The rooks were flying above us—a dozen or more. The first scouts had arrived at the rookery. Each had a twig or a bit of moss in his mouth. The din they made was deafening.
“Quite the caw-cophony,” I said to Sara.
She rolled her eyes; she’s well used to me I suppose.
We were just past the old lady’s cottage at the end of our lane, where the tall trees loom over her stone shed. The trees are topped with twenty or thirty untidy nests. The scouts gather each year in late winter ahead of the fledging season to repair the nests before the rest of the flock arrives. In a few weeks, dozens of pairs will be in the rookery awaiting the new chicks.
The noise of their cawing was unrelenting.
It was St. Brigid’s Day, February 1, traditionally the first day of Spring in Ireland. Clear and cold. We hurried past the rookery, eager to get home to our fire.
“It doesn’t feel like Spring, does it?” I said. “But I suppose the rooks know more than we do. Let’s get home. I have a few chores to do, then we can settle into our own little nest.”
As we walked back down the lane, robins hopped along the pavement in front of us and wrens darted in and out of the hedgerows. But there were no primroses peeking out.
I took advantage of the clear day to screen my compost pile and deposit the dark rich humus in the garden. In a few weeks I will work it into the bed and prepare the soil for planting. I shivered as I worked.
Will Spring really come? I thought as I shoveled.
I carried a few armloads of wood into the house to fill the timber basket in the lounge to feed our stove. We get our timber that keeps us warm all winter —seasoned ash and hickory—from Thomas down the road. It looks like we’ll need one more load this year, I thought as I reached to the bottom of the bag. I’ll text Thomas this week.
My final chore is to straighten up the shed—stacking the boxes of Christmas decorations, splitting some timber for kindling, moving the peat briquettes back into the corner, and sweeping the floor. As I worked, I watched our resident blackbirds hopping across the fresh humus tugging on worms and scratching for insects. I hoped they would reward us later in the day with a song.
Back in the house, I lit the fire and settled into my chair.
The next day was colder still, and cloudy.
The Met Éireann forecast was typical for this time of year:
“Cloudy,” it read, “with high temperatures of 7 °C to 9 °C. There may be periods of heavy rain, hail, and sleet with occasional sunny spells, and fresh to gusty winds with intermittent gales.” That about covers all the bases, I thought.
I decided to take my walk through the “forestry that is no longer a forestry,” as the locals call it. Just past the three bungalows down the lane there is a gate. I let myself through it and closed it carefully behind me. The path follows a rutted bohereen through meadows and paddocks and bits of uncut pine that stretch from our lane almost to the long road that runs between the townlands Gallain and Barra, north of Mullenaglemig. Part of it follows a fast rushing stream with watercress hugging the banks. I pause to listen to the roar of the water and admire the bright green of the cress. There are no houses in sight or animals in the fields. It’s a good walk for thinking.
As I walked, the wind blew and rain began to fall. Then hail pelted me, stinging my face. To the north, the mountains—Cnoc Bhaile Uí Shé and the Brandon Range behind it—were covered in new snow. I zipped my waxed cotton jacket tighter around my throat and said a prayer of thanks that I had pulled on my waterproof trousers before setting out.
Will I ever be warm again? I thought as I trudged along.
But the blackbirds sang last night, I told myself. They know.
A Beatles song ran through my head:
“Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise”
In the distance, in the trees behind the old lady’s shed, beyond the “forestry that is no longer a forestry,” I heard the rooks cawing as they prepared their nests for the arrival of new chicks. They know.
I walked down the long straight bohereen that leads to the road to Thomas’s farm. Tall pines on either side shelter the bohereen and me. Clumps of daffodils were just starting to poke their heads above the grass.
Be patient, I told myself. Wait for the moment. Spring will come. Spring will come.
I reached the gate, closed it behind me, and turned down the lane for home and a warm fire.
Mullenaglemig Diary 
Lovely reading as always Jim and I felt I was walking those well known routes with you. I can so clearly see the Forestry walk in my minds eye. Your description of the birds and their calling made me realise, we never truly walk alone as nature is always around us somewhere, even in built up areas. We just have to look for it as you do xx
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I love that walk through the old forestry. We made lamb shanks, my favorite comfort food, today for our Sunday roast to share with Lynne. We miss you and Mark so much.
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Hi This was lovely and the daffodil photo was inspiring that one day that spring will come for all of us. We miss you. Chris and Dan
Sent from Chris’ iPhone
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Chris and Dan, we miss you both so much. A friend brought us daffodils from her garden today and we handed her dinner—lamb shanks, mash, carrots, and steamed cabbage througH tHe back door. Soon.
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Beautiful…..makes us miss you only more….. Sending love and spring thoughts. A year ago……sigh Margie
The Table Makers Will Always Overcome the Wall Builders
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Today was a beautiful day—warm and sun-filled. We can’t wait to see your faces on Zoom.
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What a lovely reminder for all of us that nature and her off-spring know so much more than we do. However, we miss you and Sara more than we miss spring. Sending biggest hugs to both. Chris
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Oh, Chris, we miss our friends so much. Much our time is spent on our couch in the lounge. We are still restricted to 5 km of our home. Today was a bright, sun filled day, so that helped. We miss you and Jorge, our friends, and family. Soon.
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It was so nice to get your letter. I’ve been thinking it was time to hear from you. Glad to know you are waiting for Spring, same here. We have clumps of daffodils showing in our yard as well. Yesterday afternoon, two deer came for a visit. They ate the apple Peter put out for them and then hung around grooming each other. Warm wishes, Rita and Peter
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I am so desperate to return to my home away from home. I actually like my Irish home and friends better than my home here.
How’s it looking for you getting the jabs? Doug got his second two days ago. I get my second next Monday.
Our current plan to visit is mid-May thru June. That is if we’re allowed to enter the country.
Has your little doggie recovered from surgery?
Hello to Sara.
Jane
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Hi Jane, I sent you a reply by email. If you don’t see, check your spam folder.
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You really do bring everything to life. when you mentioned zipping up your jacket against the weather, I actually reached up and pulled the collar of my waist coat closed, then laughed at myself at what I’d done.
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That is the best comment ever!
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Hi Jim & Sara, we hope for Spring for you too. We have hopes for Spring today. It is 52 degrees here. We are driving to Aimee & Rich’s on beautiful clear roads. The sun is shining! I really enjoyed your walk through the forest, Jim. We hope to see you and Sara this year. Take care, Marilyn & Greg
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Hi Marilyn, the last few days have been glorious here, so Spring does come, just not on our schedule. We plan to be home later this year.
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This is exactly how I felt all week.The plants-are beginning to show leaves yet winter is still in the air, with hints of spring, you know how NM is. We are itching to hit the trails, group to the mountains and sit by the stream. There is a new bread shop in town called The bread shop. They use an Irish recipe and method of baking, it is soooo yummmy. I get a loaf every week just about, makes the best French toast. We miss seeing you, Sara and Lucy. Redo is 8 years old and still is that puppy spirit. Love to you and Sara, Lucy too.
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Spring came on the very day I posted this; it’s been a glorious week. We can’t wait to see you both. Lucy still has her rambunctious personality, but her leaping ability has slowed since her knee surgery.
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