5 MINUTES WITH - MICHAEL DOHERTY

Michael Doherty read his first book on floristry and flower arranging when he was twelve years old. He still treasures the book and it’s influence was the beginning of a long career in the industry. His work has taken him all over the world and he has just started a new job at Writtle College in Chelmsford in the UK as a floristry lecturer. Michael also ran his own freelance floristry company in Inishowen for three years.

A Place Apart, the International Flower Festival has been organised by Michael for the second year and Daniel O’Donnell will be officially opening the event on the 1st of May at 7:30 pm. This is a ticket only event and you can buy these from Loreto house - (074 9362204) get them now though as tickets are limited and they are going fast! The House is open on Friday 2nd of May and admission is only €10…Not to be missed!

What music do you like?
I have a really broad spectrum and it depends what mood I am in. When I am driving, I listen to classical, modern disco, house and liturgical CD’s.

What would you never throw away?
Florists never throw anything away! We will even keep old stalks that are left over from our designs. You never know when they will come in handy.

What books are you reading at the moment?
I am teaching art deco floristry at the moment so I am reading a period flower history book for information. My bedtime read is the Monk who sold his Ferrari by Robin S Sharma. This is a book of oriental wisdom, which advises you to take charge of your life.

Have you been to the cinema recently, what did you see and was it any good?
I went to see 27 Dresses directed by Anne Fletcher. This is a film about a woman who wrestles with the idea of standing by her sister's side as her sibling marries the man she's secretly in love with. It is a real “Chick Flick” and enjoyable.

What section of the newspaper do you turn to first?
The television page! When I am away I like to know what is going on at home, so I will look up the Buncrana notes on the internet.

What is your idea of a good night out?
I can’t really tell you about that! You will have to ask the friends I go out on the town with…

What is your idea of a great meal?
Having it cooked by someone else. Good friends, good food and good drink!

Have you a favourite TV programme?
I am a bit of a TV head. I enjoy Brothers and Sisters and Podge and Rodge…anything tacky really!

How do you relax?
What’s that? With my new job in England and coming home at weekends for the flower festival, I don’t get much chance to relax. I am partial to a bit of reflexology though in the quieter moments.

What job did you want to do when you were a child?
I either wanted to be a chef or a florist. I tried being a chef for a few years as a job but got the calling for floristry.

Where would you like to go for your holidays?
I would like to go to a secluded beach in the sun. It would have a swimming pool, with fresh water, not salty. I would like total isolation with no phone, for at least 5 days. That’s not too much to ask is it?

Your idea of heaven?
Loreto House. It’s magical at any time of the day.

Your idea of hell?
Teaching 16 –17 year olds the art of floristry!

What famous people would you invite around for dinner and why?
Alan Carr the stand up comedian would be my first choice for a fun evening.

Favourite animal?
That would have to be my dog, Willow. He is an adorable six year old whippet.

Biggest fear?
Losing someone very dear.

Biggest thrill?
The day I passed my National Diploma in Floristry.

The world’s most irritating invention?
The plastic bag. They are a hassle and cause loads of environmental problems.

Personal philosophy?
When I die, I don’t want to dwindle away. I want to be sideways in the coffin with a glass of champagne in one hand, strawberries in the other and shouting Whoo Hoo, what a ride!!

What is your idea of a good night in?
Spaghetti bolognaise, rosé wine and a tub of Haagen-Dazs ice cream!

Biggest disappointment?
I think that would be taking so long to achieve what I have; I have gone around the houses a bit! I realise that this is a bonus though.

Which period in history would you most like to have lived through?
The Roman Empire, I like the theatrical feel to it and the style of clothes. They appeared to live a life of pure debauchery. Wine, wine and more wine…..!

World’s most useful invention?
The wheel. The flower festival wouldn’t be happening without it!

Any last words?
Funny you should ask… We need people to take part in the gardening competition at the festival. Anyone interested can ring me at Loreto House.



