I HAD a call from a reader during the week complaining of Japanese Knotweed.

NOW in the merry month of May, a potpourri of events and delights on our doorstep.

MAY is the month for wildflowers.

THE first of May, a cold, wet day, a grey sky and trees still leafless across the field.

MANY residents of my West Cork village consider it a rare privilege to have ravens nesting close by.

PUMPING diesel into my ancient automobile (outstandingly comfortable but nil value today) one warm afternoon last week, I recalled the joys of riding a motorbike on back roads in Thailand a month ago, my wife on the pillion and the wind in my hair (plenty of wind but not a great deal of hair).

THE dry weather continues and we have Ireland to ourselves.

THIS April day is wild and beautiful, small white clouds high in a blue sky, and waves breaking in white horses on a blue sea.

WE arrived home to spring in all its glorious colours, and to lovely weather.

IT is not always heavenly in Paradise, the imaginative name of the makeshift ‘resort’ at which we are staying on Sri Lanka’s south coast.