Today’s pick is a very well constructed post from the Bonsai Tonight Blog.
Tag Archives: Northern Ireland
Odds and Sods
Here are a few photos that I’ve taken over the last week or so that didn’t fit into any particular post. I still felt the urge to share.
First up, Ballywalter Beach, keep swimming and you hit Scotland.
Flowers on a recent walk along the Comber Greenway into Belfast.
guess 🙂
Blog Post of the Day
Most days I flick through all the new posts from the blogs I follow on google reader. There is usually something of note there worth reading or at the very least, contains some great photographs.
I have decided that sharing my favourite posts here would be a great way of introducing others to new blogs.
So, starting today, whenever I get a chance, I’ll add a link here directing you to my favourite blog post of the day.
First up is a post about air layering. I’ve been looking at this in some detail over the last year or so and found this one interesting. Not least because the photos are mine 😉 I should mention it’s in Dutch, but as I use google Chrome with Google Translate on auto, it always appears in English for me. Why limit your blogging to English Blogs!! Here’s the link…
Air Layering a Hawthorn
Pine Sawfly Larvae
I spotted this clump of Pine Sawfly Larvae on one of my recently collected Scots Pines yesterday. I had planned to spray everything this weekend but this encouraged me to spray everything in the garden there and then.
I’m taking no chances from now on after losing the apex of one of my best trees due to an insect attack this year!
EBA 2012 Video
This was kindly linked to me on Facebook, thought it was worth linking here for your enjoyment.
Looks like a great show, the organisers show be proud. Well done.
All Aboard the Skylark
I took a walk with family members along the Floodgates footpath in Ards last Saturday. I promised my sister that we would see a Skylark. I was starting to panic when we eventually spotted one singing on the up before it floated down to the ground again. And then, would you believe it, we nearly tripped over one on the pathway!
A few other birds about too. Spotted this Reed Bunting, not often seen in my area, at least by me!
Shelducks
Unidentified by me, poor photo too but I was hoping someone would know what it was. There was 5 of them bouncing about from bush to bush. Any ideas?
Kestrel hoovering over the path.
Some of the views.
Tides out, way out!
Plenty of air traffic popping into the local airport right beside the path.
Cotoneaster Air Layer Roots
I lifted this little air layer up to check on its progress. I was delighted to see that it appears to be growing strongly.
This is the parent plant after a trim. This year will see the apex filling out to replace the removed layer.
Josh’s Bonsai Garden
Had a little trip over to Josh’s garden during the week to see his trees. Robert, Phil and Stephen and I made an evening of it. Bonsai and Fly Fishing dominated the discussion 🙂
Here’s a little video clip put together showing the photos from the evening and a few video clips threw in for good measure.
Titanic Belfast
I have family home from Australia at the moment and they are visiting some of N. Ireland’s best sights. On Wednesday we all went to Titanic Belfast recently open on the exact site were the Titanic was built and launched 100 years ago. Here are some of my photos from the day.
The entrance sign
Also known as the big TIT 🙂
The actual building, designed to look like the prow of the ship
Some of the signs on display at the entrance to the exhibit showing the political situation in Ireland at the time. Northern Ireland didn’t come into existence until 1922 when partition took place.
My wife pointing out on the big map where her Dad was born, Coniston Street Belfast.
A lot of family pointing going on.
The Big H&W for Harland and Wolff the shipyard owners.
An example of a First Class Cabin
Second Class
Steerage cabin
A view overlooking the site of Titanic’s launch into Belfast Lough. This was the site of the Arrel gantry built to enable two massive ships to be built side by side. the one to the left is where the Titanic was launched and the Olympic was launched on the right. Seven men fell to their death from the 270 foot high gantry.
Had a laugh at this book.
I really enjoyed the exhibit which was very interactive and was packed with information.
We also got to see the original drawing offices where the plans where made for the Titanic. It is about to be renovated to become part of the Titanic Quarter attractions. A beautiful old building and my favourite part of the day.
The hardest working vacuum cleaner in Ireland. Plaster and paint flaking off everywhere.
Original Door glass at the reception area
Office view overlooking the iconic cranes of Belfast docks.
My wife Allison taking it all in.
Amazing old staircase in the drawing office.
and a great feed in the Dirty Duck afterwards 🙂
The Other Elm
This is the other Shohin Cork Bark Elm that I’ve been working on. Strong growth this Spring and it was time for a trim back to produce further ramification on the right parts of the tree.
The moss is a real pain in the Arse on this one!
This is another little Chinese Elm that was salvaged for a few quid from a local store. I really am a sucker for a sad case. It’s now a lot smaller that it started out and it needed another trim.
Bonsai Eejit 