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WISDOM OF THE WORLD WEEK - 15 FOCUSING POWER

In ancient China, a teacher, K’ung Fu-tse, and his followers were on their way to the state of Ch’u. As they emerged from a forest, they came upon a hunchback catching cicadas (winged insects) on the end of a stick as they flew by. “How skilful!” exclaimed the master, stopping to watch. “ Sir, what is your method?”

“At first,” the man answered, “I practised balancing pellets on this stick. After five or six months, I could handle two until they never fell down. Then I failed with only a few of the insects. I went on to three pellets. After that, I only missed one cicada in ten. By the time I could manipulate five pellets, I was catching cicadas without effort.

“When I focus my attention, my body becomes no more than a stump, and my arm the branch of a tree. Heaven and earth are great, and the ten thousand things multiply around me – but I pay no attention to them, only to the wings of the cicadas. My mind does not waver; my body maintains its balance. With such an attitude, how can I fail?”

K’ung Fe-tse turned and said to his disciples, “Remember the saying of old: ‘When one’s will is not distracted, one’s power is increased.’ How well this gentleman demonstrated the truth of that today!”

“No horse gets anywhere until he is harnessed. No steam or gas ever drives anything until it is confined. No Niagra is ever turned into light and power until it is tunnelled. No life ever grows great until it is focused, dedicated, disciplined”

Harry Emerson Fosdick (1878-1969) American Theologian

WISDOM OF THE WORLD WEEK 14 - BUILDING HOUSE

There was a skilled master carpenter who built strong, beautifully finished houses for his employer. His work was renowned throughout the land for its quality. He built with love and patience working painstakingly on all details. However he was nearing his retirement and looking forward to putting his working life behind him. His employer came to him one day and said, “I need you to build one more house for me before you retire”.

The master carpenter started the work but somehow he didn’t feel his usual pride in the work. The site for the home was beautiful; near woods and streams and rich land and resentment started to build up in him. All those years he had been building for others, never having the time or money for his own projects. This time he didn’t use such quality wood, he was careless with the building and didn’t bother about the details. When he had finished the house looked OK but the carpenter knew of the cut corners and shabby workmanship and didn’t care.

He handed over the keys to his employer and was surprised to see all his friends and colleagues there. The employer handed the keys back, “This house is for you for your retirement.” The carpenter realised that his resentment and bitterness had only hurt himself.

REDUCING YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT

“One of the big incentives for moving over to Bio-ethanol fuel is a 50 per cent reduction in VRT, saving you up to €5700 euro on a Saab. The other is the price per litre.” Jeremy Carr –Mulroy Motors

“Everyone loves a wood fire; it really turns a house into a home. Modern wood pellet boilers offer the warmth and comfort of wood heating and are highly efficient, clean burning and totally automatic, saving you time and money”. Darren Collins- Evergreen


“Solar panels can save you up to 70% on your domestic hot water and 30% on overall heating costs”. Chris Maasson.

ECO SUPPLIERS IN THE NORTH WEST (AD FOR THE INISHOWEN INDEPENDENT)
Until recently, finding suppliers of sustainable energy products such as solar panels and wind turbines meant travelling miles or even venturing into Europe. Thankfully now we can find all the eco-products we need in Inishowen and the North West, saving us valuable time and money.

Insulation

Comfort is paramount in our homes, which makes good insulation vitally important. The more heat and energy you retain in the house, the less your fuel bill will be. This saves money and has the added bonus of keeping the CO2 emissions down to an acceptable level.

Patrick Doherty from Insulation Services has been keeping local homes warm for thirty years and knows a few things about insulation. His company caters for both old and new properties. “New houses benefit from cavity wall insulation,” says Patrick. “Older houses might need damp proofing” As well as individual projects, Insulation Services also work for the Education and Health Authorities and have ten million pound sterling public and product liability, which gives the customer total peace of mind. Patrick and his team also treat timber problems ranging from eradicating dry rot to timber preservation.

