Dec 26 2012

Disappearing Bit by Bit

This old tree is a bit of a landmark if you live in Bangor County Down. It can be seen from the road when travelling from Bangor to Holywood. It’s in a now famous field as Rihanna cavorted around in it during the Summer and got told off by a local farmer 🙂

Michael over on his futterwithtrees blog photographed it back in December 2011 but as you can see, recent storms have reduced the tree even further.

This is Michaels shot last year

and mine from last weekend

Dec 22 2012

Larch Group For Sale

I brought this Group of 3 larch in for a trim back yesterday. I had planned to split the group perhaps create a bigger scene, but trying to source extra trees with the same quality of bark and ramification has proved a chore. I have therefore decided to sell the group over the next few months. I have had my fun with it but want to give my time to other trees and projects. The 3 larch all came from the wild in Scotland and have great quality bark. The rock element in this landscape was collected from Lough Corrib and has great character. The pot is Walsall Ceramics.

Before trim

This was it with Autumn colour last Autumn.

Last Winter

Back in 1997 when I first put it together.

Back in 2000 when I tried it on slate for a while.

Close up of the Corrib Rock element.

If anyone is interested in buying this, just drop me an email bonsaieejit@gmail.com.

Dec 19 2012

Image

Trees…..

Dec 17 2012

Large Old Trees at Risk

Mr Snart, posted a link to this article on Facebook yesterday and I thought it was worth sharing. Click on the image to read.

Dec 13 2012

Where The Mountains Of Mourne Sweep Down to the Sea

Photo-shopped panoramic photo showing the Mourne Mountains from Dundrum, County Down.

I realise that it’s a bit small here, so click on the image to see a bigger version.

I was working down that way on Monday and stopped not long after sunrise to take a few snaps.

Dec 12 2012

Winter Protection

I held off as long as I could, but over the last few days have popped most of my trees into cover for the Winter.

Empty Display Benches

This is where everything is hiding.

Dec 11 2012

Merry Christmas Belfast…. NOT

A few weeks ago I was walking around the fantastic Christmas Market in the grounds of Belfast City Hall soaking up the festive spirit and stuffing my face with all sorts of good food. I took this photo of the sign that captured the moment.

Sadly this has come to a end. How this country can self destruct so quickly is beyond me. I hate politics, racism, sectarianism.

What am I talking about? This sign pictured above overlooked a riot at the weekend. The market was closed after being wrecked. This Fact File from the BBC will fill you in.

I grew up on one side of the religious divide in Northern Ireland and my best friend as a child was from the other side. I know who I am, I don’t need help with my identity, I never really understood the need for this tribalism. Some people need to step back and think about what really matters in life. This photo says it all, the two opposing flags side by side in Afghanistan were soldiers from both sides in Northern Ireland fight together. It’s who got your back that matters, not what flag they fly.