They are starlings flying to their roosting site we think - but not sure where that is. Anyone know?
The sight is amazing, but not as mind blowing as these on the BBC Website:
BBC - Earth News - How starling flocks create their aerobatic displays
A blog of events ideas and thoughts from Turnip House - a craft business in the Mourne Mountains
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
A Murmuration of Starlings
We are seeing huge flocks of birds flying roughly East to West across the sky at sunset - where are they going?
They are starlings flying to their roosting site we think - but not sure where that is. Anyone know?
The sight is amazing, but not as mind blowing as these on the BBC Website:
BBC - Earth News - How starling flocks create their aerobatic displays
They are starlings flying to their roosting site we think - but not sure where that is. Anyone know?
The sight is amazing, but not as mind blowing as these on the BBC Website:
BBC - Earth News - How starling flocks create their aerobatic displays
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Snow Scenes
We had temperatures on minus 9 degrees C last night - one of the coldest November on record. What a time to be living in a mobile home!
Still, our water did NOT freeze,and the insulation round the caravan helped to make it a reasonable night - so all us well - at the moment.
Our reward is the stunning snow scene
Still, our water did NOT freeze,and the insulation round the caravan helped to make it a reasonable night - so all us well - at the moment.
Our reward is the stunning snow scene
 |
| The silhouetted trees against the mist down the valley |
 |
| two red kites swooping in the twilight |
 |
| 'snow devils' on Commedagh |
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Early Snows
Like many other places we've had an early start to the cold weather, with temperatures as low as minus 3 degrees C at night.
Not as much snow as many others though, but we had enough last night to transform the Mournes
Not as much snow as many others though, but we had enough last night to transform the Mournes
Friday, November 19, 2010
Textures
I've been meaning to catalogue the delights of our place - like the doors blog in September.
The structures and materials are a source of intrigue and delight; the construction, wear and decay has left a unique record of place.
This is hopefully just an early montage of what it means to me.
The structures and materials are a source of intrigue and delight; the construction, wear and decay has left a unique record of place.
This is hopefully just an early montage of what it means to me.
Flood!
On Tuesday evening we had torrential rain - all night, We woke to a river running through the front garden - and into the kitchen. It's not that there is any work done to the house as yet, but it still is scary to see even more potential damage.
The water was flowing from the road - running down like a river.
Nothing to do but get stuck in and try to divert the water away form the house, and into the drains.
An hour of soaking, cold work and all was well - and still not as bad as barrowing stones up the Trassey Lane!
Pictures a bit burred - it was v. early and I was feeling a bit blurred myself!
The water was flowing from the road - running down like a river.
Nothing to do but get stuck in and try to divert the water away form the house, and into the drains.
An hour of soaking, cold work and all was well - and still not as bad as barrowing stones up the Trassey Lane!
Pictures a bit burred - it was v. early and I was feeling a bit blurred myself!
 |
| The River |
 |
| The Flood |
 |
| In Through The Front Door! |
 |
| The river at the bottom of our filed - in full flood |
Children In Need
Well done to all of Elaine's Helen O'Grady Drama Academy Studio stars who raised £442 for Children In Need this week.
We were taking our part - wearing the spots!
We were taking our part - wearing the spots!
 |
| Elaine, Eleanor and Kate: Ready for action! |
 |
| I've got my Pudsey! |
 |
| It's been a long, happy day |
Monday, November 15, 2010
The Windy Gap Pad
Recently we went for a Sunday walk!
Not something we've done for quite a while what with one thing and another(!)
The Windy Gap, a nick in Slievenaboley Mountain is 1.1 miles up the hill from us. There are spectacular views of the County Down countryside in every direction.
It was a bright sharp day. we were well rewarded for our efforts:
Not something we've done for quite a while what with one thing and another(!)
The Windy Gap, a nick in Slievenaboley Mountain is 1.1 miles up the hill from us. There are spectacular views of the County Down countryside in every direction.
