Tuesday 18 December 2007

ACCORDING TO THE LITTLE COUNTER, THAT'S 1000





Hi

It’s Party time!!



According to my little counter in the corner, this is the 1000th entry in the Inishindie Blog.

I have enjoyed working on this since last March and have learned a lot about how Blogs are put together. I realised from early on that this isn’t really a Blog as such.

Most Blogs have a daily account of goings on but Inishindie is more a catalogue of articles that I wrote over a five-year period, all mashed up together into one big ball.

Inishindie therefore doesn’t read as a diary. Some of the articles I now find a bit embarrassing as I feel I have learned a great deal since they were written. I have still printed them as a reminder of where I came from (A bit like a diary I suppose!)

I only just recently got the hang of hyperlinks too. So there are not that many links on the pages. The other interesting thing I have enjoyed is the networking to increase traffic into the Blog. There are so many ways from joining Forum sites, to clicky button s everywhere on the page

I really enjoyed setting up the Forum (I would like to point out here that my forum site Up the Garden Path is open and looking hopefully for new members)

If you have been following my progress over the year, I thank you, and I also would like to thank all of the other Bloggers for making my year so interesting.

Thanks

Ian


IT ALL STARTED WITH A LOST DOG





A little over seven years ago I lost my dog on the shorefront in Buncrana. Thankfully she turned up again, but not before I popped into the Inish Times office to put in a lost Dog notice. There I met Kevin Callaghan, the then owner of the paper, who suggested it might be a good idea to do a local weekly article on gardening as the topic wasn’t covered at the time. I accepted straight away and have enjoyed writing the articles ever since. In that time I have seen the newspaper grow from a fledgling copy to the thick tabloid that it is today.

But like all good things my time with the paper has come to an end. A decision has been made by River Media and it is now time for me to hang up my gardening gloves and spade for the last time.

I have learnt so much being involved with the keen horticulturalists of Inishowen. Meeting all types of very inspirational gardeners with all manner of techniques to get the most from their plot.

I would also like to wish my successor all the best for the future and hope that they get as much out of writing for the paper as I have.

KEEP IN TOUCH
If you would like to keep in touch with local gardening issues, I have set up a Forum page called Up The Garden Path on my Inishindie blogsite. If you have any questions or think you can contribute to the topics in any way, then please pay me a visit!

I would love to hear from you.




ME AND MY MOTOR

Paul Roe with his Beauford

BUNCRANA SUNSET

PLANT USE

Peach Blossom

Tree paeony




Weigeila



Tulip



PLANT USE IN THE GARDEN
Plants themselves can be important design elements, though few gardeners actually use them this way. If you have an artistic nature you can have great fun playing with where you put plants or how you prune them to bring out a certain look in your garden. The arching branches of a well-pruned cherry tree can frame an entire garden. The repetition of soft, grey-leaved plants or spiky foliage can be used as a theme in a long border. If you take the time to notice and experiment with the form, texture, and colour of plants, you will discover a whole new palette of design elements with which to work from. This is a three-dimensional consideration that takes into account the shapes and volumes of the plants in your garden. A variety of different forms make a garden interesting, but too much diversity creates visual confusion. Trees and shrubs have characteristic forms that should be carefully combined to avoid clashing. Flowers, too, have characteristic shapes: the rounded heads of alliums, verbena, and globe thistle; the vertical spikes of delphinium, snapdragons, and veronica; and the strong architectural lines of a large cordyline. Experiment by grouping plants with the same form into a drift, or by repeating a pleasing composition of different forms several times.


Texture: Plants have a tactile quality that can be used as a valuable design tool. Think about how the glossy leaves of holly, magnolia, and roses contrast with the suede-like foliage of lamb's ears, heliotrope, and coleus. Or how the fat and fleshy leaves of a sedum differ from the needle-like foliage of rosemary or the quilted leaves of a blue-green hosta. Flowers also provide textural interest. They can be rich and velvety like a rose, or as thin and translucent as a poppy. Even tree bark contributes textural interest - especially during the winter months.


Colour: Entire books have been written about using colour as a design tool. You can approach colour as a technician, using the colour wheel to create harmonious combinations, or you can use your own eyes and emotions to guide you in creating the look and feel you want. Combining colours in new and interesting ways offers a lifetime of exciting possibilities.


As a general rule, red, orange and yellow are colours that jump out at you. They are lively and stimulating, and give the impression that they are closer to the eye than they actually are. If you plant too many hot-coloured flowers, and don't balance them with cool-coloured, less assertive plants, your garden will be a jumble of blaring trumpets. Green, blue, and violet are cool colours. In the garden these flowers create a more soothing, restful feeling, and tend to recede into the distance.

