Tuesday, 11 December 2007
BERBERIS
This is a pyracantha (I didn't have a pic of berberis) I'll swap it over when I do!! (thanks for noticing!!)The most often seen berberis is the hedging type berberis thunbergii, but even this has variety- the green leafed and the purple leafed (Berberis thunbergii atropurpurea) types. These make great hedges and are good defence as they are spiny and not good to walk through! They clip well and grow up to 2m high if left alone, but make a good hedge about 1m high. The green variety in particular has lovely autumn colour, the leaves turning a brilliant orange red. There is even a rockery version of the purple leafed variety that grows to only 60cm high, and grows into a lovely ball shape that can be trimmed well. Evergreen types are around too and one of my favourites is the Orange King. This plant is a magnificent specimen shrub with fabulous deep orange flowers in late spring. The evergreen leaves are narrow and rigid, a dark green that compliment the flowers brilliantly. It needs space to grow as it will make about 2m in height and about 1.5m width when mature
HOOKED
HOOKED ON GARDENING QUESTIONS
I am all in a quandary. It all started about three weeks ago when the weather turned colder. I thought I could compensate for outside gardening pursuits by joining forum pages on gardening websites. I could still immerse myself in the world of horticulture and not get cold or muddy. All well and good you might say, if you just stick to one website forum. I have joined six of them now and I am totally hooked! I can ask any gardening question and within minutes there are loads of answers from knowledgeable gardeners from around the world (There are some daft ones too of course!). I can even answer a few queries too. I didn’t realise just how much I was getting hooked on these sites until two things happened.
Number one, Julie referred to herself as a technology widow to a friend of hers (ouch!). Number two the broadband connection that delivers all of this glorious information to my screen has disappeared. What to do? I was forced to find other forms of entertainment. I did a bit of housework and actually talked to the rest of the family in between meals. I also ventured out into the real garden that I had forgotten existed and did a bit of tidying. Not too much mind you as I am a big believer in leaving all of the old dead stems of the perennials intact to allow for insects to over winter and for the birds to feed off of the seed heads. I did clear the paths though as I don’t care for wet stems tickling my legs as I go out to get the coal.
GARDENING FORUM
I have this great novelty on my blog site at the moment. It is a map of the world and it pinpoints where in the world people are looking at the site. It is really addictive! In one day people from America, Germany, Holland, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Northern Africa, Japan, Philippines, Pakistan, Malaysia, Canada, Sweden and Australia had all been looking at what I get up to in my tiny garden in Inishowen!
JOIN IN THE CHAT
I am all in a quandary. It all started about three weeks ago when the weather turned colder. I thought I could compensate for outside gardening pursuits by joining forum pages on gardening websites. I could still immerse myself in the world of horticulture and not get cold or muddy. All well and good you might say, if you just stick to one website forum. I have joined six of them now and I am totally hooked! I can ask any gardening question and within minutes there are loads of answers from knowledgeable gardeners from around the world (There are some daft ones too of course!). I can even answer a few queries too. I didn’t realise just how much I was getting hooked on these sites until two things happened.
Number one, Julie referred to herself as a technology widow to a friend of hers (ouch!). Number two the broadband connection that delivers all of this glorious information to my screen has disappeared. What to do? I was forced to find other forms of entertainment. I did a bit of housework and actually talked to the rest of the family in between meals. I also ventured out into the real garden that I had forgotten existed and did a bit of tidying. Not too much mind you as I am a big believer in leaving all of the old dead stems of the perennials intact to allow for insects to over winter and for the birds to feed off of the seed heads. I did clear the paths though as I don’t care for wet stems tickling my legs as I go out to get the coal.
GARDENING FORUM
I have this great novelty on my blog site at the moment. It is a map of the world and it pinpoints where in the world people are looking at the site. It is really addictive! In one day people from America, Germany, Holland, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Northern Africa, Japan, Philippines, Pakistan, Malaysia, Canada, Sweden and Australia had all been looking at what I get up to in my tiny garden in Inishowen!
JOIN IN THE CHAT
If you are not too busy doing the Christmas shopping why don’t you join us on the forum site on http://www.inishindie.blogspot.com/ Together we can put Inishowen on the gardening map!