It was a bright sharp day. we were well rewarded for our efforts:
 |
| looking across mid Down towards County Armagh |
 |
| Fantastic clouds looming over the Dromara Hills |
 |
| The Windy Gap Pad |
 |
| Cave Hill, beyond Belfast |
 |
| The Distant Mournes against the horizon |
 |
| A patchwork of fields - and an unusual view of Legananny Dolmen |
Mournes by SamCampbell
Looks familiar!
I have a Google alert for 'Mournes' and this came up today - check out this picture of the Mournes by Sam Campbell - beautiful
Not a bad job on the house either!
Saturday, October 16, 2010
New Dawn, New Flowerbed
This morning we woke up to this:
So instead of making a door for the washroom - exciting but more or less indoors, we made a flower bed in the garden (first find or make your garden!)
The Magnolia that we planted last week has lead to a place to put bulbs a and summer flowers.
Here's the result; we are very chuffed! Small beginnings but what a difference:
So instead of making a door for the washroom - exciting but more or less indoors, we made a flower bed in the garden (first find or make your garden!)
The Magnolia that we planted last week has lead to a place to put bulbs a and summer flowers.
Here's the result; we are very chuffed! Small beginnings but what a difference:
 |
| Feels like a bit of home |
 |
| Our 25th Anniversary Magnolia |
 |
| the pipes in the foreground are the temporary water supply and pump power |
 |
| Charlie stressing out again! |
Monday, October 11, 2010
The Clear October Air
We've had days of mist and low visibility - no mountains, but every change in the view brings forward new parts to observe, that would be hidden or overwhelmed at other times
Today saw a change - with blue skies and razor sharp light:
 |
| no mountains but a parade of great trees |
 |
| This morning - a misty start had intimations of the beautiful day to come |
 |
| Our new neighbours enjoying some October sun! |
 |
| Trees on the slope above show signs of Autumn |
 |
| Sunset - cold and sharp |
 |
| good omens for tomorrow |
Plants
Our pots of flowers and shrubs have been carefully nurtured up at Clonachullion many thanks to Mary & Daniel.
We are beginning to move them across to their new home, and already can feel the difference a bit of greenery can bring.
We are beginning to move them across to their new home, and already can feel the difference a bit of greenery can bring.
 |
| together again! we've put them in the shelter of the house for the moment |
 |
| Our own friend the robin supervises from the roof. I hope he treads carefully - that slate has no visible means of support! |
 |
| We bought this Magnolia Stellata for our 25th wedding present, now planted again in its new home - looks like it was made for it |
 |
| a glimpse down the valley |
Wednesday, October 06, 2010
The Front Garden
the weather has been fine and warm these last couple of days, and we've taken the opportunity of some 'casual' hard labour - a bit of indulgence in the front garden
You remember it was coming right out of the gates when we arrived, well now we can get from one of the side gates to the front door: after many many wheelbarrows of soil, nettles bramble and ivy.
You remember it was coming right out of the gates when we arrived, well now we can get from one of the side gates to the front door: after many many wheelbarrows of soil, nettles bramble and ivy.
 |
| the view through the gate |
 |
| looking back |
 |
| that little red flower covers everything |
We have found some remnants of plants still surviving after 30 or more years of neglect, notably climbing roses, ferns and grasses. Who knows what else?
 |
| Slieve Donard and |Commedagh majestic in cloud |
Tiggy
Tiggy - our timid and vaguely hedgehog like cat, has made an appearance outside for the first time in 7 months!
Which pleases us no end and and assuages our guilt a wee bit after taking her out of her comfort zone!
Which pleases us no end and and assuages our guilt a wee bit after taking her out of her comfort zone!
 |
| Furby and Tiggy - at large at last! |
Sunday, October 03, 2010
Eleanor
Just as we thought we were beginning to get settled, Eleanor and Kate where whisked off to hospital again, as she was not gaining weight.
But after a few anxious nights, all is well, and we are back together again!
But after a few anxious nights, all is well, and we are back together again!
 |
| Home at last! |
 |
| The end of a very good day |
The Cats arrive
We packed some more of our bags and 'left' Newcastle on Thursday (Leaving will be a pretty long drawn out process we feel!)
