A few weeks ago we headed up to County Fermanagh to do a bit of housesitting, except this was no ordinary house. The family that live here built the house themselves and it is completely “Off Grid” so there is no electricity, no gas and no running water. They also have animals: chickens, geese, ducks, goats, dogs, cats and a couple of ponies. So this was a little bit different from how we would normally live but Matt and I jumped at the chance to unplug and get away from it all. I admit I was a little nervous to be responsible for this house and all those animals but it was actually a very laid back easy few days.
Eve loved feeding the chickens and the ducks, she’s always been fascinated with animals so she had no fear at all and jumped right in. Boomie the big Bull Mastiff became her best friend.
The house is so beautiful and cosy, we drew water from the well outside and heated it on a big stove to wash. The loo is a compost toilet outside and it was probably the source of most concern for me when we agreed to go. It was in fact very clean and not in the least bit smelly. Steve Flynn from the Happy Pear was with us too and he laid on the most delicious meals every night, we spent most of the afternoon preparing and cooking our big meal with all natural, fresh ingredients. It was a proper event. Then when the sun went down we’d light candles and read or chat until bedtime.
When the time came to go it was a wrench to leave. For all that I enjoy technology and the internet and everything that comes with the modern world, I’m more than happy to leave it if I can. In fact, tomorrow we’re going camping in Northern Ireland for ten days. I have no idea if I’ll have any access to the internet to update this blog. I can’t wait to just unplug and go sit in a field!
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Looks like a great place to escape for a few days! Looks lovely, what part of Fermanagh is it in?
It’s a beautiful part of the country alright. It’s quite remote but it’s roughly between Maguiresbridge and Enniskillan.
I wonder what it would be like in the winter? Looks great now.
The photos are excellent – the top one fantastic. Depth, movement, darkness, and enormous detail everywhere I look!
Looks idyllic in your photos, peace & quite – I can see the attraction.
Sounds like you enjoyed your break.
Hey, shouldn’t you have been photographing that with a wooden sheet loaded film camera & big black blanket over your head?
(I’ve done that in Tollymore Forest Park!)
Absolutely smashing pictures, as Alan said, especially the first one. Stunning.
Very cool!
Love it Claire! Very jelous at the photo opps!
I hope you don’t mind, but I would quite like to use the photo of the blue door as my desktop, it, along with your others are absolutely womderful.
Thanks everyone. @Stephen, I don’t mind at all, I’m glad you like it
Hi, I was given a link to your site for your photo template post (which is very useful by the way so thank you!) & had a wander around & I really like your work especially these photos of the house & the ones of your daughter wearing the huge glasses
They’re brilliant photos & I thought the specs were looking pretty cool so I’ve put them up on my blog which I hope is ok:
http://laurengentry.blogspot.com/2009/07/pick-mix-1907.html
Lovely stuff as always Claire. This shoot reminds me of our stays in the Kerry mountains with Boru and Eithne. The same array of home grown vegetables and a veritable farm of animals (they breed veritables there you know).