“Walking is a man’s best medicine.”
Hippocrates
A New Year Walk on Carrickfin Beach
It was a very mild but very wet Christmas! I missed walking, so I was delighted when Carrickfin Beach beckoned me on a beautiful sunny but frosty day.
The beach was almost deserted, as I admired the frost on the sand dunes and seaweed – a rare delight.
I reflected on the past year and my writing progress.
Taking an extended break over Christmas has allowed me to pause and ponder on the way forward for 2018.
“The more sand that has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should see through it.”
Jean Paul
It feels good to stand back and enjoy the view…
After my beach walk, I made my way back to my car past icy puddles, knowing that this time shall soon pass, and the flow of life will continue…
Dear friends, at the beginning of a New Year full of endless possibilities:
“May the blessing of soft rain be on you,
Falling gently on your head refreshing your soul,
With the sweetness of little flowers newly blooming.
May the strength of the winds of Heaven bless you,
Carrying the rain to wash your spirit clean,
Sparkling after the sunlight.
May the blessing of God’s earth be on you,
And as you walk the roads,
May you always have a kind word for those you meet.”
Traditional Irish Blessing
Brigid P. Gallagher is a retired natural medicines therapist, passionate organic gardener and author of “Watching the Daisies- Life lessons on the Importance of Slow,” a holistic memoir dedicated to the art of mindfulness and healing from debilitating illness.
And the blessings of peace and health be upon you too Brigid
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Denzil. I love your new blog. 🌼
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Brigid. Did you get an email from me? I got an error message back.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have it. It is an interesting topic not often discussed. I will get back to you on it. 🌼
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great. No rush. Just checking safe receipt
LikeLike
Loved the pictures you’ve posted. Congratulations on the reviews on your book and I hope you keep writing. Also, I loved the quote about sand in the hourglass of life… 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. I am thrilled with my reviews. It is the icing on the cake. 🌼
LikeLike
Brigid THANKS for the New Year Greetings.
Congrats on your reviews.
Inspiring ate your lines.
🎶💞🌷
Shiva
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Shiva. Wishing you and your family a wonderful 2018. 🌼
LikeLike
Thanks again wishing you and family too. 2018.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a lovely walk with you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Arlene. It was so good to get outside in sunshine. 🌼
LikeLiked by 1 person
2017 was a busy and successful year for you and the hard work you have put in is, rightly reaping rewards. Standing back from the situation to take stock and calmly measure what one wants is essential at such times and the start of the year almost demands it, if one has the willingness to slow down 😉 The pictures of a frosted coastline are stunning and your reminder that soon enough we will be waking to spring timely as we face the depth of winter with no festivities to buffer us. Peace and contentment above all things to you and continued control of your health. 🌺
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Osyth. The break has definitely given me a fresh perspective. I am not sure what lies ahead but it feels good to have gotten this far. I shall be catching up with your posts soon and look forward to your news. 🌼
LikeLiked by 1 person
Take your time …. you aren’t breaking any laws and it’s simply a pleasure to see you when you do appear!
LikeLike
Beautiful photos, Brigid! I’m glad you had a nice day of walking on the beach. Happy New Year to you and many blessings in your new year!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Miriam. It was so very good to get outside. I have been pottering in the garden a little too. 🌼
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh good, I haven’t done that yet. Hope will do it soon!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What an inspiring walk, certainly makes the soul feel peace and serenity. Many blessings to you in 2018
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Lisa. It was so good to get outside after all the rain!
LikeLike
Oh, how I miss walking outside. It has been too cold and snowy for me to get outside. Congratulations on the success of your book. It is on my kindle awaiting a read. A New Year’s blessing to you, Brigid!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Molly. I was glad to get out in the sunshine. December was VERY wet! I so hope you enjoy my book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sunshine is good. I’ve exposed my eyeballs to rays a couple of times in the past two weeks. I know I’ll love your book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLike
There is a time for everything under the sun and this is your time to reap the pleasure of having sewn such a wonderful book.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Bernadette. It feels good not to rush into another book. I am just enjoying looking the moment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome back Brigid! I hope you had a lovely holiday season. This blessing is so beautiful – I think I’m going to print it out and hang it where I can see it. I’m glad you had some time for quiet contemplation, and as always, your photos of your walk are stunning. All the best for this upcoming year!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Terri. It is lovely to be back. I soo enjoyed the rest. I shall pop over to you now…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Head bowed, arms outstretched – I gladly accept the blessing re-intoned by yourself, an Irishwoman extraordinaire.
😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bless you Laura. 🌼🌼🌼
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful pictures. The hourglass quote is so meaningful……Happy New Year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. I love taking photographs. 😊
LikeLike
And blessings to you in the new year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. 🌼
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was undecided about taking a walk today (I’ve been “under the weather” for the past week or so, but your post convinced me to go. I am envious of the wide-open vistas you share in your photos; they invite reflection and offer calm. I’ll go to our nearby park and enjoy a more limited, but usually refreshing landscape. Thanks for you New Year’s inspiration.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope it gives you a boost Barbara. I had cabin fever over Christmas with all the rain. It was such a boost to get outside. 🌼
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing lovely pictures with heart-felt wishes Brigid. Stay blessed and keep inspiring. Love and hugs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Balroop. It is lively to be back among my blog friends. 🌼
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was so nice to see a post from you pop up on my reader. Congratulations on such success of your book. You deserve to just get to set back and enjoy. Beautiful photos especially for a landlocked Mid-Westerner. Happy New Year and to a wonderful 2018!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Terri. I had such a lovely break and feel much better for it. I shall pop over to you next. 🌼
LikeLike
Happy new Brigid, this a lovely heart warming blessings. Sounds like you had a good break. Also your book is libraries how cool.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Bella. It was so good to stop and really rest. 🌼
LikeLiked by 1 person
I understand, i was ill during my break, but nevertheless it did the trick having a break. P.s. i am so happy for you that the book is doing well and i just that it is libraries -that is just fab.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. A good few Irish libraries placed orders so I am thrilled. I am putting it in an international library catalogue soon. It felt great to be accepted. 🌼
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a journey, so wonderful
LikeLiked by 1 person
a very lovely walk and I am sure something so treasured after a long time being indoors. I love the photos and landscape, I felt so free just looking at them. happy new year Brigid, love and light to you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Gina. It was so good to get outside. It is staying sunny so I shall be outdoors again today. 🌼
LikeLiked by 1 person
I enjoyed your post and photos. Loved this line, “The more sand that has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should see through it.” So true! Now that you’ve ‘Watched the Daisies’ take some down time and ‘Smell the Roses’. Have a great year in 2018. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Debbie. The quote appeared “out of the blue. ” I am looking to buy a new climbing rose called The Generous Gardener.😊
LikeLike
Firstly Brigid Happy New Year. Secondly: Congratulations on your book. It is well deserved. This is a lovely post. Really enjoyed it Pxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Paul. May 2018 be a year full of blessings for you. x
LikeLiked by 1 person
And I forgot to say the Irish blessing is such a lovely thought. PX
LikeLiked by 3 people
I just had to include it…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brigid, I need to get some work finished and then I”l drop you a line PXX
LikeLike
such a peaceful and soothing read….welcome back:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Jen. It was great to step back awhile and reassess life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Kim.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s always good to just stand back and enjoy the view… and what a wonderful view you have! Beautiful photos! Congratulations on the success of your book. Do take time to bask in your accomplishments; you deserve it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. It is indeed nice to stand back. 🌼🌼🌼
LikeLike
What a beautiful blessing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. I am glad you like it. It fits in with the weather theme. 🌼
LikeLiked by 1 person
A delightful post, Brigid. The beach looks lovely and peaceful and the frost is very pretty.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Robbie. It is rare to see frost on the beach so I had to include a photograph.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brigid, what a beautiful walk and I feel peaceful reading your post. Wow!! Congratulations on such a large number of reviews, that is fantastic and don’t fret about writing another book yet…you have been so busy with this one. Inspiration will come when the time is right. Finally I love the poem and it’s message…thank you for sharing here. ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Its funny the day after this was posted the title for another book just popped into my head… 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
…but you’re keeping it to yourself for now?! 😀😀 So Happy for Brigid! Happy writing! 😀
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing, beautiful words and photos nothing quite like a walk in peace without so many people.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agreed. Sadly its back to rain here…
LikeLike
What a peaceful post to wander through…your lovely words & photos made it seem I was walking there beside you…this post is filled with healing energy, Brigid, thank you for sharing your gifts with us!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure. I procrastinated over my first post of the year. After my walk it all flowed…🌼
LikeLiked by 1 person
Don’t you love it when that happens?
