tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post8839299225219901911..comments2024-03-29T11:52:29.453+00:00Comments on Positive Letters ... inspirational stories ...: Clonakilty and why I missed the moon landings … Hilary Melton-Butcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-61888066234829934292019-08-20T13:36:34.484+01:002019-08-20T13:36:34.484+01:00Thanks Jess ... it was a wonderful get-together .....Thanks Jess ... it was a wonderful get-together ... there's more, but I'm glad I got the evocative racconteur memories across. I'm not even sure if Renny's parent's had tv. But it was a truly memorable time ... especially our trip through the Knockmealdown mountains with its stunning purple flowering of rhododendrons. <br /><br />Yes Romany caravans are just unbelievable ... still entice people into the slow age ... but that ear-piercing was just plain painful! Not nice. Delighted you enjoyed my ramblings - thanks for the catch-up visit - cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-57980218311441529642019-08-19T15:06:11.683+01:002019-08-19T15:06:11.683+01:00It sounds like a wonderful trip with a friend. I l...It sounds like a wonderful trip with a friend. I learned so much in this post and I loved the way we got to experience your trip with you. It makes sense with all the adventures you were having you missed the moon landing! The fields of purple sound and look lovely (from the picture). I think the Romanian caravan looks fabulous!! I can only imagine how the ear piercing may have hurt!<br /><br />Thanks for sharing your long ago adventures with us. :) <br />~JessDMShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04202502753961748992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-79591217028411496082019-08-13T14:08:07.630+01:002019-08-13T14:08:07.630+01:00Hi Christine - I think the joys of youth overtook ...Hi Christine - I think the joys of youth overtook me ... some time with my best friend seemed to be just right and what I needed, even if the moon was being landed upon!<br /><br />A horse whisperer I believe ... and some people definitely have the knack to 'talk to animals' ...<br /><br />Good to see you - cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-26397255472742366382019-08-12T20:25:56.192+01:002019-08-12T20:25:56.192+01:00How wonderful. I'd miss the moon landing for a...How wonderful. I'd miss the moon landing for a trip like that too! I had a friend that very much loved horses as well. She even fancied she could telepathically talk to them at one point! Have a lovely week. :)Christine Rainshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08263694662585963900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-51459140431287256612019-08-12T13:44:12.044+01:002019-08-12T13:44:12.044+01:00@ Rosey - they'd have have to do something ......@ Rosey - they'd have have to do something ... and it's not easy, as one is lying backwards over the huge drop and moving one's face up towards ... the kissing zone. I doubt the mystique, duly promoted, really helps - forty years is a long time to wait!! <br /><br />But can't not agree with you re our childhood friends ... she was certainly different and special ... <br /><br />@ Shannon - it was a good six weeks ... and I've yet to see the moon landing films ... one day! I keep hearing about it though ... <br /><br />@ Madeleine - yes ... one of my motivations is to write interesting content - so I'm glad it's working! Good to see you back ... and it'll be interesting reading more about fibromyalgia ...<br /><br />Cheers to the three of you - thanks for visiting - HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-12209451828103976562019-08-12T12:28:49.807+01:002019-08-12T12:28:49.807+01:00Your posts are so full of interesting information....Your posts are so full of interesting information. How apposite that my first blog post of new blog relates to moon landings. :D https://fibrofug.blogspot.comMadeleine Sarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09621567105355236502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-65311980162918985992019-08-12T07:45:12.614+01:002019-08-12T07:45:12.614+01:00Sounds like a wonderful adventure! They've sho...Sounds like a wonderful adventure! They've shown the moon landing so many times, you didn't really miss it, anyway.Shannon Lawrencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00934641808195675935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-31309303312411432212019-08-11T17:09:21.460+01:002019-08-11T17:09:21.460+01:00A blog friend of mine visited the Blarney Stone la...A blog friend of mine visited the Blarney Stone last year. I think she said they use sanitizer now, but still... yeah, it's icky if you think too hard about it. I've been to Ireland but didn't go visit the stone. Perhaps I should have, in order to gain some mystique. ;) Hurrah for childhood friends who added value to our lives. :)mail4roseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17850985344834209198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-66964413558179390202019-08-11T11:28:45.175+01:002019-08-11T11:28:45.175+01:00@ Elsie - yes I was glad I wrote this up ... it...@ Elsie - yes I was glad I wrote this up ... it's been in my memory bank all those years and was a special time. Sticker bush ... I see is a densely packed plant full of thorns - very nasty! I'm sure it was very uncomfortable ... nasty horse!