Wood pellet boilers

Have you ever thought of installing a wood pellet boiler? Maybe now would be the time to make a decision, as there is still time to avail of the grants that are available for homeowners to save money on eco products.

Wood burning is clean, energy efficient and does not contribute to global warming. The boilers are over 25% more efficient than domestic oil and can cost up to 50% less to operate. EirTherm Ltd based in Carrigans, are agents for HERZ wood pellet and wood chip boilers locally and they can provide the complete range of biomass boilers.

Why choose wood?

Wood is environmentally friendly
The carbon dioxide that is released when pellets are burned is the same as the amount the tree consumed when it was growing so it does not contribute to climate change.

Easy and clean to use
Pellet boilers are lit and run automatically, and the modern pellet boilers are self-cleaning.

Safety
Good quality boilers are equipped with a number of safety features including back-burn protection against the risk of fire.

Buying a boiler

Darren Collins from the company Evergreen, based in Killygordon takes the mystery out of buying bio fuel boilers. “To calculate what type of boiler you need there is a simple mathematical calculation” he says. “Times the square footage of your house by 0.8. This will tell you what size Kilowatt boiler to go for” he says “If you have a house with 2000 feet of space then a 15-20 watt system will be ideal.” Darren tells us about the different types of wood:

What are wood pellets?
“Pellets are clean, dry fuels made from a mixture of sawdust and wood shavings. The pellets are smoke free and high in energy.

What are wood chips?
“These are fragments made up from the whole tree. It is similar to the mulch on a garden but a lot more uniform and totally dry”.

What are heat logs?
“Heat logs are like an oversized wood pellet. They are made from managed oak and mahogany.


Logs

Maassen wood log boilers differ from other solid fuel boilers because it burns normal logs. “We work on the basis that every country has the ability to grow their own fuel. This cuts down on transportation costs,” they advise. “An important fact is that timber can be stored outside on the sheltered side of a building and can be exposed to the elements and even with a 20% moisture content still burns efficiently, so no dry storage is required.”


Solar panels and wind turbines

Maassen Sustainable Energy has 25 years experience in alternative power and also do a comprehensive range of solar panels and wind turbines. “The different wind turbine systems we have can be fitted either in new build domestic, commercial or existing buildings. The domestic turbines are noise free,” says Chris Maassen. Wind turbines will play an important role in sustainable energy in the coming years and Inishowen is ideally located to make the most of the technology. “Solar panels can save you up to 70% on your domestic hot water and 30% on overall heating costs. They do not need constant sunshine to be effective and they can be linked in with the existing heating too.”


E85 Fuel

Callaghan’s Motorway stores supply the North West with the new Bio- fuel E85 made from whey or rapeseed oil. “We are seeing a sharp increase of cars using the fuel,” says Dermott Callaghan from Motorway stores. “Saab, Volvo and Ford are all doing the dual–fuel cars and it is easy to see why. The price of E85 fuel is 95 cent per litre compared to €1.25 for unleaded, this means a saving of 27 cent per litre when you drive a car that runs on Bio- fuel - a big saving over the year for the motorist!”

Bio-ethanol fuel –Saab

One of the big incentives for moving over to Bio-ethanol fuel is a 50 per cent reduction in VRT, saving you up to €5700 euro on a Saab. The other is the price per litre. Bio-ethanol fuel contains only 15% unleaded petrol, which makes the price less prone to sudden increases in the oil market.

Jeremy Carr from Mulroy Motors in Letterkenny is also very aware about the reduction in CO2 emissions “When running the Saab 9-3 or 9-5 on E85 Bio-ethanol, fossil CO2 emissions are reduced by up to 80 per cent,” he states

“There is an impressive 20 % gain in brake horse power and 16% growth in torque when the car runs on E85 compared to when running on regular petrol,” Jeremy tells us. “The car also has the ability to run purely on unleaded fuel as well. So if you are far away from a station where you can refill with E85, you will never be left stranded. Changing from one fuel to another doesn’t require any flicking of switches either, you just put the fuel in the tank and go”.