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a lovely scene Brigid! Yes you deserve a good long break after your book being published! Quite an accomplishment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. I am glad the hard work is done…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes I am sure
LikeLiked by 1 person
(playing catch-up because of having some time off over Christmas and the New Year . . . )…
Having some time to step back away from everything which normally would fill your time, is a great thing to do Brigid, for it allows your heart, soul and mind to just ‘be’. It gives you chance to assess and find your gratitude surging forth and filling you with the joy that only taking time out can find for you.
Bless you Brigid, for everything you are and everything you do. You’re such a truly fabulous person.
I’m thrilled to see you back, and wish you a blessed and very happy New Year.
Sending much love ~ Cobs. x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Cobs. Thank you so much. I feel blessed to be your blog friend. Everything has taken on a different hue after my break. Who knows what is ahead of us…xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing. It looks a lovely place. Best wishes for 2018!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Stevie. I am still catching up…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a lovely post, Brigid! The scenery in your photos is so beautiful and I love the Irish blessing. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Steph. The scenery is indeed spectacular. Today we have a little fall of snow. x
LikeLiked by 1 person
We received more snow on top of what we already had and this morning there was about a foot of the stuff out there. It’s funny because my crazy dog just barrels through it like a bulldozer.
LikeLike
Beautiful Blessing Brigid! And I’m so glad your book is being read and appreciated!! And also– lovely to have the gorgeous stretch of beach all to yourself for the walk. A lovely way to start the year… Glad you are well. xox
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Rhonda. I am finally getting caught up after my break. It takes a while to visit all my blog friends. X
LikeLike
I know Brigid. You have so so many followers commenting up and down your blog. I don’t know how you find time to keep up! Always love to hear from you Blog-friend! xox
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh I love that Irish Blessing!! Great shot of the mountains in the background too…all snow covered on the top! Yes I think you have the right idea of enjoying the view for a while right now…another book will come its way soon enough!! xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Deb. It is nice just to stop and breathe awhile. X
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahhhhh….yes! xo 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very peaceful Brigid! I love that Irish blessing 😀
Bless you,
Jennifer
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is a terrific beach to walk year round Jennifer but I like to sit in a secret cove. Hoping to go there this week as the weather is going to be nice and sunny. Happy Easter. x
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love cachès Brigid! Have a lovely time…
Happy Easter to you too 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beauty at its most wonderful and what an awesome place, Brigid. Lovely Irish blessings and the poem is so inspiring. Love and Hugs to you. Thanks for this awesome share.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Kamal. The winter weather creates an all together different atmosphere on the beach. It is getting warmer this weekend coinciding with Easter, so it will get a few more visitors.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome Brigid and yes as soon as the weather is a little better people come out in dozens to enjoy the beach.
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] via The Wild Atlantic Way – A New Year Walk on Carrickfin Beach — Watching the Daisies […]
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing.
LikeLike
Your posts always make me want to hop on a plane to Ireland! 🙂 I saw there will be a writing retreat this June. How I’d love to participate…but cannot. Will you be involved there?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Debbie. I am hoping to go to the Dublin Writers Conference. It was their first conference in June 2015 that set me on the self publishing route. I hope you can come another time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That would really be wonderful! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This was another wonderful walk together, Martha. I can’t believe all the ice! Yikes! I’ll be sad when these walks are over.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t believe I did that–Brigid! My apologies. I have Martha’s AtoZ post up in the next tab… Sigh.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s OK Jacqui. I know the feeling. x
LikeLike
Thank you Jacqui. It is most unusual to have ice on the beach so I had to take a photograph. Thankfully it is warm and sunny now. Happy Easter.
LikeLike
Your blessings really made me feel blessed to live in this earth. So much peace, and respect for fellow humans……I could find in those words. I give back the same to you….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much. That is a lovely start to my day.
LikeLike
Your words and pictures move me beyond words. You always inspire me. Many blessings and hugs to you 💗🌻🐝
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Lisa. I shall be popping over to you later. Looking forward to this month’s collaboration. xx
LikeLike
Looks like a nice beach. I cant believe i missed these post first time round
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Bella. I am heading out to a quiet cove this afternoon with my beach tent.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How nice
LikeLiked by 1 person