<br /><br />@ Denise - her Vardo wagon definitely needed some attention - but she was determined to deck it out with gypsy fabric, ideas and materials ... not sure if it got finished! Yes - I still wander off ... one of the advantages of being single ... <br /><br />Thanks to you both - good memories for us all - cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-60920589935022748982019-08-11T01:27:15.103+01:002019-08-11T01:27:15.103+01:00That Vardo wagon looks amazing. What a character y...That Vardo wagon looks amazing. What a character your friend was. And you are still going on adventures. Cheers, Hilary! DeniseM. Denise C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10326139040976625458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-63868737577761369902019-08-09T14:09:40.464+01:002019-08-09T14:09:40.464+01:00I love when things said or seen now can spark fun ...I love when things said or seen now can spark fun memories of the past. It's like a little gift - a surprise. I had a horse back me into a sticker bush one time. That wasn't a ton of fun. <br /><br /><a href="https://helpingpartnersofsexaddictsheal.org/" rel="nofollow">Elsie </a><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-7843108810866178942019-08-09T08:53:06.042+01:002019-08-09T08:53:06.042+01:00@ Lee – I’m sure I was relatively oblivious to the...@ Lee – I’m sure I was relatively oblivious to the moon landing. Horses and I obviously are just not meant to be. Despite being opposites we always got on … independent minds …but as you say – it’s always so much fun and makes life interesting, not following the well-trodden path … <br /><br />@ Liza – it is a very pretty place to visit, with a lot of history over its years … I too would go back more often … <br /><br />@ Janie – I’m glad I tried (twice) – and can always dream I can ride off into the sunset! Dreaming is enough now …<br /><br />@ Lynda – fun memories of those times – there’s another layer to perhaps tell one day … but I would love to revisit the Knockmealdown Mountains in rhododendron time … <br /><br />@ Rhonda – I think I was mostly always busy with something going on. I should have paid more attention to the repeats of the moon landings this summer – but again life was there to be enjoyed and I never got to watch … as you say I can find out when I feel the need … <br /><br />@ Keith – thanks … life is more fun here on earth – though I can understand people wanting to learn about the moon and space … <br /><br />@ Chrys – yes I’m pleased I had that time with Renny … she was fun – way more adventurous than I was … <br /><br />@ Donna – thanks … I’m so glad I went – I guess Renny was there and so it was an opportunity to visit … better than watching tv – and as you say it’s on YouTube now – when I feel the need to watch in depth … <br /><br />@ Mark – oh ok … I’d have had to wait a few years for you!! I’m glad I didn’t wait for you, but was able to enjoy my trip! I’m sure you did watch it back then – possibly slept through it … but yes being with Renny was definitely more interesting and worthwhile … <br /><br />@ Susan – I have lots of happy memories of that six week holiday time; I’m sure for Americans it did make it feel ‘anything was possible’ … <br /><br />@ Dan – yes … it’s quite high up isn’t it – once up the hill getting back on the horse wasn’t an option … I doubt I could have got my leg into the stirrup … let alone the hoik up! Glad you agree with me … <br /><br />@ Michael – yes this six week trip had lots of things going on and was a great time. The only thing I remember watching in B+W en masse at school was Winston Churchill’s funeral! Not quite the same … perhaps now I’d have enjoyed a holiday with the Vardo + horse … but way too much work for a regular way of life … <br /><br />@ Diedre – good to see you and thank you for the lovely comment. Glad you remember the ear piercing scenario – I probably would do it again now – the science has improved: but one lot of piercings is enough! However even with the horse trials … we are the survivors.<br /><br />Those wagons are remarkably heavy … it’d have been hard work, especially with horse to keep up to scratch as well – they need more looking after than we do … <br /><br />Also glad you picked up the Blarney Stone reference … the writing took 40 years to come to the fore – but it’s wonderful the posts are appreciated now – thank you. Ireland awaits you …<br /><br />@ Rebecca – the time of youth – and perhaps Renny was thinking about counting husbands down – but no, I don’t think so – she had one other husband, but then remained unmarried … <br /><br />Your “if we can send a man to the moon, why can't we send all of them?” led to the phrase … question … if we can do that – why can’t we do other things – waiting to be invented … I’d not thought of that … thanks!<br /><br />@ Powdered Toast Man – thanks for coming back via IWSG – I can’t see your blog – so am unable to reciprocate by visiting … <br /><br />Thanks everyone – some fun thoughts here … but I’m glad these memories have returned … cheers to you all from a wet UK … HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-37503724868642914822019-08-09T02:45:39.742+01:002019-08-09T02:45:39.742+01:00I missed the moon landing because I wasn't bor...I missed the moon landing because I wasn't born yet. Or was it because I got in a fight with a bear?<br /><br />Randomly found your blog through IWSG.Powdered Toast Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18195170076576384695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-53865587412209445312019-08-09T01:16:45.266+01:002019-08-09T01:16:45.266+01:00Sounds like you were a bit distracted by life at t...Sounds like you were a bit distracted by life at that juncture! And maybe your friend was thinking a bit like (who was it that said it?), if we can send a man to the moon, why can't we send all of them?Rebecca M. Douglasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07260530063164127746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-43433013717018727762019-08-08T23:02:42.410+01:002019-08-08T23:02:42.410+01:00Hi Hilary!