RAINBOW TEMPLE
The rainbow temple outside Byron Bay in Australia.
It's a year since I was there so I thought I would remind myself!
ME AND MY MOTOR-NIALL AND TANYA MCDAID
Niall and Tanya McDaid live in Drumfies near Clonmany. They have a real Christmas Cracker of a car for us to look at this week- a 2001 Volkswagen Passat 1.9 TDi with 130bhp. Tanya generally drives the car and loves the ample legroom and sturdy build quality. Niall delves more into the technical specifications pointing out that the car is the Sports model and boasts a whole load of extras that are only available on mainland UK cars.
How long have you had the car?
Four years now. Before the Passat we had a Volkswagen Golf. We were very happy with the Golf; they have a very safe and solid feel to them. So much so we decided to stick with the same manufacturer.
Any plans to change?
Yes. We have decided to part company with the car and it is up for sale. We are still going to be driving a Passat but a newer model. If anyone is interested in a well looked after, low mileage car then check out the Car Buyers Guides website (http://www.cbg.ie/.) It has all of the technical specifications listed. (Or you can ring Niall on 087 6645203)
Is it reliable?
It has been very reliable. We have had it serviced at regular intervals. In fact with this car you can’t go over the servicing time because the onboard computer keeps beeping to remind you to book it into the garage!
Best thing about the car?
Tanya: The big boot is fantastic. Amongst other things, I am an Avon representative and I find the space in the car ideal to fit in all of the products I deliver to customers. The six gears are very good for fuel economy and I like the sensor windscreen wipers that come on automatically when it rains. I also think that the air conditioning is great in summer. Did I mention the sensor in the rear view mirror that dims instantly when headlights shine into them!?
Niall: For me the best thing is the on board computer. It puts your mind at rest knowing that if there are any problems with the car you will find out about it instantly.
How often do you wash it?
It gets a wash every week (or so). I think a pressure washer is better for the paint as it cuts down on abrasive scratches.
What would you do to help motorists given the chance?
Does anyone mention VRT!? Reducing the tax on buying cars from the UK and re-registering them would be a start. It will get worse when the new CO2 levy comes in as well. The tax is too steep for cars with large engines and could be reduced.
What would you really like to be driving around in?
Tanya: I would love to be driven around in a black Limo!
Niall: I would like to be driving around in something that would be exempt from paying the new car parking charges that have been introduced in Buncrana. Maybe not really because that would probably mean a pedal bike!!
How long have you had the car?
Four years now. Before the Passat we had a Volkswagen Golf. We were very happy with the Golf; they have a very safe and solid feel to them. So much so we decided to stick with the same manufacturer.
Any plans to change?
Yes. We have decided to part company with the car and it is up for sale. We are still going to be driving a Passat but a newer model. If anyone is interested in a well looked after, low mileage car then check out the Car Buyers Guides website (http://www.cbg.ie/.) It has all of the technical specifications listed. (Or you can ring Niall on 087 6645203)
Is it reliable?
It has been very reliable. We have had it serviced at regular intervals. In fact with this car you can’t go over the servicing time because the onboard computer keeps beeping to remind you to book it into the garage!
Best thing about the car?
Tanya: The big boot is fantastic. Amongst other things, I am an Avon representative and I find the space in the car ideal to fit in all of the products I deliver to customers. The six gears are very good for fuel economy and I like the sensor windscreen wipers that come on automatically when it rains. I also think that the air conditioning is great in summer. Did I mention the sensor in the rear view mirror that dims instantly when headlights shine into them!?
Niall: For me the best thing is the on board computer. It puts your mind at rest knowing that if there are any problems with the car you will find out about it instantly.
How often do you wash it?
It gets a wash every week (or so). I think a pressure washer is better for the paint as it cuts down on abrasive scratches.
What would you do to help motorists given the chance?
Does anyone mention VRT!? Reducing the tax on buying cars from the UK and re-registering them would be a start. It will get worse when the new CO2 levy comes in as well. The tax is too steep for cars with large engines and could be reduced.
What would you really like to be driving around in?
Tanya: I would love to be driven around in a black Limo!
Niall: I would like to be driving around in something that would be exempt from paying the new car parking charges that have been introduced in Buncrana. Maybe not really because that would probably mean a pedal bike!!
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