     Warm some milk, adding slice of onion and pinch of black pepper, this is good for colds and aids digestion.

3.      Onion Syrup. Slice onion and put 3 slices into a jar, cover with organic honey. Leave overnight, Strain and store in the fridge. For sore throats and coughs, take a spoonful when required.

Sea Weed baths

Sea Weed baths are divine for our bodies in winter, especially as we have harsh drying winds and central heating and fires on. Many therapeutic benefits are attributed to seaweed bathing. Scientific studies have confirmed that seaweed bathing helps lower body stress and relieve skin conditions (psoriasis, eczema, acne etc). It has also been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of muscle aches and joint stiffness (rheumatism and arthritis), and excellent for some circulatory problems. Seaweed treatments are associated with body toning, slimming and the release of toxins. Indeed, the therapeutic merit of seaweed can be aptly described as one of nature's timeless treasures, fostering beauty, balance and vitality.

      If you’re fortunate to live by the sea, 

Take a bucket on your next walk and collect some, esp. Bladderwrack. Wash it off outside when you get home, to rid it of residue sand and other wild life attached to it.

      I use either Lemon/ Orange/onion net bags and fill with seaweed; I personally don’t like seaweed floating around in my bath.

     Run a hot bath, drop your net bag of seaweed and leave to soak for 5-10 min, you can remove it then if you wish and step in to bath or leave it in for added benefits.

( essential oils optional but please be careful to mix well in the bath as can cause skin irritation)

      Afterwards your skin feels soft, silky smooth and deeply nourished and your mind and body feel relaxed and rested.  All ready for a great nights sleep.

The wise woman's knowledge of plants is of a practical nature, based on skill, observation, and recipes that are passed down from generation to generation. Once she was the family doctor, herbalist, candle maker, chef, and seamstress all rolled into one. This herbal database of natural remedies grew out of a personal quest for knowledge of traditional herbal healing and alternative medicine. I hope you will find something here that helps you also, whatever your interest in natural medicine may be.

Herbal remedies Some common ailments respond very well to the treatment with herbal remedies, but must not be seen as a replacement to conventional medicine. Herewith some ailments, and the corresponding herbal remedies that may be helpful with the particular problem, but when in doubt, please consult your medical practitioner immediately.

Walk in Peace and Humility

      Jacqui Reed

Bogay, Newtownc-ham, Co Donegal

Blog; http://fragglebean.blogspot.ie

Email reedjacqui@hotmail.com   

Tel; 00353 89 4094902

Lookshelves; a snoop blog at other peoples bookcases and what their books say about them

As a passionate reader and book lover, I have numerous books and I'm lucky enough to have a few different bookcases. They're a little bit like a woman's wardrobe where each one lends it self to where I am at that time. My largest bookcase is at the end of my bed, yes some of the shelves are little higgledy piggledy but I know where every book is on there, if I ever need to lay my hands on one.

On it are books on poetry, herbal medicine, history, places I’ve traveled, places I dream of travelling to, reference books, DIY books , gardening books, children’s books, an odd self help or self discovery book and some of my favorite old antique classics.

My bookshelves draws quite a vivid picture of me and it got me thinking just how personal our book cases are, how much they reveal of our real selves, showing our deeper souls on those shelves.

When I visit someone’s place I'm always intrigued see whats on their bookshelves. I just want to get straight to the shelves, run my eyes along the array of book spines, scanning the titles, till one catches my imagination, my breath, my heart and I reach in and draw out that book which pulled me in.

I began wondering whats on your bookshelf and what would your books and bookcase say about you?

Do the crammed shelves tell your story, 

Do they change as you grow.?

Do our bookcases show us as we are?

Do you have a favorite book that you would save if your house was on fire?

Do you hoard books or pass them on freely?

Which ones can’t you bear to be parted from?

Have you got a book that you want to read again?

Thinking about these questions got me laughing about how I’ve even been drawn to a partner by his taste in books.

I dated (briefly) a man to whom my bookcase drove crazy. For him there was no logical order to it, nor was it alphabetical , methodical or systematic in his eyes…. But for me none of that is important and I know where everything is on it. I later ( not too much later) discovered he didn’t have a bookcase, it was a nick knack holder. Needless to say … Our paths don't cross anymore.