BUNCRANA PIER





BUNCRANA

Bandstand

Buncrana beach looking towards Inch island


The old slipway on Buncrana beach



ME AND MY MOTOR-JOHNNY MULREANY









Name: Johnny Mulreany
Address: Bundoran
Car: 1961 Vauxhall VX 490 1.508 cc

Johnny is a long time member of the Donegal Vintage and Classic Car Club. The club has been active since 1990 and has built up a regular membership of over 100 fans of classic cars, tractors, vans, small trucks, motorbikes and static engines. All of the events throughout the year are very family orientated and a great venue for social chatting. If you would like to know when the next event is, give Eunan Kelly a ring on 087 2366924

How long have you had the car?
I bought the car about four years ago and have nurtured the car since then.

What got you interested in old cars?
Like most people who spent half their lives with old cars, I grew up with a passion for them. I am also a mechanic by trade so that helps too.


Has the car won any competitions?
Yes it has and I think one of the reasons is that the car is in its original condition. That answers your next question as well about whether I restored it myself!


Is it reliable?
Yes it is and if things do go wrong it takes no time at all to fix them. Vauxhalls have plenty of room under the bonnets to work on the engines. Try looking into the engine bay of a Viva; you could have a party in there.


Best thing about the car?
It is very powerful and surprises other drivers when I leave the traffic lights. It is also lovely to drive as it has upgrades such as the bench seats and a floor change gear lever


How often do you wash it?
Very often. In summer I tend to go out once a week to shows around the country and it always gets a wash then.


If you were the Minister for Finance what would you do to help motorists?
I would cut the tax on petrol.


What would you really like to be driving around in?

I have a favourite car that I would like to be driving around in. A Ford Mk 2 Consul.


CHOISYA TERNATA

Mexican orange blossom

Does really well in our climate This well-loved evergreen shrub from Mexico enjoys warm conditions. In mild gardens it will reach full size in the open, but elsewhere plants benefit if sheltered from the cold winds that can damage the foliage and restrict growth - a warm wall is ideal, or plants may be grown in containers that can be moved under cover in winter. The bushes look attractive at all times, but especially when covered with the very fragrant white blooms shorten stems by 25-30cm (10-12in) after flower to encourage a second flush in autumn.


RED CROSS AWARDS INISHOWEN


LEAVING CERIFICATES IN BUNCRANA


ME AND MY MOTOR-DERMOTT MCLAUGHLIN








Local Buncrana Councillor Dermot McLaughlin drives a 2007 1.4 Opel Astra estate. The car has to be very versatile as it is used for work, leisure and off road expeditions. Dermot is chairperson of the Inishowen Wildlife Club and he often has to venture down muddy lanes. He was the first appointed Wildlife Ranger in Inishowen and was closely involved in setting up the Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) around Inishowen. He found that estate cars were perfect for life outdoors. Even in a torrential downpour he could sit in the back with the boot open to give shelter whilst observing seals or birds in comfort with a cup of tea on the go. Dermot also got into the habit of an estate car when he was transporting his projector and stuffed animals around the schools giving talks on wildlife. He mainly uses the boot of the Astra now to take his beloved English Setter, Chloe, out for walks.


How long have you had the car?
I bought it new earlier this year from Colm Dillon. I have had Opel estates before and have always been happy with them. Because of my work with environmental issues over the years I have always been conscious of vehicle emissions. The Astra has a low output of pollution because of its small 1.4 litre engine. All of the materials used to make the car are recyclable as well.

Any plans to change?
I have only just bought it so I have no plans to change just yet! I particularly like the Astra as it has a very good turning circle. I had a Peugeot 307 estate before this and it was difficult to get into my garage but I have no such problem with the Astra.

Is it reliable?
All of the Astras have been reliable. Since March the car has just had the regular services.

Best thing about the car?
The inner space is fantastic and perfect for carrying all of my equipment when I am out and about in the countryside. My dog loves the space in the back and is happy to see out of the windows when being chauffeured around. I also like the road clearance. The exhaust stays on when you go down rough roads!

How often do you wash it?
If there is any thing special going off it will get a power wash at the garage. My next special occasion will be the talk at Dunree Fort on the 16th of this month. Barry O’Donoghue will be talking about the Hen Harrier and other tag birds that come to the peninsula. (It starts at 8pm)

What would you do to help motorists given the chance?
There are so many! Road surface improvements for a start. Also, a well thought out infrastructure for towns would help ease the problem of bad manners on the road as this is mostly caused through frustration. Working towards easing parking problems in built up areas, reduce insurance, tax, and petrol prices. Need I go on?! There are loads of things that could be done to make it easier for motorists to accept the cost of car ownership.

What would you really like to be driving around in?
I think I have found the ideal car for my needs but I have noticed the Nissan Qashqai off road vehicle. That looks as though it has a good road clearance, I might give that a test-drive one day!

