Costa / Cork

it drives my wife nuts after a while

best if they merge with the landscape rather than stick out like a sore thumb... seen some 2 storey monstrosities that look so out of place next to the neighbouring houses too

I have to say I'm not a big fan of this look. I like the large glass spaces but not the rectangular brick look

good to know #slowliving #bread

Nuff said

The orange dementoid is at it again...

for sure. its one of the main reasons I want to divide my time between here and Spain. You'd miss the blue skies here over the winter

'It's a piece of heaven, isn't it?': A West Cork rainforest and the mission to rewild it When we talk of rainforests, our default is to think of the tropical, the exotic. Towering trees that draw the eyes to the sky, unfamiliar sounds, overpowering heat. Yet, like an open secret, Ireland too has its native rainforests. Just like the tropics, these rare habitats are abundant and alive, deep with leaves, mosses, and undergrowth fuelled by rainfall and mild temperatures. Wandering through the grounds of Dromgarriff Rainforest, on the outskirts of Glengarriff, we feel the magic of this ancient landscape. Beneath a rich, dripping canopy of leaves and ferns, the ground below us is soft. Everything is damp, moss-laden, lush. While tropical rainforests lure the eye overhead to take in their vast scale, here the focus is on the immediate — what’s right in front of you. You’re drawn to the textures, the detail, the depth. Ancient oaks are coated in moss, ferns, and lichens. The air feels soft and wet, like a rainforest anywhere else in the world. The stillness encompasses you. The canopy keeps us dry, yet we are aware of our feet squelching through the sodden forest floor. It is calm, still, meditative. We feel part of this strange landscape. Dromgarriff, Co. Cork. Photo: Bríd...

'It's a piece of heaven, isn't it?': A West Cork rainforest and the mission to rewild it
->Irish Examiner | More on "Irish rainforest rewilding West Cork" at BigEarthData.ai | #Rewild #Rainforest

the weather is surprisingly similar today. its cooler than usual in VP today. Mind you, Feb is one of the worst months weather wise there

A side-by-side comparison. On the left, the weather in Macroom, Cork. On the right, the weather in Vera Playa, Almería.

11°C in Cork v 16°C in Vera Playa. Both feel like home. 🇮🇪🇪🇸

6 months til we migrate south. I’ll miss the Irish greenery, but the DIY terrace in Almería is calling. 🛠️☀️

The beauty of the 6/6 split? Nice weather year round & great variety .

#costacork #SlowLiving #PureCork #VeraPlaya #Ireland #Spain

Interesting if true. Our armed forces are woefully inadequate currently

a night shot of a spanish beach bar

Looking forward to visiting some 'chiringuitos' in Vera Playa this autumn. Sardines on the spit... yum yum #veraplaya #photography #slowlife #almeria

AI photo of a dog at an Irish rugby match

C'mon Ireland. AI doggo cheering on the team! Great first half so far #irleng #dogsofbluesky #irishsky

Absolutely insane story about a middle-aged woman from Hertfordshire who got arrested, shackled, and detained by ICE and held in a prison for eight weeks.... while on holiday... with a valid tourist visa... as she tried to leave the country.

I spent 30 years in IT, most of it ruled by an inbox/calendar. Now, I’m just ‘a guy with muddy boots.’ 🥾🌿

Now, my inbox and calendar are much quieter - so much so I've caught myself wondering if something is broken. Nope, its just peace.

#costacork #SlowLiving #FIRE #Ireland #Retirement #PureCork

One thing I won't be taking is an alarm clock!

Thinking ahead for the Sept move. Packing for Almería isn't what you think. 🇪🇸✈️

3 things I'm taking:

- Woolen sweater: Feb nights are chilly ❄️

- coffee maker: no brainer ☕

- Tools: there's jobs to be done 🧰

Its not all sun, sea and sangria 🌞 🌊 🍷

#costacork #VeraPlaya #SlowLiving #Ireland #Spain

something tells me Brad Pitt will be shown on socials in every bar, cafe and restaurant in the country thanks to AI.

Being both a hiring manager and beagle owner, this is doubly funny

stranger here... but 100% agree re facebook. its totally unfit for purpose now and only good to keep in touch with family. for now bluesky is ok and long may that continue. x is just a cesspit

a close up of a bunch of snowdrops glistening with raindrops

Close-up of delicate white Cherry Plum flowers with water droplets on the pink buds and petals, blooming on a dark, wet branch.

A detailed view of a tree branch covered in various lichens, including bushy grey-green Oakmoss and flat, leafy grey Shield lichens.

Friday morning in the garden. 🌿

The Cherry Plum is blooming; the first real sign spring is coming. I’m also saw these bushy lichens; a reminder how clean the air is here. Its great to have time to see the small stuff. ☕️

#FridayFeeling #PureCork #IrishSky #SlowLiving #Spring #Ireland #photography

Currently in Cork as this timeline applies going forward only

moody landscape shot of Kenmare Bay taken from Reenagross Jan 2026

Throwback to last month and a lovely walk through #Reenagross in #Kenmare

#photography #landscape #Ireland #Kerry

A black and white collie dog sitting on a muddy path looking up adoringly at its owner.

Gratuitous doggo pic! She's delighted to be out on her walkies.
#dogs #dogsky #dogsofbluesky

I bet he's sweating now

A side-by-side comparison image. On the left, a real photo of a plain, sunlit rooftop terrace in Spain with tiled floors and simple white walls. On the right, a high-end 3D render of the same space transformed with Moorish touches, flowing white curtains, a DIY pallet sofa with colourful cushions, and warm string lighting.

The "Before" vs. The "Vision." 🇪🇸🛠️

The reality of the Vera Playa terrace vs. the Moorish oasis in my head.

Retirement at 55 isn't just about the view you have; it’s about the one you’re building. Looking forward to the build in Sept. 🍷✨

#costacork #DIY #Andalucia #SlowLiving #Spain #RetirementLife

a few sugar mills would be good too... we should be able to produce basics like these

I know right.... what a place to rest... she was sickly and wanted company I think

White and tan Shih-Tzu resting on a chair leg

I'll see your wood and raise you a metal chair leg

yup... I know it well from experience when my mother was in the Bons in Cork.