Murmurations!

As dusk fell this evening Elaine noticed a fantastic starling murmuration down the valley

a cloud of starlings race past the full moon

in full flight - this is just part of it

it's hard to grasp the scale of it from a picture

Let There be Light

Here's what we've been at on the other side of the Gallery:

At the end of day one we'd only managed to cut away the blockwork. We new this was going to be tough, but this was hard slog!

Still, we were getting there on day two

what a mess - still - omelettes it is!

By the time We'd finished -there was not a lot left!

this home made lintel was a monster

more than up to the task:  solid iron that nearly had us beat

think we'll stop now...

 The views both down to the Mournes and up to the Dromara Hills are even better than we'd thought 

still snowy

Slievenaboley

this corner will be filled with light

nearly ready for these - 2 doors and 6 windows - it's exciting!

High and Low

You never know what sights will greet you up here in Benraw

Holy Moly!

Well, the time has come to bite the bullet, pick up the big beast and cut the holes for the windows in the gallery

The Beast

helpfully - and scarily it states that it spins at 4700 

needs more light

the plan is to cut holes for the door and two windows, to  make something like this:

the plan

We started with two cuts by the existing door, (terrible work!) and began to knock out the concrete blocks that make up the wall. As bits that we didn't want came crashing down round our feet, it became obvious that subtlety was not the answer.
So we took out the whole wall!

well, that's that sorted

How many holes are we meant to have?

the fireplace in all its glory

here's hoping for many sunny mornings like this

and this is the view

Rain Stops Play

not going out in that!

Well today was wet and windy - it has rained for 24 hours now. 
So no tree planting. Although the 140 that were planted yesterday will be well settled in! 
Thanks to all those who were to come up and help today - the rest will keep for a few days!

Tree Planting Day 1

Thanks so much to the crack teams of tree planters who came today to help put in the 194 trees that we picked up yesterday from the Clandeboye Estate.

the day dawns

snow on Bernagh, but only frost down here!

Charlie watching and waiting

getting organised

the first Oak tree goes in!

ready for action

a blackthorn hedge small - but perfectly formed!

planting the Hazel Grove

Charlie supervising as ever!

in the thick of it

We have planted a fantastic 140 trees!

Looking forward to tomorrow - full report and more pictures then!

Trees!

Just Ordered 194 bare rooted native trees from the Conservation Volunteers 


at Clandeboye

Picking them up on Friday


Anyone fancy tree planting this weekend? - free food and drink supplied!

A Fireplace

The Gallery will need some heat, and an internal focus, so we decided to put in a wood burning stove like the one in the Turnip House Studio, but this time put in a fireplace to hold it

first of all a brick and concrete plinth

building the pillars

two headers from the door recycled to form the top

installing the flue

applying the render

finished

stove installed and dressed for Christmas!

The Gallery

In keeping with our recycle philosophy or 'make do and mend' we are in the process of rehabilitating a barn at the back of the site.

first sight - not very promising!

When we first saw it it had lost some of the roof, and the walls were damaged, but after careful consideration, we could see that this could be a great space for display, teaching and tea room. 

at least there was more of the roof this side

It makes no sense to spend a lot of effort and fuel demolishing this, creating a mountain of rubble for landfill, when with a bit of TLC and creativity it can serve our needs well.


The views are stunning as ever: up to Slievenaboley and the Windy Gap,

Slievenaboley; and cow

across the valley to the river and beyond, 

the river in flood November 2010

and down the hill to the Majestic Mournes.

It's alignment means that for most of the year the rising sun will shine through the front windows, and the setting sun those at the back.
What's more, tidying this part of the site up would go a long way to improving the visual quality of the place.


Work In Progress. In pictures:

roof replaced, unsightly gable removed, toilet roofed

from further back

2012 To Do List!

We're into our second New Year here in Benraw, and our thought are on what we plan to do this year.


Our Project continues to inspire, daunt, and delight in equal measure, and a morning 'tour of the estate' brings plenty of ideas, energy and enthusiasm to be getting on.


Here is a notional 'to do' list (from today's perspective anyway) for the next couple of months


Outside 

• complete vegetable garden - planting has already started!
• clear the loose compost heap and remaining rubble
• plant more trees - we're going to buy 130 native tree 'whips' from The Conservation Volunteers in Clandeboy
• clear the American thorns from the front garden and seed more grass and lavender
• start the greenhouse
• create the composting toilet

Gallery

• replace doors and windows 
• finish the floor
• begin fit out
• clear surroundings of rubble, etc.
• create easy access

House

• finish clear out of lower floor
• conserve artefacts and furniture

Meanwhile, we are still open at the weekends, and other times by appointment, you're welcome to come and see what's happening.

So - watch this space - pictures to follow!