Mick-E

Hunting the Wren

Saturday, 27. December 2008, 00:43:03

The wren, the wren, the king of all birds,
St. Stephen's Day was caught in the furze,
Although he was little his honour was great,
Jump up me lads and give us a treat.
Up with the kettle and down with the pan,
And give us a penny to bury the wren.

The 26th is St. Stephen's Day in Ireland. Traditionally a day to go hunt the Wren.

Our family tradition is to do the charity walk in Gattabawn.

It was a good day for it, dry and quite mild. Though with all the wet weather some parts of the trail were very boggy. As I learned when I ended up to my knees in a bog.

Not the end of the world, I was practically dried out by the time we got back.

On the route we passed by this ruin which apparently was an old hotel. Back at the turn of the last century there was a mineral spa here.

So after three hours and roughly 9 miles we made it back for a cup of hot soup. I don't' know much about this car beyond that it was parked up in the yard of the pub.

And on the way home we passed by this old castle - note the rather precarious looking piece of wall wedged at the top.

Oh and there was no sign of the wren.

Obligatory Christmas postComments and the lack thereof

Comments

sanshan # 27. December 2008, 03:21

Happy St. Stephens Day.

ellinidata # 27. December 2008, 03:28

I love family traditions!!!
even if it is a small thing! it always brings the quality in the Holidays!

I wonder how come and in Greece the St Stephens Day is on the 27th!
On the 26th we celebrate the name Day of Jesus which was Emmanuel...
my fathers name as well..
thanks for sharing this info with us!
great to know the Mickjoes'jr family traditions too!

!
(no pictures shown today for me..I need to see them tomorrow)

what kind of a soup did you have??

sorry, i just realized you are not in Canada

but in Ireland! no answer till tomorow ... sleep well!

hungryghost # 27. December 2008, 03:43

looks like a nice ramble on St. Stephens' Day Mickey!

ricewood # 27. December 2008, 08:34

Who needs the wren when you can spot a car like that?

That's cute!

BabyJay99 # 27. December 2008, 10:06

Happy Stephen's Day Sir Mick. Nice pixs

Mickeyjoe_irl # 27. December 2008, 13:47

Thanks for visiting everyone. I do enjoy this day out over the holidays.

It was beef and barley Angeliki. Yum

Thanks Allan, I should add that it's a Singer - there's no connection to the sewing machine makers. It's a rear-engined model called a Chamois. (Wikipedia is so handy

)

ricewood # 27. December 2008, 14:44

Thanks, Mick. I have a weakness for these old, noisy and inefficient vehicles.

ellinidata # 27. December 2008, 16:43

I love barley soup!

I wish you health and happiness till you do it the next year again!!!:yes;

clean # 28. December 2008, 00:11

Next year you could go hunt the unknown car, instead!

Mickeyjoe_irl # 28. December 2008, 18:21

Me too Allan

Thanks angeliki

Good idea

sprogger # 29. December 2008, 01:20

Walkey would be proud

anne-eliz. # 29. December 2008, 16:46

Great pictures!

I believe that one of our earliest, if not the earliest exchange here on Opera was last year, about St. Stephen's Day and you mentioned the hunt for the wren at that time. This post provided a nostalgic moment for me.

This year's Feast of Stephen for us centered around the journey to the veterinary hospital, but no wrens were involved. That chapter has been happily resolved, at least for the moment and we have our dog home.

Mickeyjoe_irl # 29. December 2008, 23:43

Walky ma not be so proud of the toll it took. I need to do more in the future. That sounds depressingly like a resolution.

I'm glad you enjoyed it anne-eliz and also that Meka is doing better. I hope there is good news on Tuesday.

angel292005 # 30. December 2008, 18:55

Happy St. Stephen's Day Mickey!

Looks fun

Mickeyjoe_irl # 31. December 2008, 18:01

Hi Sarah, it was a good day out.

BabyJay99 # 1. January 2009, 02:26

Greetings Sir Mick. In life you will realise that the people you meet have a purpose. Some were put there to test you, some would use you, some would teach you, and some would bring out the better if not the best in you. Some may even cause you pain and heartache but one must learn to move on. So pray for the people who can't treat you right, and thank God for those who love you back and see your worth. Happy New Year to you and family. Best Regards. Léazz

ALLY_G # 3. January 2009, 13:07

It seems you had a nice St. Stephens day. And I hope you had a great New Years Day too!
Anyway I wish you a Happy New Year and a great 2009.

CaptainPenguin # 3. January 2009, 16:05

Looks like you had better weather than us Mickey although I was able to go and photograph the local Hunt on boxing day,the car is a Hillman Imp from the 1960's it was the Rootes Groups answer to the Mini and was rear engined and rather basic,my mate had one without a heater fitted

Mickeyjoe_irl # 3. January 2009, 18:59