Chaotic Kaden

There is a strong wind blowing from the South East tonight. Here, just above the high tide line on the 'Strand' tidal flats half a mile East of 'Castlegregory' we are rather exposed to it. Sadie though, in her many travels has weathered far more than this without even a blink of her headlights so this time, no problem at all. All is well down here in this beautiful part of Co Kerry, Ireland, which by the way, is right on 'The Wild Atlantic Way'. Tanya, Sadie and I are parked down here because Keith and Justine have holidaymakers in their holiday Bungalow. I am usually parked up in front of it but am quite happy to move down here as and when required.

I shall though, miss the early morning visit from my two year old grandson. I've renamed him Chaotic Kaden which perhaps paints a picture for you of his welcome and enjoyable visits.

"Kaden Feed Tanya Grampy Steve."

These are usually the first words I hear as his little feet clomp along the decking to Sadie's open door. Feeding Tanya comprises of him getting one of my small dishes out ready for when I lift the bag of doggy biscuits down. Sure enough he does help and a few of the biscuits do make it to Tanya's bowl. Mainly though the task is to pick out the tiny yellow biscuits, which he has taken a liking to, which are then deposited in his dish.

"Raisins Grampy Steve." 

This from upturned little face, usually with runny nose, signifies the next stage. As dish is held up ready raisins are added and I deftly remove all bar two yellow doggy biscuits. This remaining couple add a nice touch of colour to the raisins with so far no doggy behaviour being observed in Master Kaden.

The other familiar Kaden statement is; "Want go in Grampy big bussy." But what is this? There is now competition. Keith's beloved forty two year old classic Volkswagon T2 camper van is once again up and running after the latest round of repairs by Campervan John. The salty sea air of the Atlantic protruding 'Dingle' peninsular is perhaps not the best place to keep rust at bay for this classic old lady. She is though, much loved and cherished by Keith, Justine and of course Kaden. This extremely busy couple plus bright and energetic two year old run a popular seaside bits and pieces shop and launderette. It is long hours and seven days a week of hard exhausting slog. During the Summer; this classic old lady allows holiday albeit just an hour grabbed here and there at the local beach. May her rust slow down, her wheels turn effortlessly and her engine tick smoothly for a little while longer.

When down here I help out where I can which so far has mainly been watching Chaotic Kaden. Yesterday however; was different. With bag full of envelopes and ballot papers I trudged the streets of Castlegregory delivering door to door ready for the forthcoming Community Council elections. Keith and Justine are not directly involved but as I know only too well from my own past experience. When it comes to local community, council or anything voluntary, people on the ground actually doing stuff are extremely hard to find. It always boils down to a mere handful, and very often the same handful over and over again. Apathy, It seems is a sad, true and unfortunate by product of democracy.