5 MINUTES WITH - SUSAN LOGUE

Susan works as a producer and heavy metal show presenter with Inishowen Community Radio. She joined the ICR team as a volunteer back in 2003 and became a fully-fledged member of staff in 2005. Susan really enjoys the busy and dynamic atmosphere in ICRfm and is loves working in the media.

Susan is currently making some documentaries for the Broadcasting Commission for Ireland (BCI) through ICR. As well as all this she is still finding time to write music and put together band reviews for an American online magazine called SIN.

What have you been downloading on your iPod?
Getting back into 'Down' at the minute, an American heavy metal supergroup. I interviewed them last month and went to see them in the Ambassador last week. They were fantastic.

What would you never throw away?
I never throw anything away, I’m a complete hoarder.

What book are you reading?
I love cheesy horror books and right now I’m reading Stephen Kings 'Rose Madder', definitely not for the faint hearted.

Have you been to the cinema recently, what did you see and was it any good?
The most recent movie I’ve seen was the new 'Rambo' and I have to admit it was fantastic!! Stallone still has it….

What section of the newspaper do you turn to first?
Celebrity gossip pages every time. I research and present the celebrity gossip section on the ENTI programme here at the station on a Saturday afternoon so its a great excuse to read up on all the juicy stories during work.

What is your idea of a good night out?
A few beers in the house with friends, then out to catch some live music then back to a house party until the early hours.

Most embarrassing moment of your life?
I walked into a pole in the middle of a busy street...yes it does happen!!!

What is your idea of a great meal?
With family and friends and a nice bottle of wine..or two.

Have you a favourite TV programme?
It has to be Sopranos, one of the best television shows I’ve ever watched, my dad bought the whole series and now I’m a complete addict!

How do you relax?
With a glass of wine, or a spot of polercise, but not both at the same time…. trust me!


What job did you want to do when you were a child?
I always wanted to be a vet until I saw a cow give birth…. not pretty, and put me right off.

Where would you like to go for your holidays?
A road trip across American in a soft- top Cadillac with good friends and good tunes.

Your idea of heaven?
Getting paid to do something I love.

Your idea of hell?
Having no mobile phone and no Internet.

What famous people would you invite around for dinner and why?
They would all probably be my favourite musicians like Jimmy Bower, Iggy pop, Phil Anselmo, Nick Cave, Dez Farfara, Rob Zombie and Josh Todd….now that would be one hell of a dinner party!

Favourite animal?
I’ve always been a dog person.

Biggest fear?
Getting old!

Biggest thrill?
I recently abseiled 135ft for charity and I’d have to say it was a thrill and a half.

Personal philosophy?
Work hard, party harder.

What is your idea of a good night in?
A good night in would be with my boyfriend and good friends having a drink and a laugh or watching a scary movie.

Which period in history would you most like to have lived through?
Well I know what decade I’d like to have lived through and that’s the 60s for definite….I’m a hippy at heart.

World’s most useful invention?
GHD hair straightners. That’s such a girly thing to say.

Any last words?
Always

SWILLY SUB AQUA CLUB

LOUGH ESKE CASTLE PATIO

SOLIS LOUGH ESKE CASTLE HOTEL

Lough Eske castle before the refurbishment

After

More pics of the patio

Lough Eske Castle traces its roots all the way back to the late 1400’s and the famous O’Donnell family that founded the nearby town of Donegal. The original castle was first built around 1474. A date stone of 1621 remains on the property to this day. The current Lough Eske Castle was constructed in the 1860s on the site of an old Brooke mansion, but was destroyed by fire in 1939.

WISDOM OF THE WORLD - WEEK 13

Photo: Talk 2 me sponsored walk in Buncrana in aid of suicide awareness.

WEALTH BEYOND RICHES

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed that a monk came to his village at midday and gave him a huge precious stone that would enable him to be rich beyond his wildest dreams.

