It’s March.
There’s been loads of rain
this month already
and it feels as if April showers
have arrived early!

I feel cheated!

Off we go
to Banagher dam.
It’s raining (again!)
The steep banks of the road
constantly
drip … drip … drip
onto damp, dark green
ferns, mosses, primroses
and drooping swathes
of long, pointed leaves
that hold a promise
of bluebells
in the months ahead.
Dozens of tiny waterfalls
cascade
and water flows freely
along the road.

This is really wet!

But when we reach Banagher dam,
we are delighted to see
that the reservoir is so high
its overflow is in full flow,
sending water pouring
into a pool
and from there
down a series of giant steps.

We set off to explore!

Before long
we find ourselves standing
on a bridge
right in front of
a series of huge steps,
each one taller than me
while Coca-Cola-coloured water
pours down with a roar.
I feel as if I’ve wandered
on to the film set
of “The Incredible Shrinking Man”!

Despite visiting Banagher
many times before,
we have never seen anything
like this.
We stand for ages gazing,
fascinated.

And as we walk back to the car
I find myself doing something
that surprises me
absolutely –
giving silent thanks to God
for all of that rain
during March
that had annoyed me so much
at the time!

Isn’t it amazing,
isn’t it wonderful
how life can be
so full of surprises?

(Thanks be to God!)

© Claire Murray, 2nd April 2023