What is that cold, wet stuff falling from the clouds? What is this chill I feel? And where has the sun gone? After weeks of lovely weather in May, it’s as if I’ve never known a rainy, grey day. Thirty years of living in West Cork, and all it takes is a few weeks of ‘summer’ to forget that the Costa del Cork is not the Costa del Sol. In fairness, West Cork is so brilliant when the sun is shining that it’s easy to be blinded. Then you wake up one chilly morning in the dull grey light to the sound of dripping water, and the smell of petrichor and the spell is broken.
Still, we did have a good run of it. And apparently there’s more to come. The rumour is that the good weather will be back. Here’s hoping. I had a look, and the long-term forecast for June is pretty good. Even yer man from #carlow weather is cautiously optimistic. Sunshine and mostly dry – with regular showers but nothing major. The temperatures are still a bit low for my liking. I love me a good heat wave. I was born in Spain and feel like a contented lizard when the temperature gets above 25C. To be perfectly honest my favourite is probably 30C and a sea breeze.
There is so much to look forward to in the next three months. June, July and August are the top three months in my book. I know that some love the Autumn, and one can’t deny the joys of Spring, but Summer is where it’s at. The long days and gorgeous evenings stretching into a short night are delightful – especially if the weather is good and you can get out to enjoy it.
As every year, I’m looking forward to the many festivals and events taking place around West Cork. I was travelling and so missed the opportunity to go to the Fastnet Film festival in Schull. It would have been fun to swan around with so many Hollywood stars. Mind you, West Cork has always attracted famous stars who appreciate not only the landscape, and craic agus ceol, but also the fact that they are largely not bothered by the local population and can just get on with their lives. I appreciate the fact that celebrities want to be left in peace when they shop, but I’ll confess that it does give me a giggle to see a picture of Paul Mescal in my local Supervalu! Who knew that Ballydehob would become internationally trendy?
Two of my favourite summer events take place in June: the Agricultural Show and the Clonakilty Street Festival. The Ag Show is everything a summer festival should be and more. From little kids to grannies, there is something for everyone – from prize chickens to prize scones, from monster tractors to pony and traps, and from full lunches to chipper food. I love checking out the competition winners. The devil has no place in the exhibits of what ‘busy hands’ can create. I love the breads, crochet, jams and flower arrangements. My favourite category is the “Best decorated wooden spoon”, with ‘Carved decorated fruit’ and ‘Best tea tray’ coming a close second. The mad fancy chickens make me laugh, and the cattle judging has become a livestock version of a makeover Glow-up show, with cattle being groomed, blow dried and enhanced with glitter pomade. I swear one year they’ll be using eyeliner and mascara to give the bullocks and heifers that sultry eye so loved by supermodels. The Ag Show is loud and messy, interesting and silly, has both a music stage and the Merries. What more could you cram into one day? If the sun is shining, it’s a perfect day out.
Talking about perfect days out when the sun is shining, few festivals can compete with the Clonakilty Street Festival. What could be finer than to close down the main street to enjoy a lovely late lunch with the entire town. The long tables, the bunting, the music and children’s games compete for attention, and I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be. As long as it’s not cold, wet, and windy.
So, as every start of June, I live in hope. It will be sunny. It will be warm, and we’ll be able to enjoy each other’s company surrounded by everything that makes West Cork such a great place to live. And if June is a washout, there’s always July and August to look forward to.