PLANNING A GARDEN




I’ve decided over the New Year break that I will have to do something my new garden before the spring. When the growing season comes I will be desperate to plant my seedlings somewhere. I thought the best plan of action would be to draw up a rough plan to help me decide on what to do. You can have a go with your own garden if you like. Here is what I will be doing.

PLANNING A GARDEN
Most of us have little difficulty watering our plants, finding a patch for the sweet peas or mowing the grass. When it comes to the planning of a garden though, even the most seasoned gardener can break out into a sweat. I did a garden design course a few years ago to make the planning of a garden a little easier. One thing the course taught me is that some of the best-designed gardens in the country have come, not from professional training, but by trial and error. Over the years dedicated gardeners will plant shrubs, lay paths, create herbaceous borders and put in water features. Then the next year everything could change. The garden is a living thing and like all of us, changes all the time (hopefully for the better!)

There are as many designs for gardens as there are gardeners and some people wouldn’t dream of doing anything in the garden unless a professional landscaper was present. The instant garden is very popular at the moment. This can be disappointing for the customer when they realise that they might have to wait a few years for their escallonia hedge to reach six feet in height!

I remember seeing a company that delivered your garden on pallets after you chose the style you wanted. The garden, containing grass herbaceous plants, shrubs and even ornaments were dropped off and pieced together like a jigsaw. The plants stayed on the pallets so they could be taken away again and changed to suit the season.

I find it more satisfying to wait for plants to mature and fill the spaces where they were planted. It is also much cheaper too. A small hedging plant will cost a couple of euro where a five-year-old one could cost ten times that amount. The small shrubs soon catch up. I have been visiting some friends over the holidays that moved into a new estate ten years ago. When we first visited the gardens were plain lawns. Over the years I’ve seen small shrubs, trees and plants mature, beds and features added making gardens private and the estate attractive. Whilst we are on the subject of things growing larger, take this into consideration when you are buying any plant, but especially trees. You might decide to create a small, sunny garden with a cherry tree in the middle. This will be fine for the first few years, but the tree will keep on growing and put all the other plants in the shade. You will have to go out and buy shade loving plants such as hostas and ferns to grow in the dimly lit garden instead, which would be totally the opposite to the original design (personally I like hostas and ferns which is just as well as it is north-facing)!
A good garden designer will listen to your ideas and then put them into a workable plan. There could be ideas that you have that will not work and a designer could advise you otherwise, saving you time and money. On the other hand if you are brave you can create your own ideas yourself, If they don’t work you can try something different. The only disadvantage in this is that you only have yourself to blame if something looks a bit daft. But whose judging anyway -it’s fun and a great way to learn! You can start on a small area of the garden first as implementing a design can be costly


ROCKET LAUNCH AT GREENCASTLE


OLD BOAT DETAIL GREENCASTLE


BUILDING ROCKETS IN GREENCASTLE


Ash McFaddon giving tuition to the builders of the Rockets in Greencastle.



Ash McFaddon and the Maritime Museum

BUNCRANA ARIEL

Residents protest about the large ariel in the town. It is claimed to be detrimental to health.


BUNCRANA FROM SWAN PARK BRIDGE

With the old Fruit of the Loom factory in the distance

HELLEBORE-CHRISTMAS ROSE


CORK IMAGES



ME AND MY MOTOR-TRUDY MCLAUGHLIN








This week we are in Carndonagh talking to Trudy McLaughlin from the Inishowen Community Radio Station. Trudy loves her job and has worked for the station for six years, which is only a year less then the station has been on the air. Her show is on between 9 and 11 am on Monday and Wednesday’s. At the weekend Trudy is extremely busy preparing Christmas trees for sale to the public from her fathers home in Church Brae in Greencastle. Her 2002 Peugeot 307 is just the car for getting the trees to customers before the big day.

How long have you had the car?
Two years last November. I had a green Daewoo Lanos before this one. I chose a gold car this time because I am a Donegal supporter!

Any plans to change?
Yes, I might go for another gold car next, but it will have two green stripes down it to go all the way with my support for the team.

What is the story about the broken wing mirrors?
I parked overnight in Moville recently as I had a drink in the pub. When I collected it in the morning on the Malin road the wing mirrors had been smashed. New ones are on my list from Santa!

Is the car reliable?
It is really reliable. It even works without antifreeze, water and even oil! I took it into the garage recently and the mechanic couldn’t believe that it was still running without any lubrication in the engine.

Best thing about the car?
I love the automatic lights, they are light sensitive and go on and off without human intervention. The Lanos had a beeper to warn me of the lights but I still managed to leave them on. The car tends to switch the indicators on automatically too, but I think that might be a bit of a fault.

How often does it get a wash?
When I do an interview for the Inish Times.

What would you do to help motorists given the chance?
I would pay learner drivers to have a professional driving instructor for lessons before they were allowed onto the roads.

What would you really like to be driving around in?
A self-cleaning car, preferably that does the driving too.

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