Apple Store

A couple of weeks ago, we took a trip out to Ballycross Apple Farm in Bridgetown.  Spring is a lovely time of year to go because the driveway is abundant with hundreds of beautiful daffodils!

The farmlands are not open to the public, but it is possible to see the orchards in the distance all along the drive up to the courtyard.

The pretty stone courtyard is a busy place but its safe to give the children some free reign.  It has a very innovative laybrinth made from apple crates (its safe) where the kids had great fun playing while we drank our coffee and waited for our delicious waffles!

In the stables surrounding the courtyard, there are rabbits, guinea pigs, pygmy horses, lambs, goats and a very charming pig!

Any chance of a kiss?

We took a walk around to the wildfowl area and the stables before going back to the Apple store where we bought the largest most juicy apples! There is a wide variety of apples to choose from and some expert advice at hand.  All in all a big hit for the whole family!

Kilanerain Woods was fantastic on Thursday!

It is such a lovely walk but kind of a strange forest to me, as it is characterised by its openness.

We drove out from Gorey heading the old Gorey-Arklow Road and took the left opposite the Berry Farm. You drive over the railway go straight and just after a B&B sign on the left there is the entrance. An information board displays a map with variations on walks.

We collected two friends in Kilanerain and I headed down to the forest with five boys. Provisions in a rucksack and off the two older ones fled kicking a football between them. We had a bucket, fishing net, enthusiasm and a small picnic! As I closed down the boot other friends drove by us. I called them and mentioned they should come too. There were several ballerina’s in the car which had to be transformed in to explorer’s so they said they might catch us later.

So off we went through the gate. Kilanerain is a gentle forest with a broad flat walk way and offers a great amenity to families in Wexford. You can push a buggy through most of it. I notice more trails spiking of the central path I think they have just got more distinct. We meet other walkers, a mountain biker and several dog walkers. We did n’t meet any horses on this occasion.

The first pond we came to had no tadpoles and a sense of anticipation swept over us, well me anyway, would we find any tadpoles. I need n’t have worried. The path has a small ditch on the right that is filled with water and pools in several places.

Further down the path we saw the older two excitedly ’fishing’ with a lunch box. All the kids were gone and I really enjoyed the glorious blue sky and thought this is a great day and we are so lucky as a family living in Wexford to have such a lovely environment to take the kids out into for fun, exercise and fresh air. The excitement was great. There were lots of tadpoles. Bodies and tails no legs yet.

We proceeded to walk down towards the stream lovely new leaf growth and dashes of blue bells. No wild garlic but the cutest little white flowers that looked like fritillaries but having looked up www.irishwildflowers.ie they might have been wood sorrel, I’ll have to go back and have a closer look we do have some good identification books (I must put them in the car). Or I’ll just wait till the 24th of May and ask Debbie during the biodiversity family guided walk.

Cowslip

We also spotted cowslips but well along the forest past the bench and to the right just before the river. There were plenty of Common Dog-violets so sweet and slightly fragile looking like mini irises.

Anyway tadpoles were the main order of the day and a very successful one at that. Once you walk down the straight trail it curves to the left crossing a river. This is a great place for paddling and exploring, keep small ones safe as you walk up this part of the track as the left hand side of the walk has several large deep clear pools. These pools were hives of activities with water waders, tadpoles and some other unidentified creatures. As the weather gets warmer these pools are great for the kids to wade in have a splash and cool down – toddlers need continuous parent hand holding. Before I let my kids do this I like it to be warmer, I also make sure they understand the consequences of being in dripping wet clothes if spares have not been brought or there is no towel. I will not let my kids go into water of any sort unless I am prepared to go in after them or be in the water beside them, safety first.

As we got to the bench we meet some toddler twins and their Mum and Dad. Very fortuitous as one word borrowed another I mentioned the Biodiversity walk, I don’t know how but Kieran mentioned that he was going to start a Kayak – Canoe Club in North Wexford South Wicklow. I could n’t believe it. I was delighted it is a major gap in the market and I for one will have my kids booked in with him as soon as he is up and running. I used to do a lot of canoeing. So I can’t wait to see the information coming into mykidstime I recommended he post something in the MyChat Forum and get some feedback. 

