Morning Symphony: An ideal occupation for unending romantics, Britain's most impolite roadways, woodland workshops, and springtime in Cornwall
In the heart of the Atlantic Ocean, off the Dingle Peninsula in Ireland, lies the Great Blasket Island, the largest of the Blasket Islands archipelago. Known for its natural beauty, rich literary heritage, and historical significance, the island has a new set of caretakers ready to call it home.
James Hayes, a local from Tralee, and Camille Rosenfeld, an American from Minnesota, will celebrate their first wedding anniversary in romantic isolation on the remote island. They are the newest caretakers of the Great Blasket Island, prepared to face challenges such as drawing water from a spring and using electricity supplied by a small wind turbine.
The role involves running tourist facilities over the summer, primarily a cafe and a few self-catering properties. The couple was chosen from over 80,000 applicants, a testament to the allure of living on this remote island.
The Blasket Islands, the most westerly archipelago in Europe, are a haven for wildlife, including seagulls and Arctic terns, and are surrounded by scenic landscapes like the dramatic sea cliffs near Dingle. The islands once had a thriving community but were abandoned due to emigration and lack of resources, leaving an interesting historical narrative. Today, the Great Blasket Island is a Special Area of Conservation, protecting its natural environment and unspoiled terrain.
Meanwhile, in Cornwall, England, the first magnolias of spring have been announced. At least 50 blooms on each of the six champion Magnolia campbellii trees in the Great Gardens of Cornwall have been reported. This announcement was made as part of Cornwall's Spring Story, an initiative aimed at raising awareness and finding magnolia spotters across the northern hemisphere.
Elsewhere, the property market in various parts of the UK is experiencing fluctuations. Homes in Willey Lane in Nottingham and T**tling Road in Birmingham cost more than double the average in NG16 and B45 respectively. Conversely, houses on Fanny Hands Lane in Lincoln are £57,000 cheaper than the rest of LN8, and homes on Hooker Road in Norwich cost £70,000 less than the average home in NR7 postcode.
Toby Keel, the Digital Director of a platform, manages the website and social media channels since 2016. He writes about property, cars, lifestyle, travel, and nature. In June 2025, he will be part of Woodland Heritage, an organisation dedicated to promoting the use of home-grown timber from sustainable woodlands in the UK. Woodland Heritage is running Open Woods & Workshops, a series of events across the country, including large forestry estates, artists' studios, and sawmills. Participating organisations include The Duchy of Cornwall, Gaze Burvill, and John Makepeace. The events can be found and booked starting from March 4th on the Woodland Heritage website.
References: 1. Discover Ireland - Blasket Islands 2. Wildlife Haven - Blasket Islands 3. Blasket Centre - History 4. Natural Ireland - Great Blasket Island
The newlywed couple, James Hayes and Camille Rosenfeld, will indulge in a romantic anniversary amidst the solitude of the Great Blasket Island, where they will serve as caretakers, managing a cafe and self-catering properties during the summer. On another note, Toby Keel, the Digital Director, pens articles about lifestyle, travel, and nature, and will soon be involved with Woodland Heritage, advocating for the use of home-grown timber in the UK, hosting Open Woods & Workshops in various locations.
