"Erin go Bragh"

 

"Erin go Bragh" is the anglicised form of the Irish phrase "Éirinn go Brách", meaning "Ireland Forever". It is a declaration of unwavering patriotism in Ireland, often used to express unity and pride in Irish heritage. The phrase and its associated flag with a gold harp became prominent during the Irish rebellions of the 18th and 19th centuries, serving as a rallying cry for national independence and a symbol for the global Irish diaspora.

Erin, the post-tropical hurricane, has been with us for two days, bringing rain yesterday and lots more rain and wind today. We had 21 mm of rain yesterday. The wind is gusting over 40 knots. It is to calm down tomorrow, but strengthen again over the weekend. Behind Erin is post-tropical cyclone Fernand with sustained winds of 40 knots and gusting 45. That's our weekend agenda. The cyclones are arriving in Ireland more frequently these days. 

I haven't been able to measure the Brix of our grapes or bag the white ones since last weekend. We had quite the week before that. We had a water main break, and Martin was here daily, divining to pinpoint the location of stuff underground and digging to reveal the source of the problem. It appears that the spring we thought we had was a leak that's been draining water since the house was built. That maverick builder spliced the line and used a coin to block one hose end. So the part of our garden that has always been wet may now be dry. Will everything I planted there die off?

I discovered that I am a diviner when Martin suggested I try his metal rods, which can locate underground water. Alex made me a pair with some wire he had. They work! The most fascinating aspect is that as I walk through the vineyard, the rods twist with every pair of vines I pass. Rather eerie. 

We also had Walter the digger driver here removing the donkey poo from the shed and laying stone where the mud was last year. Looks like we got that done just in time. 

The water scheme people did a great job. 

Coming down to the orchard

Connecting the gravel by the shed with the vineyard. 

And inside the donkey shed. 

Addendum: We received an additional 23.9 mm of rain yesterday, the 29th of Aug, and it's raining heavily now! 

PS: We got 16.6 mm of rain on Sat the 30th of Aug.