The two older ones had started a game while I was talking telling the small ones that they had found a bear. Creating mystery, fear and suspense as they all traipsed into the woods looking for it, the forest suits open creative play. It really reminded me of that book ‘We’re going on a bear hunt’. They all came running through the short growth looking back over their shoulders! I hope my youngest has n’t taken it to heart.

Our friends joined us with four children the youngest in his buggy. We heard them before we saw them which was funny. Their arrival was amid a flurry of popcorn and drinks followed by some apples. It distracted the kids from the bear hunt.

We continued along the trail and headed for the more open part of the river. There is a funny part of this walk that has a short line of cherry laurels it looks like a trimmed garden hedge – odd.  I wonder what is the story behind them?

I’d no problem with the older two running off and having fun jumping over the river further along the path. But I really do not like up that part of the walk for smaller ones so we did not hang around choosing to turn around and head back the way we came.

Adventures in the woods

A slight detour up a steep mucky rocky embankment and some more exploring before we caught up with the older two. Then back the way we came stopping at the river for a quick dunk our youngest had a paddle. His verdict was “cold”. We had various experiences with welly boots that got filled with water and became impossible to take off, made squelch sounds and were so uncomfortable that socks were the chosen footware of the walk back to the car. Just as we came near the end of the walk I had a text from the mum of the two boys that came with us ‘you coming back? spag bol just ready’ then I noticed it was half six. Time fly’s when you’re having fun.

We have committed to going back to visit the tadpoles in two weeks time to see how much bigger they have got. All the tadpoles were returned to the pools before we left Kilanerain Forest.

If your looking for something to do with your kids in Wexford or family and friends in Wexford, Carlow or Kilkenny I recommend a trip to Mount Leinster. A great area for panoramic views, a picnic, stroll, hike, cross country run and mountain biking adventure.

I was obsessed with getting to Mount Leinster this holiday! Why?
I have no idea. Maybe its because Wexford by the sea is so flat and having grown up in Wicklow I was missing the hills. Or because we had never ventured there!

Easter Sunday morning found our family with a picnic packed apples, ham, not enough bread rolls, crackers, a flask of hot water, teabags, a knife, t-towel, bottles of water, beakers and half an easter egg! Kids in the car sun spliting the stones, jumpers in the boot and off we went.

We drove to Ferns, stopped for fresh bread rolls at the petrol station and headed straight through the roundabout up Ferns main street past the church, we noticed the playground to the right and took the R745 out of Ferns. Following this road, at the T-junction we go straight onto a smaller road (rather than following the R745 down to the N80 - technically you could stay on the R745 straight to Kiltealy).
As you get closer to Clohamon there are lovely river views and a glimpse of some old estates the big houses long gone the majestic trees left.  Crossing the River Slaney, passing by Slaney Meats and onto the N80, left and an immediate right. Roadworks around Bunclody means no right turn into the town. Driving up this road you will start to get views of the mountains, the one Mount Leinster is the one with the TV mast on it. Pass through Templeshanbo which has a really interesting looking old church and graveyard. The church has a very distinct tower.

I wished we’d stopped to have a closer look at the graveyard. I’ve since discovered that Donald Kavanagh of Clonmullen and his granddaughter Eilíonóir are buried there. There are several significant things about this. Dónall Spáinneach Caomhánach (his affectionate name) was one of the most important figures in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. However you won’t find the Kavanagh tombstone, the tradition of inscriptions did not start in Ireland till after 1700. But look for his great-granddaughter, Eleanor Booth wife of Lieut. Booth of Clonegal who was buried there in 1717.
Donald’s  granddaughter Eilíonóir is remembered as Eileen Aroon.  Cearúll Óg Ó Dálaigh the north Wexford poet, wrote several love poems to her and she is remembered in song as ‘Eiblín a Rúin’ or Eileen Aroon. It is a well known song and 1988-89 Bob Dylan performed “Eileen Aroon” at 11 shows.

