Well what a year that was! So many changes for us. Some of you already know our biggest news of the year which is that we are on the move. Prospect Cottage is sold and we are leaving Arigna. We will however still be in Roscommon but that is all I am revealing for now. We move to our new place at the end of January and I will start a new blog shortly after that.
Changes too as regards animals. We have both become intolerant to goats milk so when we sold the house Bella and Enid, our 2 milking goats, went to our friends Paul and Deborah in Co. Clare. They have an organic smallholding and the girls are happy there. We know they will be well cared for and we can see them when we visit. Apparently they are both smitten with male goat David who also resides there.
That left us with Smokie the Goat and Daphne the donkey to accompany us to our new place. They had been companions since we got Daphne 8 years ago. Sadly it was not to be. Smokie passed away rather suddenly in mid November leaving us very sad and poor Daphne alone. Donkeys love company and it really is’nt fair to keep a lone animal. We decided to try and get Daphne into a sanctuary. We were so lucky to find a permanent place for her at Sai Satya Sanctuary for donkeys and ponies in Castlebaldwin. That’s not too far from us so we can visit her there. The sanctuary is run by an amazing woman called Sue Paling. Sue has a genuine love of animals and has devoted her life to them. Daphne is settled in well there. She has made friends with two older ladies, Esmerelda and Bonnie. You can check out the sanctuary at www.donkeys.ie .
Gardening has always played a large part in my life. I just love growing flowers and veg and get immense setisfaction from harvesting vegetables and herbs and using them in our meals. Our new place has about an acre of land with an already established fruit, veg and flower garden. At least I won’t be starting from scratch but of course we will make changes and put our own stamp on the place. We are moving at a good time as a full gardening season will be ahead of us in our new abode.
All that remains for now is to wish you all a wonderful 2013. May you have love, happiness and abundance in the coming year. Hopefully many of you will continue the journey with us in the new place. Happy New Year! xx
arignagardener 
It’s the first day of March 2013 and this post has come up on my reader only now! Substantial changes in your life – and you must, I imagine, now be truly settled in. Happy the rest of the year. (But not omitting for ever after!)
Thanks Lucy. We are indeed settling. Hoping to start a new blog fairly soon.
Bridget x
I hope all is well with you guys.
No word from you. Hope you are doing well.
All is well. We have bought a new place and are moved into it. Will start a new blog very soon.
Bridget.
Only catching up on reading now! Best wishes in your new home! Looking forward to hearing about your move and your new garden.
I wondered where you’d been lately so came knocking! It’s Jan 21 as I write this, so assume you are hardcore in “moving house” mode! Change is exciting. 🙂
Looking forward to seeing your new blog and following the next chapter of your gardening life!
I don’t see any new postings here. I hope you have not moved to a new website and I don’t know. Please let us know when you move. Thanks.
It will be about a month before I start the new blog. Don’t worry I will put a post on here to direct you all to the new site.
Bridget
Can’t wait to see the new place and follow you in your new adventures!! Happy New Year!
Good luck in your new venture. I am looking forward to following your adventures.
Happy New Year to you too, Bridget (I did wonder what you had been up to). Incidentaly, David is a smashing name for a goat. David
Happy New Year! While change is exciting I know it’s stressful too. Take time for yourself. I’m excited to see what’s in store for you in 2013.
Wow, big changes indeed! Good luck with all the transitions. 🙂
Michael
Good luck with the move Bridget and best wishes for the New Year!
Goodness, this certainly is big news. Change is tough, but these sound like good ones in the long run. Wishing you a good move and smooth transition.
Thanks Leigh!
Ciao Bridget! I didn’t know you were on the move, I’m so excited to see your new place and I wonder how many thousands of plans you’d have for there!
I am so so so sad to learn you lost or split from all your animals, they were a great feature in your garden! 🙂
I wish you and your family an exciting and happy 2013.
Obviously the Universe had change in mind for us so we must go with the flow. We still have our 2 dogs Freddie and Lettie.