The two remaining cats Furby and Tiggy came along too - both have settled in fine - tiggy in her retrest of the chicken shed, and Furby out on the range:
Meanwhile, Charlie keeps a weather eye:
The two remaining cats Furby and Tiggy came along too - both have settled in fine - tiggy in her retrest of the chicken shed, and Furby out on the range:
 |
| in his element! |
Friday, October 01, 2010
Catch Up - what have we been up to?
Well how remiss to not post for so many days - that's not the point of a blog I know, but We have an excuse dear reader. We are now Grandparents! Read on for more ...
Diary of events at Turnip House for the last xxx days
8 September Strapping Down
Christy and Paddy levelled and strapped down the mobile - really skilful and patient work turned our tin box on wheels into a potential home! Now we can begin to fit out inside
 |
| belts and braces - we're not going anywhere! |
9 September Decorators`
Painting all day - finished in the evening; now looking really good
 |
| clean - and bright |
10 September - Road cutter
We have to run electricity to the mobile - and the recommended way is underground, for safety. All that lies between us and underground is an indeterminate depth of concrete. So, we got road cutter delivered from Duggans Hire Centre Maghera, and John and Niall set about cutting groove for electicity and telephone wire
- great concrete! all we need now is a Kangol Hammer!
11 September
The concrete was so good - 5 inches thick in places, that plan A to prise the stuff away with cold chisel and wrecking bar was a no hoper. So, Duggans to the rescue - Kangol Hammer duly arrived. Kangolled all day - trench now ready....
That night we stayed in the mobile home- Our first meal at home - Beef stroganoff and Champ with bubbly - superb!
Spent the night, cold and a bit damp but exhilarated
12 September
A day (mostly) of rest. Repaired guttering on mobile home - should be drier now!
Garden planning begins (more to follow)
 |
| Our Inspiration |
13 September moving again!
We brought some of our old furniture from it's home of 6 months in Rathfriland, brilliant to see it once more the right way up and in place!
Kate taken in to hospital - now the pressure is on!
14 September
all a blur, seem to remember lots of travelling, and snatched food
15 September
likewise
 |
| spent alot of time round here - the rainbow presages momentous events |
- electricity connected
- telephone and broadband connected
- Eleanor born
 |
| Elaine and Eleanor, day1 |
17 September
Back in the ordinary world, we got the fridge installed plus more 'things' from Rathfriland!
18 September
Visiting
19 September
Breakfast at home
Brought Kate and Eleanor out of hospital
20 September
Connected waste pipes;
Eleanor's first visit home splendid!
21 September - The Outbuildings
We are lucky to have a legacy of many farm buildings - in many shapes and sizes and various stages of decay, from 'OK' to "look out"!
Adjacent to the Turnip house are the piggeries the ones with the beautiful iron 'pig proof doors'. These will do us fine for shed and washroom type needs.
Today We cut a doorway for washroom access at the back of piggery no. 2. We hired (thanks to Duggans) a diamond tipped saw to glide through the concrete block, but puny as I am, I could not get the thing started! So resorting the the favoured tool of the trade - sledgehammer- I battered my way through without too much trouble. At least this block work was not of the same standard as the concrete yard!
 |
| what - another door? |
22 September
'Real' work for John and Elaine - no visit to site!
23 September new water pump installed
The well looks so good, that we thought we would try using it first (with obvious precautions regarding it's purity).
So we bought a water pump from Combined Harvesters - This sits suspended in the well and turns on when a tap is opened, and off when the flow stops. It is electronically controlled, with self priming, overheat and dry protection and seems to be more or less 'fit and forget' Niall and John spend the day installing it, and now we have water in the home!
A few leaks and kitchen tap to sort out, but that's another step complete. All services (except gas) now ready.
 |
| get your water from the well - old and new style |
24 September
To Armagh to register Eleanor - and also to pick up new taps for kitchen!
26 September Castle Vets
Castle Veterinary practice in Castlewellan celebrated their 20th year today - we were invited to exhibit our produce. A great day was had by all, perfect 'garden party' weather with plenty of fun and craic, loads of people for Eleanor to be shown off too!
 |
| fire on the mountain, Sunday morning |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)