The Eileen Aroon Festival is celebrated annually in Bunclody usually the last two weeks in July. A vibrant outdoor street entertainment festival mixed with something to suit everyone’s tastes with children’s day, pub talent, pub quizes, Mr and Mrs competition, batchelor competition,  field day, car treasure hunt, five-a-side soccer, battle of the bands, carnival and many more events.

Follow this road turning right to Kiltealy. Take the R702 signposted for Gowran. From here on its hilly and we followed the brown signs for the TV transmitter mast.

There we fields of very cute lambs and sheep so we stopped to take a closer look. Follow the road straight until you come to a sign posted crossroads and go right Mount Leinster towers over the landscape. There are lovely stone cut houses in this area. The road leading to the TV transmitter mast has horrendous pot holes. There are several places to stop and explore the woods but if it’s your first time to visit the area keep going. The road is narrow so drive carefully and find spaces for cars to pass.

 

View to Kilkenny and south Wexford

Coming up to the viewing point and picnic area is so dramatic. Our children were awed and impressed, jumping out of the car park to run around and explore at once. It was very cold so jumpers and more jumpers were layered up. The view is amazing and the air crisp and pure. So after our picnic and a cup of tea we set off to walk up the hill opposite the mast. Looked a little bit more accessible and we’ll work up to the TV mast walk. 

Good size hill for kids to climb!

We got to the first hill to realise there was a second higher one, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford and Wicklow can all be seen. I wanted to keep going but our eldest’s asthma had kicked in - partly due to his ambition to beat everyone to the top! So reluctantly we headed down happy in the knowledge that we would return and get to know the walks better.

It was a good first introduction I really recommend it for all age groups.  The kids wanted to hang out, walking and balancing on the car park fence. Then we finished the rest of the picnic, Easter egg demolished and headed off in the car.

View to north Wexford and Wicklow.

The route back was more straight forward you leave the picnic area facing the TV mast go left and head straight on through lovely scenery ending up in Bunclody just the north side of the Carlton Mill Race Hotel.

We choose to go right at the bottom of Bunclody main street heading home via Kiltealy again as we had decided to go to the playground in Ferns.

I was so glad we did what a great playground! Opened in 2008 so it has modern play equipment. My gang loved the bird nest swing and the turntable - merry go round! A well kept secret just opposite the National School in Ferns.

Whipped ice creams and 99’s at the petrol station were excellent if not a little expensive.

Then back into the car and we cut home through Boolavogue and Ballyedmond. We are really enjoying the stretch in the evenings I got some gardening done and kids tore around on their bikes till it was dark.

A friend of mine had a great idea to invite everyone’s kids for an Easter Egg Hunt! We had a spectacular day on Wednesday with bright blue sky and probably the only good day in the week.

Her email arrived a week before with the following instructions “having an easter egg hunt on April 8^th(Wed ) from 10am to 5pm at our house.  If interested in coming, please bring one foil wrapped rabbit (in aldi for 1.69) per child and anything extra to add to the supply.  I am supplying little eggs up to crème egg size…“.

Well we picked up our foil wrapped bunnies in Lidil for 1.49 and I made a tray of brownies to bring. I thought it was an excellent idea to ask people to bring a foil bunny prize and smaller eggs.

For me it was a kinda complicated day as I had a meeting in Enniscorthy at 11.30 and did not want to have to drive the 40km back to home to pick up the kids. One of my other friends who lives near Boolavogue took my gang of three, thanks Jane! So after my meeting I picked up the kids headed back to Enniscorthy (was tempted to drop into the 1789 centre - we had attempted to go over St.Patrick’s weekend but it was closed - only open Monday to Friday!). Drove straight through Enniscorthy a nod to the playground, past the Last Oak sculpture. A couple of left turns and there we were.