At noon the next day the monk from his dream turned up at his village. The man ran out to meet him. “Where’s the stone? Give me the stone?” the man cried. The monk reached into his sack and took out a diamond; the biggest diamond in the world. It was the size of a human head!

And he said, “Is this the stone you want. I found it in the forest. Here, take it.” The man was delighted; he seized the stone and ran home. But that night, he had a very restless night; he just couldn’t get to sleep at all.

Very early next morning, he went to the where the monk was sleeping under a tree. He woke him up and said, “Here’s your diamond back. Please teach me about the kind of wealth that enables you to give this diamond away!”

5 MINUTES WITH - EMMA BYRON

Emma is currently on a year out from college having finished her HND in Fashion Design. She will be starting her degree in Fine Art in September and in the meantime has been busy using her creative skills in design. Emma has been working for various exhibitions including the Ocular Picnics and most recently has been working with Inishowen Artists, organising their collective venture, which culminated in the launch of their brochure and exhibition in Buncrana.

The aim of Inishowen Artists is to have an ongoing series of events and exhibitions and for the group to develop and grow. Any artist living in Inishowen is welcome to join with all the benefits of being able to share ideas, as well as exhibition space, funding opportunities and marketing.

Emma has three children who are a continual source of inspiration for her. She is also inspired by the environment and works with different mediums including paint, pastels, clay, wood, metal and various other objects to create colourful, textural and at times informative work.

For more information go to the Inishowen artists website: http://www.inishowenartists.com/

What music do you like?
I love all kinds of music. I don’t really have a favourite type as such. At the minute my mp3 has stuff from Black Eyed Peas, Jack Johnson, Metallica, Nine Inch Nails, Muse, Kylie Minogue, Pussycat Dolls, Elvis, James Brown, Andre Bocelli and Maksim Mrvica. If it’s good and I can dance to it, I’ll listen to it.

What would you never throw away?
I try to throw away as little as possible, I can usually find a use for most things, but the things which I couldn’t be without are my family, friends, my art and music.

What book are you reading?
I don’t really read books, I tend to read magazines like the National Geographic and Artists and Illustrators and any interesting articles I come across on the net, usually things which would be inspirational to my work.

What was your favourite childhood game?
I loved anything to do with art and drawing and making things from what ever I could find, but when I wasn’t doing that I was building assault courses or huts in the back garden or cycling with my brothers and friends, always something active.

Have you been to the Cinema recently, what did you see and was it any good?
Last thing I saw at the cinema was “The Golden Compass” with my children. It was brilliant.

What is your idea of a good night out?
I’m not too fussy; as long as the company is good, I’m happy.

Biggest fear?
I think to be incapacitated, being unable to look after my family or myself or doing the things I love.

Biggest thrill?
Ah life itself is thrilling enough for me. There are lots of lovely things each day, which I get a thrill from, seeing or being part of.

Personal philosophy?
LOVE each other….LOVE life....they are each infinitely full of possibility….ENJOY....

What is your idea of a good night in?
A nice hot bath, the candles lit and some nice relaxing music…

Which period in history would you most have liked to have lived through?
Being trained in fashion I’d loved to have been a designer in the 1920’s, and a very wealthy one so I would get the chance to wear a few of the beautiful garments too.

World’s most useful inventions?
Clothes; I’d be freezing and jobless without them. The dishwasher too- it saves so much time and so many fights!

What’s my idea of a great meal?
I love most food, but my idea of a great meal is one that was lovingly prepared just for me. My eldest boy Josh made me scrambled eggs one morning and it was full of shells but I loved it because he made it especially for me.

How do you relax?
I put on some music and I sit and draw.

What job did I want to do as a child?
At first I wanted to be a nurse, but from I was about ten I wanted to be an artist and fashion designer.

Where do you like to go for your holidays?
Somewhere I can explore and have an adventure, I don’t like lying about a pool I’d rather be out taking photos and drawing, or rummaging through some little art gallery or curio shop somewhere.

