This was another tree discussed with Robert. Again this Hawthorn raft was looked at from the back as a possible different front. Robert felt that even thought the base was just as nice, the back gave more depth to the composition.
The Front.
The back.
A few flowers this year as well.
I had to drive to Nendrum Monastic Site the other day for a thing in work. My trusty camera is never too far away.
This place dates back to the 7th century when they built this settlement on an Island in Strangford Lough. In 1999 they found the remains of 2 tidal Mills during a dig. It’s a bit out of the way but a lovely spot to visit.
This is a few photos of the road down to the site.
Some info on the site.
The remains of the round tower.
View out towards Skettrick Island.
The Ballydorn Lightship, now the home of Down Cruising Club
The remains of Skettrick Castle.
The remains of the sun dial on the Church. The time was wrong 🙂
The Church
The Tower again, or what’s left of it!
This is what the Tidal Mill used to look like
This is where they were found.
Hope you enjoyed your trip back in time 😉
Managed to stop here for a few minutes the other day just to unwind. My wife Allison can be seen taking in the view on what was a very warm but hazy day. It would appear that only the locals know about this spot. One of these days I’ll have to walk the length of it for a better look.
Also spotted an apple in flower along the path.
Was just reading Mr Warren’s [Trev’s] latest Blog post. Well, a good portion of it was lifted from Colin Lewis but who am I to complain because I’m putting both of them here 🙂
Both gentlemen make a very interesting point about Bonsai Obesity.
Well worth a read , makes you think.
I was looking at a few of my bonsai with Robert last week and as is usual with Robert, he came up with a few other possible options with trees that I have had for many years.
I love it when I get the opportunity to discuss trees like this. It lets you know that you can become complacent with trees that you see every day and you should teach yourself always to look at your bonsai with fresh eyes whenever you can.
One of the ideas that Robert came up with was using the back of this Yew as the possible new front. [hence arse about face :-)] I bought this tree from Robert many years ago and I think he would like it back. Not happening !
Here is the original front as selected by Marco Invernizzi back in 2004 during a workshop.
The tree will be getting some work done sometime this year as a few of the branches are rising and some structural work is required. Sometimes I look at this front and feel there is too much white wood in your face. The base is also boring with a flat section of deadwood and a fat live vein.
Robert suggested that the back might be another option. The base is better and the image looks fuller but still has interest and character. There would need to be some branch adjustments, but I rather like the idea. I now have it turned to this aspect so I can view it from my window and see it every day. The potting angle would need to be changed. As with most trees at this point, there are points for and against the new front. Just need to decide on balance which is the best option. What do you think?
A friend has pointed out that I’ve just hit the 150,000 mark on my blog counter 🙂
Who would have thought
Spotted this field of Rape in flower today near Killyleagh County Down.
Not a great spot to stop the car, but worth it 🙂
At the weekend Stephen, Phil and I put up another tunnel. This one will be referred to in future posts as Stephen’s Tunnel. He wanted to contribute to the collecting process but was unable to put one up in his own garden. He offered to buy a tunnel and for it to go up in my garden. I was thinking of one any way so this worked out for all of us. 🙂
As I had no room at the back of the garden, we put it up at the side of the house where I have a few display stands. The recent removal of my now grown kids trampoline had created space for it.
The proposed site for the tunnel.
Unpacking, note to self, don’t let Phil open the box for the next one! A knife and tunnel cover don’t mix 🙂
Smudge and Rufus giving advice and generally getting in the way.
Another note to self, don’t let Phil play with golf balls [don’t ask!]
Cover going on
Job done
No post with Stephen in it would be complete without the obligatory cup of coffee shot 🙂
All that was left to do was to shift a few of the collected trees into it to allow for more space for access into the 3 tunnels.
On my usual Sunday walk I couldn’t help but notice just how often we came across signs telling us what not to do. I’m aware signs are helpful but I am getting a little tired of being ‘SHOUTED AT’ in capitals everywhere we go. For example….
and this one was kinda hard to miss!!
This was the only one I liked for obvious reasons 🙂
OK rant over, here are some more calming photos taken on the walk.
Wild primrose
Would love to know what this is..
A close up of the flowers
and now for the wildlife, Spotted this Pheasant in a recently planted field.
A Buzzard circling overhead.
Gulls
Mallard Ducks in flight
Hooded Crows
Evil looking crow 🙂
Pied Wagtail
Wood Pigeon
The hardest one of all was trying to capture a photo of a House Martin in flight. These are the only two that look even half right.
and this big fella to finish. He was keeping a close eye on my dogs.
I always thought Ben was a little bonkers 🙂 This photo proves it…
This also proves it, a horse chestnut as a bonsai.
That’s maybe a little unfair of me to say this. Ben inherited this tree from his Grand Father who got him started in bonsai and, as you would expect, he’s rather attached to it. The tree is over 40 years old and has an interesting base. Leaf size can be made smaller and it is already getting there. I can hardly say it’s not suitable as I have plenty of trees that I’m sentimentally attached too and will never sell.
Another one of his Grand Father’s bonsai, this one is a Crab Apple.
Robert gave this one a look over as well. A few ideas for it’s future were discussed.
I thought this was rather funny too 🙂
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