Clodagh is such a generous host not only had she opened her house and garden for the Easter Egg hunt but she feed and watered us as well. Coffee, tea and squash for the kids was in plentiful supply along with goodies to eat (she makes the best millionaire squares I have ever tasted), others brought tray bakes, cakes, biscuts and fruit. There was a really good mix of kids and mums some from the Cuidui group in Enniscorthy, her kids school and others from the Wexford Women in Business network. By the time the first round of coffee was over the kids were spotting eggs in the garden so an offical start was declared. By the time I’d walked around the garden about twelve more cars had arrived.

Hunting for Easter Eggs!

The kids had so much fun finding the eggs. As some were found the mum’s were out with handfuls of eggs scattering them around. All the kids had to look for a bunny token. Which was an egg sized piece of paper with a small drawing done by her kids or the word “bunny” on it. The token was used to retrieve the large foil wrapped bunny brought by the parent.

Everyone pitched into help with the refreshments and making sure all the kids were happy.

Large mounds of top soil in the garden were a great centre of play when the hunting was over. Everyone had great fun and I think the parents had just as much fun as the kids!

Thanks Clodagh a fantatic event! How many kids were there? 40 I’d guess and that was just in the afternoon.

Well I had great plans to celebrate with the kids. I thought we would have a very personal experience and make a book for ourselves. My plan involved getting the children to do a series of drawings or photographs and then make them into a book. I even thought if they were grumpy I’d find a work around. we did n’t even get that far!
Our five year old was so exhausted that he just crashed on the way home and slept until 5.30pm. Are anyone elses kids this exhausted? He did wake up at about 4 then climbed on to my lap and fell back asleep.

I suppose I don’t need world book day to do a family project but sometimes days like this prompt us to go that extra mile with our kids.

So Wexford watch out family book projects will happen yet!

P.S. We were really disappointed to hear that the Wexford Book Festival will not happen this year.

Aerial Run Enniscorthy Playground

What do you do with a family in Wexford during a midterm break? Bundle them in the car and go on an adventure!
We had a great plan - out of the house early and on the road to New Ross before 10am, the Adventure Play Barn in the morning, pottering around the town and then meet friends in the New Ross playground in the afternoon.
My kids had only Thursday and Friday off so they were reluctant to get dressed and would have been quiet happy to stay in the house all day. But the sun was shining and  Wexford was finally living up to being the Sunny South East. We also had a family friend staying over from Co. Louth, aged 13 so another good excuse to get out and about. Four boys - you can imagine the turmoil of computer games, pyjamas and stubborn behaviour. Of course it did n’t help that as I was trying to motivate the kids to get dressed one of my 
consultancy clients called and we spent an hour on the phone.

Finally everyone was dressed and we were on the road to Enniscorthy around 11.30am, a quick stop in Kilmuckridge to get some petrol and shop for a picnic. Out on the road up and over through Oulart and on into Enniscorthy passing through lovely landscape of gentle hills and twisty bends. The sign for Oulart Hill made me think we could detour there! The sun was shining but I had arranged to meet a friend in New Ross so we were committed to going. We got into Enniscorthy and I parked just over the bridge on the left. I suggested a visit to the pet shop for the kids which they were delighted with, the pet shop has live animals upstairs and a good range of food, toys and accessories for all sorts of animals they also had a selection of spring bulbs in pots for sale (a nice idea if you never got around to plant bulbs).
A quick visit to the Abbey Shopping Centre for the remainder of our picnic where I noticed a really nice little cafe that you could easily sit and have lunch (small so not great for buggies) but staff very friendly. The centre has a Supervalue, two newsagents (one having a small selection of toys).

We drove down to the end of the road beside the Slaney River past the hotel on the right and parked at the playground. The hotel would be another option for eating if you did not want to go the picnic route, wanted some hot food or a cuppa. Parking was easy to find. Our initial impression was good. Two playground sites in a lovely location beside the river both playgrounds were busy.