Your idea of heaven?
Anywhere that has the people that I love.

5 MINUTES WITH - JOHN GORMLEY

Green Party Leader and Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley, takes time out of his busy schedule to talk to us this week. John’s father, Vincent Gormley ran the Ture Inn Public House in Inishowen for many years. John’s uncle, John Gormley still lives in Muff. John has been campaigning on green issues for years and has also been the Lord Mayor of Dublin. John lives in Ringsend in Dublin with his wife and 2 children.

What have you been downloading on your iPod?
My most recent download was the Waterboys – Fisherman’s Blues.

What would you never throw away?
Very little. I tend to hoard and recycle.

What book are you reading?
Robert Dallek’s book on JFK. An Unfinished Life 1917-1963.

What was your favourite childhood game?
Football

Have you been to the cinema recently, what did you see and was it any good?
I saw Once on DVD. It was OK.

What section of the newspaper do you turn to first?
I turn to the letters page.

What is your idea of a good night out?
A good meal in a good restaurant.

Most embarrassing moment of your life?
Too many to mention!

What is your idea of a great meal?
Anything in the Café Paradiso vegetarian restaurant in Cork.

Have you a favourite TV programme?
I’ll watch any rugby on the TV

How do you relax?
Either sleep or read

What job did you want to do when you were a child?
Centre forward with Liverpool

Where would you like to go for your holidays?
Wales (Pembrokeshire)

Your idea of heaven?
Living in total harmony with nature.

Your idea of hell?
Our planet destroyed by climate change.

What famous people would you invite around for dinner and why?
John Lennon (Deceased unfortunately!)

Favourite animal?
Dog.

Biggest fear?
Mental illness.

Biggest thrill?
Getting elected to the Dáil in 1997

What got you into politics in the first place?
I was involved in environmental issues and environmental campaigning for a long time. It was this that eventually led me into politics as I realised that to make changes you had to effectively lobby the Dáil.

The world’s most irritating invention?
Airports.

Personal philosophy?
Don’t let the begrudgers get you down.


What is your idea of a good night in?
Early night with a good book.

Biggest disappointment?
The elections in 1992 – not getting elected.

Which period in history would you most like to have lived through?
1920’s Berlin.

World’s most useful invention?
The pen.

Any last words?
No!

WISDOM OF THE WORLD - WEEK 12

Maybe…

An American Indian Chief was skilled in interpreting events. One day for no reason his horse ran away to the plains. Every-one tried to console him. “What a pity” they said.

“Maybe” the chief replied.

Some months later the horse returned with a splendid wild stallion. “What great fortune” the people congratulated him.

“Maybe” the chief replied.

Their household was richer by a fine horse, which his son loved to ride. One day he fell off and broke his hip. “How sad, ” the people said with pity in their eyes.

“Maybe” the chief replied.

A few weeks later a neighbouring tribe declared war and every able-bodied man went into battle. The tribe lost nine of every ten men. The son was not able to fight because of his injury.

Blessing turns to disaster and disaster to blessing; the changes have no end, nor can the mystery be fathomed.

5 MINUTES WITH - NOELINE HAYLETT

Noëline Haylett lives just outside Westport in County Mayo and originally comes from South Africa. Noëline first came to Ireland in 1978 and works caring for people with special needs. She founded Mayo Animal Welfare, which takes in injured wildlife from all over the country. And, on top of that, she supports a community in Ghana. Her reputation has spread to Inishowen and local people have sponsored orphans and made donations to support her work.

Noëline has been raising money and sending containers out to Ghana for the past twelve years including four ambulances, a bus and a tractor. Known as ‘Mama’ to the locals in Ghana, Noëline has set up a sewing school, a bakery, she has built a school with her SSIA money, several health clinics and bore holes for fresh water. Her next container is being sent out in June and she is hoping to find a boat with an outboard engine to send over to the inhabitants of Dwarf Island. This is located in Lake Volta, the world’s largest man-made lake. Every year a large number of people drown in the small ferry boats that travel to the island. If any-one could donate a boat or lifejackets, or for more information contact Noëline on 09841484

What kind of music do you listen to?
I like ethnic drumming and folk music. But when I am on the move I listen to Marian Finucane on radio 1. I enjoy the human-interest stories and interviews.