Goodness Bridget – first you go missing off the blog scene for months and then you spring this surprise on us. I will miss seeing your garden and animals at Prospect Cottage but look forward to what you have in store for us – best wishes to you for 2013.
Many blessings and best wishes for the 2013 and your new home 🙂
Good luck with the move. Exciting times ahead and I look forward to reading about and seeing your new garden in the months to come. It’s good that you’ve been able to get your animals into good homes, it must be a relief to know that they will be happy and well cared. Best wishes for 2013. WW x
Bridget, may you find peace, health, happiness, and bountiful harvests in your new place. Be well.
Oh wow, so many changes! Sorry about your losses, it is so hard to lose a family pet… Good luck with the move and I look forward to hearing about your new adventures!
Hope the new year brings only good things for you. And good luck with the move – looking forward to hearing more about your new home.
Lots of changes afoot!….Sorry to read of your losses. Best of luck with the move and Happy New Year!
Thank you for sharing. Such exciting changes. I am really glad you found great homes for the animals. I look forward to sharing your new adventures. Best of luck with all of them. Regards, Karen
It was sad to read about your fur friends, but we know they had the best possible life while they were with you. The ones who are still living went to wonderful homes and that’s a real blessing. Mom says she can tell what a big heart you have and she wishes you the best in your new place. We can’t wait for spring and summer to come again so we can play outside. Your pictures make us long for the warmer days even more. Good luck!
Happy new beginnings to yourself and Andy. Very best wishes Diana and Mick. x
Many thanks to you all for your good wishes. May it be a great 2013 for us all. Bridget xx.
I will definitely continue the journey with you. It must be really exciting for you now, doing all the planning and thinking of moving to a new place :-). All the best. And, Happy New Year.
Dear Bridget, How exciting — a new home, new garden, new beginnings! I wish you luck and happiness, and can’t wait to see pics. Happy New Year. P. x
Wish us luck with selling our house, so we can follow your lead and move to the new place. Glad you have found happy homes for your animal companions. I look forward to reading lots about your new home! Happy New Year!
Happy New Year – and best wishes for your new move – looking forward to reading about your adventures!
Ohmigosh! So much change! Sorry for your losses, but I can’t wait to hear about the new garden space. It will be an exciting year for you– keep us posted! All the best– L
Hi Bridget – Big changes for you, most definitely. Some good, some sad. I was very saddened to read about poor Smokie, but am glad for you and for Daphne that you’ve found her a very loving and caring place. I have spoken to Sue Palin a few times when we first moved to Sligo, as I was very interested in volunteering at the local SSPCA and also to help the donkeys at her beautiful Sai Sanctuary. She is an incredibly loving, compassionate, empathic person, who dearly loves donkeys and all animals. I know that Daphne is happy there, although I’m sure you and Andy miss her, as you also love and miss Enid and Bella, but know that they too are happy in Clare with your friends.
I wish you and Andy and the doggies a beautiful, peaceful, happy and healthy new year and the big move to the new house. We’ll definitely meet up soon – maybe for a cuppa and a chat in Carrick?
With much love to you, mo chara. – June
Good Luck with the move and Happy New Year! I look forward to hearing more about your next adventure x
Looking forward to seeing your new place.
Happy New Year
Jane x
Happy New Year to you ! Good luck with the move, I’m sure we’ll be paying you a visit once you’ve settled.
Happy New Year to you both. xx
All the best to you in the new year.
Sorry to hear about your sadder changes during the last few months but it’s very exciting to start the new year with a new house and garden to look forward to. Happy new year.
Good morning Bridget .. well …on with the new! 2012 was a year full of changes for you and I’m so glad to hear that you are preparing for a powerfully good year. So sad to hear about the loss of Smokie. And happy to hear that you’ve arranged wonderful new homes for your other lovely animals .. tough choices that you have made, but you’ve made sure that they all have wonderful homes with caring people. I look forward to hearing about your new life! Happy 2013 to you both …
Good luck in your new venture,Bridget. And a happy and productive New Year ahead,
Cheers, Catherine C.
Bridget,
Best of luck with all your changes and a happy, healthy new year to you and yours!
Karla