Younger kids playground, Enniscorthy

The younger playground is made mostly from wood. We liked the seesaw and the climbing frame. My seven year old thought the swings were too low but still enjoyed them. The older playground is more recent and modern. The favourite was the aerial run - fantastic fun ensuring Enniscorthy Promenade Playground is added to our households list of fun places to go and regularly visit.

It also featured a swing basket which my kids really enjoy but as they were about to invade it another mum pointed out it might not be safe as a screw was half way out of its holding on the top right fixing. I checked for a number on the notice board outside the playground and reported it to the County Council they promised to send someone out to fix it - I hope this has been followed up on. That was the only negative.

There are enough benches for parents and families to sit on, enough fixed equipment for lots of kids to play on in the playground but the location lends itself to picnics, bike rides, rollerblading and walks by the river, look out for Swans and fish in the river. Oh! The railway track runs right by so don’t forget to wave at the train if it goes by.
Toddlers and escaping younger children would need to be supervised carefully as there is no fixed boundary between the path along the playground and the river (the playgrounds are enclosed by a fence and accessed by self closing gates; two gates in the junior playground). It was so much fun in the playground that no one wanted to leave, I tried to extract the kids from the Enniscorthy playground several times and in the ended gave up sat on a bench with the picnic, listened to all the kids playing and enjoyed soaking up the sun. 

We did leave Enniscorthy around 2pm stopping in Clonroche for petrol (usually good value) and to use the ATM machine in the village shop. As we journeyed to New Ross we passed by several signs that we could have detoured off to National 1798 Rebellion Centre, Vinegar Hill, Kiltrea Pottery, Quad Attack.

I did stop at the road side so the kids could have a really good look at the stainless steel public art sculpture of a tree, the impressive “The last oak” by Denis O’Connor. The ‘tree’ measures 6 metres high and 5 metres at its widest point. Members of the community and local school children produced designs for the leaves of the tree. Located in Ballymackesy, near Clonroche on the N30 (New Ross to Enniscorthy).  Commissioned as part of the Phase II: 2004 - 2006, Per Cent for Art Scheme by Wexford County Council.
This is my second favourite public roadside sculpture in County Wexford. I think its striking, dramatic and visual interesting. The kids had fun walking around it pointing out the unusual things in the branches. We palyed a game of ’whats the weirdest thing in the tree?’ 

We eventually got to New Ross at 2.30 and tried to find the playground. Traffic can be an issue in New Ross. We passed by the Dunbrody Famine Ship and the tourist office on the Quays not part of our visit schedule ( we had all been to the Dunbrody Famine Ship before and agreed it was well worth a visit). We drove on by Lidil and the petrol station and turned into the tiny car park which was full. The options for parking the car seem to be the car park at Lidil or continue on past the Park where the playground is and take the next left on to Bellevue Heights road, passing the New Ross Gardai Station, go down to the next left hand turn on Henry Street into the small car park beside the playground.

New Ross Playground

The New Ross playground equipment could do with updating, the kids did like the semi-circle monkey bars.  However the park where the playground is situated has a lot going for it; a much larger park offering a basket ball court, tennis courts, fenced tots and small children’s playground, children’s fixed equipment dated and not well cared for, football area, toilet block, and small running/walking circuit (the Dunbrody festival was held there last year). The kids were not impressed and there were requests to leave - thankfully our friends arrived and saved the day with a football. There is space to cycle bikes around as the two younger ones were egar to explore however they were stopped by two dog walkers who told them to stop cycling around. After a tin of homemade brownies was raided and football was played we decided to head back to Mags house for a cuppa. She showed me where the Adventure Play Barn has moved to and we had a quick peek in - they do great parent and toddler sessions. I really enjoyed that cup of tea - thanks Mags. The kids all had a play of the Wii and then back into the car for the trip home. It was dark already and I debated a trip down the Newline Road to Wexford Town rather than back through Enniscorthy.

Up to Tesco for some good value fuel and then back home via Enniscorthy. We stopped at a chippers in Enniscorthy “The Coachhouse” up the top of the town, Memagh Street, the kids got burgers and chips and a little toy plus a drink for under a fiver, the chips were good. Then back home and the hustle and bustle of getting them all to bed.