Once I met a beautiful man and while I sat by his fire gazing along his bookshelves I thought how much his shelves would compliment mine, how I wanted to explore those shelves more, how they just fitted with me, my ideology. Each one of those bindings was showing me an intelligent soulful man ,a man who likes to travel and had many questions of this world. I wanted to sit with him, talking , pondering all this and more, sadly that wasn't to be but it taught me there were men who did read like I read.

So my first bookshelves to browse is

My Bookcase by Dean Gallagher; 

Musician, graphic artist and part time gallery curator Dean Gallagher tells me about his bookcases. How he’s a fervent Stephen King fan, how his bookcase tells a little of his story and gives a slight insight into Dean the person.

 “I’m a dedicated fan-boy of Stephen King, with one bookcase totally devoted to his books and films. My first encounter with Stephen King was when I was 7 or 8 yrs old. The movie “IT” a bit to young maybe but it was my first horror film and I was hooked. The next film I saw was “Stand by me” a film that not a lot of people associate with “King”.

The very first book that started my collection was at 16, bought for €1 – a Tesco paperback “ Cell” . I’d it read within two days, it was amazing, I just fell in love with it. I had to get more of his writings and so began my affair with Stephen King books.

Any spare pennies I had were spent on them, Birthdays or Christmas, King’s books became my every occasion presents. I bought my first hard back “Insomnia” and that’s where my hard back collection began.

The following Christmas I got a hard back novel from my mum. It was called “Duma Key”, I loved the dust cover. I know they say never judge a book by it’s cover but it’s American style and art work attracted me to it.

Hard backs appeal to me being a fanatical collector and a bit of a perfectionist, I don’t like creases on the binding. 

Also the designer’s eye means that the art work on the dust covers appeal to me too.

Book or Film

I try to read as many of the ‘King’  books that haven’t been made into film as opposed to those all ready adapted to films.

I’ve found once you’ve seen the film the book's ruined  For example films like Misery or The Shinning  the book is so much more graphic that the film and often has a different ending, or sequels to the book that's never shown. I read mostly his new stuff now first.

I do have an extensive film collection that began with Stand by Me, then Carrie and ones like ShawShank Redemption, that people don’t associate with King. Being a film nerd my films are all in chronilogical ordered on my shelves.

Where do you pick up your Stephen King Books?

 I buy them second hand, charity shops or on line, though on line it’s very tempting to get carried away buying them.

If your house was on fire which book/ books would you save?

“Well the only other books on this bookcase are two small pocket prayer books and these are the books that I’d save if there was a fire.It’s not that I am a religious person, I’m agnostic but these two wee books belonged to my Great Great Granny and my Grandfathers Mother.”

The two palm size books are bound in chocolate brown leather that shines from the oil and moisture left long ago by faithful hands and devoted use. The gold leaf that once edged the pages is now dull with wear. Pocket books of prayer that were once carried everywhere.

 Opening one of these little books your eyes are drawn to many lines of a young woman’s name in her hand writing ‘Philomena Lyons’.

 Stuffed between the thin paper leaves are little religious mementos, decorative cards printed in Italy and Switzerland all preciously kept. There was even a mass card for the men that died in 1916 Easter Rising.

On Dean’s second bookshelf in his attic den

 “It’s in no particular order or size and probably says more about me” laughs Dean.

I like biographical books so there’s a few like Phil Lynott, Micheal Jackson, Alex Ferguson, Roy Keane and some coffee table books. 

 “There's History of Art and Design and a book on Album Cover Designs and T-shirts, Movie Posters and Magazine Design and the History of Bands. The graphic artist an music lover in me has drawn me to these books.”

Ending the tour of Deans bookcases I ask what his next books will be “ That’s easy he says, There’s still some Stephen King hard back books I’ve to get. 

They are a bit more difficult to source but I’m in no hurry, I’ve plenty to be reading.”

So drop me a line, 

I'll come along and hear about your bookcases, how you shape them or they shape you.