Vehicles of Yesteryear at Mount Stewart

Had a great time at Mount Stewart on Sunday, busy - and dry!

Much admired all the cars - real classics much loved.

It is on every year - Highly recommended!

arranged in front of the Grand entrance

lovely colour!

that's an unusual configuration

MG

a BEM

ditto

clean lines

plenty of crowds

immaculate

Morris Traveller - the best!

Our effort was rewarded by plenty of customers and new contacts

Making Sweaters

We are at Mount Stewart again on Sunday 19th of June 

(and so the workshop will be CLOSED, sorry)

for the Vehicles of yesteryear event.

we've been making sweaters and felt bags all week - great fun, especially as it's kept us out of the rain!

'themed' sweaters

hanging up to dry in the washroom

as the rain finally stopped on Friday night, the mountains were wreathed in mist.

Weather Data for May

Well it's half way through June I know, but for Bloomsday, I thought I'd offer you
 May's weather statistics for here in Benraw.


A very different picture to April!



Met Éireann states:

Depressions over the Atlantic were the main influence on Ireland’s weather during the month of May, giving generally unsettled weather across the country with very strong winds at times. The start of the month was relatively warm and dry, with almost all of the highest temperatures for the month recorded in the first week. These maximum temperatures were some of the lowest May maxima recorded in recent years, however; Mullingar’s highest value of only 17.3°C was its lowest for May since 1972.

Check the link on the right to access them any time

fruits of the land

After our friend Jan thought at the weekend that the large patch of ground near the lawn was our potato patch. In fact it is a load of nettles - it was finally time to act!

the nettle patch - not a pretty sight

We had sown a box of 'red flowers' on the bare earth in May, but a combination of chickens and stony ground left no trace of them. The nettles however, thrived as ever.

So we decided to dig up those nettles and make a formal bed. An afternoon's work perhaps - think again

Firstly, the nettles have been there for about 20 years, and were not giving up easily.

Secondly this is the tip of an enormous pile of stones, left when the threshing barn was bulldozed, before our time.

This made for a stubborn combination, requiring much brute force, using the stone spike (a long very heavy iron pole used for levering out the stones - many thanks to Frank for the lend of it!) leaving aching muscles and a distinct 'going off gardening' moment.

That was yesterday, after a glass of wine and a nights sleep, the more positive aspects appeared: they are lovely stones, and make a perfect edge.

more than 35 stones were dug out

it's stones all the way down!

they are useful though

At garden centre prices we've earned ourselves about £200! 

Based on that bit of false accounting, we went off plant shopping!

 we bought: 

• astilbe
• hypericum
• dahlia
• hebe
• cosmos
• osteospermum
• erysimum

and planted of our own:

• pyrethra
• dog wood
• physocarpus
• pyracantha

All in place - 25 plants, better when they get big

the chickens were great assistants - eating all the grubs

By the end of day two we were done, all the plant we put in are perennials and shrubs, so every year they will (hopefully) give us increasing displays.

much better now

The Picnic Lawn

The forecast was set fair for this morning, so we planned to mow the 'lawn' (it's getting there!) and create paths around the field.


Went down to our good friends Duggan Plant Hire in Maghera looking for a mower and a brush cutter. When we said what we were doing, the guy said "what about a flail?" Once seen - it was a no brainer!

all tooled up and ready to go!

Not very green to get in all this petrol guzzling hardware, but we have to start somewhere, and aim to reduce our inputs as and when we can.

the lawn is smoother already!

wait till you see what this beast can do!

over 4 feet of nettles - first cut

the garden paths take shape

incredible munching power!

After nine months of walking the field, we've begun to mark out the shape of things to come. All at once it now becomes a place, not just a field. Areas delineated by the paths now suggest themselves, as tree glade, wild flower meadow or fruit garden.

Now we feel we really have begun the garden project. Here's to the next 20 years!

new ground for the chickens

we've now got six layers ....

and a magnificent cockerel!

A path less travelled

We sit in the Dromara Hills looking down at the Mountains of Mourne a few miles away (we're actually 9 miles from the Trassey Valley, where we were before) and it feels like a place apart, with it's expansive views.


But we're really only 45 minutes from the centre of Belfast if you take the road over the windy gap to Dromara, Hillsborough and the on to the A1.


It's only 37 miles from Newcastle to Belfast if you travel this route. So if you're in the Mournes or coming down to Newcastle, why not vary your route there or back, and drop in and see us?

Summer Comes to Benraw

Since building the barbecue it's not stopped raining and being cold and stormy!


Just as we were beginning to believe in hubris, a spell of brilliant weather, and a chance to get out of an evening and enjoy some grilled food.

This is a real picture - a sunshade for Eleanor, and...  Benraw meets Honolulu!

Eleanor amongst the new flowers, in her newest dress

Kate and Eleanor

what a sight!

food al fresco, as it's meant to be, including freshly picked salad from our neighbour Margaret - perfect

Felt Workshops

Now that we've got the workshop up and running, we're able to host some of Elaine's popular felt making workshops here at Turnip house Benraw.


Many thanks to Down Arts for commissioning us to do them up to now.


The workshops are for small groups of up to 6 people, run from 11am to 3pm and include lunch and all materials.


you will be guided on how to create fantastic felt pieces from wool fibres such as 

• flowers
• bags
• hats
• textile art
• vases 

The cost is £25 per person, including lunch and  materials.

The dates for the next workshops are:

• 25 June
• 16 July
• 30 July
• 13 August
• 27 August

There are places available on all dates at the moment.

if you would like to come, please email Elaine on info@turniphouse.com 

Or phone 028 4065 0848

Here's a selection of what has been made at previous workshops

Last Days of May

Lots going on - workshop open each weekend now,

 it's a good feeling. 

The weather is cold and windy - put a halt to the composting toilet, 

but we'll be back. 

Just a few shots from the last few days - a taste of what happening!

evening rainbows - makes the rain all the more worthwhile!

plants bought at Mount Stewart - still waiting for a calm day!

meanwhile Eleanor is now 8 months old - this is her first swing!

Mount Stewart 2011

This Saturday and Sunday we will be at the Mount Stewart Grand Garden and Craft Fair.


Mount Stewart is one of the finest of many National Trust properties around here.


well worth a visit any time, but particularly this weekend


We will be open at home as usual (Kate and Eleanor are in charge)

Charlie will be there!

Tir Na Nog - the burial ground of the Londonderrys

there is always a spectacular show of colour

inside Tir Na Nog

The watchtower