On Saturday my eldest son of 11 years declared the Enniscorthy Promenade Playground worthy of Mykidstime publication - high praise indeed from my almost teenager!

At about 4.20pm I walked outside the house to play with our youngest. The builder working on the wall across the road mentioned to me that a Whale had been washed up on Morriscastle Strand in Kilmuckridge. It’s about six miles from where we live so everyone piled in the car to go and investigate. I did have mixed feelings we were going to see a dead animal and how would such a large dead animal effect the kids?

As we got to the beach we meet two farmers coming down from the strand. They told us to go right and it was just past the small river. So the Whale carcass is about a half a mile to the right from the entrance to the beach. A hardy walk for small kids in this weather. Gloves, hats and coats a must.

As we turned right on to the beach there were very few people there. I could see that the whale was an odd colour - this was due to the fact it had been dead for a while and all the outer layer of skin was gone as was its head.

They think it was a Fin Whale. On the beach three gentlemen who looked officious arrived I queried them what would happen to the whale. They are deciding whether to burry it OR to render it and preserve the bones for local interest. However the IWDG (Irish Whale Dolphin Group) state that it will be buried this Friday.

Kids are funny, mine took a look at the Whale and then went to the river where they played until I was finished looking around. A very cold walk back down the beach. Lots of cuttlefish strewn on the beach, my nearly seven year old collected some to take to school tomorrow. He felt it was really great that we had seen the whale and he’d get to take something interesting to school tomorrow.

The fin whale, Read more »

This morning we awoke to lightening and hailstones that took nearly an hour to melt. During the madness of getting ready to go to school; which looks like this in our house cereal and lunchboxes, “can I play the Wii” to coats and “where’s my school bag?” to “get in the the car, where is your coat?… get in the car”, well during all that I wondered how bad the weather would get and if I should keep the kids at home I dismissed this idea after all we live a mile from the sea and in the Southeast, we never get snow.

By lunchtime we had only a quick flurry of snow mixed with hail and a text message from the school to collect the kids. I laughed wondering what all the panic was. So I got in the car and headed for Gorey before going a mile I was meet with a bank of snowy billowing whirly flakes, the closer I got to Gorey the more I could see what the problem was. The roads were dangerous and slippery. I collected the kids and had a small snow fight with the younger two (nearly 7 and 5 years old) - I thought it was the least I could do considering that home was clear of anything that might be considered snow. I meet some other parents from Clogh who said they had a lot of snow!

 So we left Gorey in its cloak of snow and headed out the Ballycanew road which was wet and soggy. A quick grocery stop  and then down home where it was disappointingly not white. The kids were given an hour chill time which usually means they veg infront of the TV or play games (wii, computer and previously playstation). Then I had warned them we were walking the dog. So after being home for an hour I realised it was freezing out and they need other distractions. Much later we noticed it was hailing which turned to snowing. A phone rang a few times and I had to excuse myself off the phone as our eldest was pelting snow off the windows and I was concerned the youngest would go out side in a t-shirt!

So out we all went coats (this is a miracle my 3 boys are allergic to coats) and gloves all wrapped up. The snow was so light and feathery it made the best snow balls. I have never seen it snow in Ireland the way it did for over an hour. Big flakes of snow (the size of a generous lump of butter or a large stamp) wafting down, thick heavy and fast. Darkening the sky and enthralling us. After an hour the hailstones interspersed with the snow in a steady downpour. A huge black storm front moved in from the Southeast and fork lightening light the sky shooting sparks. The youngest was really scared and stuck close by. None of us wanted to go in the house being out in the snow was so much fun.

After rolling the snowballs around for another hour they were the girth of a good sized snow man. Cold hungry and awaiting the Dad’s return the kids resorted to shoving snow around with ride on diggers and the skateboard ramp (an excellent tool for clearing drive ways).

Hours later the kids are in bed asleep, happy and tired the tracks of fun in the snow are covered up the half made snowmen await completion, we expect more snow. We’re looking forward to it!

