The first NI Bonsai Society School of the year started with a very good turnout on a cold February day. As usual Peter Snart was our guest speaker. The schedule for the day included a general discussion on personal trees and winter experiences and as usual was very interesting. This was followed with some refresher information on wiring and re-potting and even though many would consider this “Old Hat” or “Novice Territory” Peter gave some very useful tips particularly on the subject of preparation when re-potting.

Its always nice to get a pic of Peter looking bemused and non-plussed. It’s never that difficult to get one.

His more intelligent look. This can be quite difficult to get.

Viewing the merchandise at the break

There was a bit of a drama at the break as the handle/lock on Ian’s patio door broke when the door was closed. As this is the main…

Here is the start of our Sunday Workshop. As alway Peter talks through everyones tree, or trees, that are to be worked on.

It might not look like it, but I can’t wait to get started.

And this is why. My latest acquisition a Japanese Mountain maple in a Clumpstyle.The tree need a repot so this was my,very pleasant, workshop tree.

This is the tree back home the next morning. I will be posting more on this tree over the next few days. But a great weekend, both the school on sat and the sunday workshop. Many thanks to Ian for hosting the school-workshop,and to peter-Willowbog Bonsai for all his effort and his teaching.

Well it really was a great show this year; well to be truthful it is a great show every year. I cannot really imagine just how much work Paul and his team of helpers has to do before opening the doors.

I actually exhibited myself this year. After all these years being interested in Bonsai I had a tree included in a professional event. My first! Seemed quite odd really watching people taking pictures of my exhibit, and to some extent quite humbling really. Well, the time flew by, meeting friends of old and many new ones as well. I managed to keep my hands in my pocket but could not resist a new Tony Remington pot for ‘Stumpy.’ That is the Maple I dug up a few years ago from the garden. I’ll update once I repot in a couple of weeks time.

Oh well, enough waffle; I hope…