What would you never throw away?
I would never throw anything away! If I break a plate I would use the pieces for a mosaic. Everything has its uses and if I can’t use it, someone else can.

What books are you reading?
The life of Edith Stein. Edith was a German Jewess philosopher, who became a Carmelite nun. She became a martyr and saint of the Catholic Church. She died in Auschwitz. In the bathroom I have books on gardening and antiques.

Have you been to the cinema recently?
I have been 5 times in the last 30 years! I was taken to see Happy Feet recently, before that I was taken to see Babe.

What section of the newspaper do you turn to first?
I have no time for reading papers. I use them for wrapping things!

What is your idea of a great night out?
Meeting people and cultivating them to work on the project I run.

What makes a great meal?
Sitting around a campfire in South African bush, roasting large chunks of meat with watermelon. This would be washed down with good strong coffee made on the fire.

How do you relax?
I rarely do -but I have been known to spend two hours in the bath!

What is the world’s most useful invention?
The Swiss army knife. They are even standard issue on space shuttle missions.

What job did you want to do when you were a child?
I wanted to run away to the circus to be a lion tamer. Then I wanted to be a jungle doctor and vet.

Do you go anywhere nice for your holidays?
In 2006 I went over to Ghana to aid the school and borehole building programmes in Ho. Before that I last went away in 1983. With £150 in my pocket I hitchhiked to the Artic, which was a fantastic experience. I slept in boatyards, cemeteries and forests to keep the cost down.

What is your idea of heaven?
I believe in reincarnation so I wouldn’t be there long! I am sure it will be inhabited by animals as well as humans.

What famous people would you invite for dinner?
Nelson Mandela, Ghandi, David Attenborough and Thor Heyerdahl, the adventurer who sailed a raft called Kon-Tiki 4300 miles from South America to the Tuamoto Islands in the Pacific Ocean.

What is your favourite animal?
Dogs and wolves for their loyalty and personality. I have 15 dogs and they are all so different. My favourite animal baby has to be an otter. They are so cute!

What is you biggest fear?
Bicycles, drowning and going blind. I don’t like the thought of being dependent on anyone to get around.

What is your biggest thrill?
Being alive. I nearly died at 26 so every day is a new adventure.

What is the world’s most irritating invention?
Ghetto blasters that play loud music, we don’t want to listen to!

Personal philosophy?
I have three. S**t or get off of the pan, if you think positively, positive things happen and live simply so others may simply live.

What is your idea of a good night in?
Uninterrupted gardening in summer and in winter I like to have a long soak in the bath after all of the animals are fed.

What was your favourite childhood game?
I liked survival games in the bush. I would always have a bag packed full of bandages, dried food, aspirin and a wind up gramophone (with a Strauss LP) I used this for my expeditions and I was always prepared if anyone made a kidnap attempt on us.

Any last words?
I believe in the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of man. Treat others, as you would like to be treated.

WISDOM OF THE WORLD - WEEK 11

Any pleasure

There was a man who died and found himself in a beautiful place, surrounded by every conceivable comfort. A white jacketed man came to him and said, “You may have anything you choose-any food- any pleasure- any kind of entertainment.”

The man was delighted, and for days he sampled all the delicacies and experiences of which he had dreamed on earth. But one day he grew bored with it all, and calling the attendant to him, he said, “I am tired of all this. I need something to do. What kind of work can you give me?”

The attendant sadly shook his head and replied, I’m sorry, sir. That’s the one thing we can’t do for you. There is no work here for you.

To which the man answered, “That’s a fine thing. I might as well be in hell.”

The attendant said softly, “Where do you think you are?”