Well wintery Spring. I was so looking forward to going to the Wexford Wild Fowl Reserve yesterday. So full of good intentions at 11 o clock I was ready to set of for the half hour drive down to Ardcavan. I was met with such resistance from my children that it stoped me in my tracks (more of that in MyChat). It was only a week ago that I had stood in the driping pouring rain in Craanford at the Vintage Run while they all sat in the car. So instead we stayed put - colouring pencils, paint and colouring books were unearthed and a busy trio were to be found at the kitchen table. Our eldest was working on a poster for school. By lunchtime I was resigned to walking the dog somewhere local.

We headed up to Kilanerin Woods (the turn opposite the berry farm on the old Inch - Gorey  rd about a mile up on the left). This woods has two trails, a short or long walk. We’ve only ever done the short walk which is a good lenght to be enjoyable, it is well suited for small kids and reluctant walkers. Kilanerin Woods is an open forest, the trail is flat and in better weather is good for buggies and bikes. We did encounter a motorcross bike and there was heavy evidence of horses using the trail. Its was extremely mucky. There were some large deep puddles and fast running water so small children could not be let wander too far off the beaten track. In the summer my kids have paddled and played happily in the stream .  We all enjoyed the walk and so did Lia our dog.

Sunday 25 January 2009
There it was the big decision on Sunday the Lenister Ruby Match in a pub with friends in Ashford or the Craanford Vintage Run? In hindsight it was an easy decision but on the day…

As you might remember it was a lovely sunny morning, well it was where we live! A crisp fresh brightness stirred us into action yet after several attempts the kids were still not dressed. The debate over what to do had been won and lost on the strength of tractors outdoors vs. an hour in the car to watch Rugby indoors in a pub albeit with friends! As we left the house at midday and began the 16 mile drive to Craanford it started to rain. Yet I still directed us up to the monument in Gorey and out the Carnew Road to Craanford.

It was not that soft rain but torrential rain.

As we approached Craanford I could see the field full of tractors and muck.  We drove up to the field where the vintage vehicles were assembled, what a sight. But there was no way any of us were getting out of the car. So we turned around and headed back down the road, parking at the new butchers (I hear good things about the new craft butchers and he seemed to be having a January sale of meat which looked like excellent value).

I decided I would go up the road and see what was going on, hearing the pipe band starting I returned to stand close to the car, none of the children would leave the car they sat inside with the windows half open. Vintage trucks lovingly restored and kept in pristine condition trundled down the road these were followed by vintage cars including a Corvette, Trans Am, Morris Minor, Rolls Royce, Fiat, Ford Capri’s and even a Renault 4 (haven’t seen one of them in years). The tractors came then in spits and spurts some of them really whizzed by making it impossible to get any sort of a decent photo.

Some of the tractors were so basic, hunks of metal, a bucket seat, four wheels, a large steering wheel, metal rods and a couple of wires! My other half reminded the kids that when these tractors were out working in the field in their hay-day they had no cabs and worked in all weather. On a day like Sunday that really hit home how a farmers is a farmer hail, shine, sleet or snow. Such a cheerful bunch driving those tractors down the road in horrendous conditions.

Well done to the Craanford Vintage Road Run participants and organisers for getting out there on such an awful day and doing their bit to raise money for the North Wexford Hospice. They drove to Gorey then on to Camolin where they looped back to Crannford, I understand the trucks and cars went on to Bunclody. 

Needless to say we did not wait for the full run to pass by, I got back into the car about halfway through. My coat is still drying out. Although car bound the kids enjoyed it, all sorts of questions were raised about speed, design and age of vehicles, we all agreed the car with the chicken sounding horn was funny. We enjoyed a run into Gorey behind some of the tractors, ducked down a back street only to reconnect with the Tractor Run on the Main St., an amazing sight to see all these tractors trundling along Esmonde St.

So mental note for next year start off earlier bring welly boots, extra waterproofs, large umbrella and a picnic!