Thank you so much for stopping by my b...Hi Hilary!<br /><br />Thank you so much for stopping by my blog. It’s always good to hear from you. <br /><br />Reading your blogs is like stepping into a fabled English garden where every view is breathtaking, every stroll an adventure. First friends stay in your heart forever, don’t they? How well I remember the ear-piercing incidents of my youth – gads! You were incredibly brave to get back on a horse – or as crazy as I was to attempt a second set of ear piercings – ha! Good thing we are survivors. “taking her Romany gypsy caravan with himself around Ireland” I had to laugh at that! But that little wagon reminded me so much of the one in The Wizard of Oz ;- ) You kissed the Blarney Stone? Well, that explains why your blogs are so enchanting! I’d love to visit Ireland, maybe in my next life ;- )<br /><br />Take care,<br /><br />diedre Knighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12772557495518846226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-57644078128871708432019-08-08T22:23:45.042+01:002019-08-08T22:23:45.042+01:00Hi Hilary....
What a fun memory. I was in grade s...Hi Hilary....<br /><br />What a fun memory. I was in grade school in '69 ....I think third ... we were sitting at our desks when the blk and white TV was turned on. It was pretty impressive, but at that age, I think I would've enjoyed tootling through Ireland with an almost gypsylike caravan...Michael Di Gesuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17047267262428143113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-39232131380500583022019-08-08T22:01:18.015+01:002019-08-08T22:01:18.015+01:00Thanks for sharing your memories and the pictures,...Thanks for sharing your memories and the pictures, Hilary. I've only been on horseback a few times in my life. They all ended well, but I'm in no hurry to get back up there.Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756142122700513993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-50021174143396410632019-08-08T21:37:33.973+01:002019-08-08T21:37:33.973+01:00That must have been so much fun to spend all that ...That must have been so much fun to spend all that time wandering with a friend. I watched the moon landing with my parents. I'll never forget it. It made anything seem possible.Susan Gourley/Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02669793865290876168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-17322722492556822982019-08-08T18:54:53.686+01:002019-08-08T18:54:53.686+01:00I can't believe you and I were in Ireland at t...I can't believe you and I were in Ireland at the same time... now, mind you, I was only 3 months old, so I wouldn't have been much fun on your very, very cool trip - but me Ma swears that she put me and the buggy in front of the TV, so apparently I got to "see" the moon landings while you and Renny were off map-reading and B&B hunting.<br /><br />You definitely had more fun :)Mark Koopmanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03634424953074803816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-57886820793855070392019-08-08T17:36:29.696+01:002019-08-08T17:36:29.696+01:00Hi, Hilary - No wonder you missed the Moon Landing...Hi, Hilary - No wonder you missed the Moon Landing. You were off on a fabulous adventure of your own. As I remember it, repeats of the landing were played again and again (and can now be found on YouTube)! :)<br /><br />retirementreflectionshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03256842249783275416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-50920738078866218562019-08-08T15:00:18.025+01:002019-08-08T15:00:18.025+01:00Your adventures were definitely worth missing the ...Your adventures were definitely worth missing the moon landing over. Renny sounds like a great, fun person. Chrys Feyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11955009490266358041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-23675450690217190162019-08-08T11:31:44.947+01:002019-08-08T11:31:44.947+01:00Adventures such as this make the moon landing pale...Adventures such as this make the moon landing pale into insignificance. Simply delightful Hilary.Keith's Ramblingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13564578491652021492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-67703911253427630882019-08-08T03:09:05.959+01:002019-08-08T03:09:05.959+01:00Life can be busy, even when you are young. Certain...Life can be busy, even when you are young. Certain things are more important and your priorities change as you grow up. I am always thankful that there are recordings of the first walk on the moon. Whether or not you saw it at the moment, you can revisit it over and over again.Rhonda Albomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17455873487349816911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-34102896223368039612019-08-08T01:12:43.873+01:002019-08-08T01:12:43.873+01:00Such great memories, and such beautiful places!!! ...Such great memories, and such beautiful places!!! I love the Knockmealdown Mountains. Gorgeous.Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-40798903759324373762019-08-08T00:01:19.891+01:002019-08-08T00:01:19.891+01:00I didn't get to ride frequently, but was never...I didn't get to ride frequently, but was never thrown. It would have kept me away from horses for the rest of my life.<br /><br />Love,<br />JanieJanie Junebughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10573607241326291404noreply@blogger.com