The High Line New York: A Year in Pictures

A Year in Pictures

We haven't travelled the world a lot - mainly because of our choice to work and live as we do. In some ways that is a regret.

One place we did get to in 2005 was New York - so different from our 'rural idyll' yet so appealing. A delight and inspiration, which was a surprise! I have been following the developments of the high line - a really amazing adoption of space by people. If you want to see more, look at this slideshow and the website.

Ghosts

Slieve Donard and Commedagh

Sean Lennon on John Lennon: 'My dad was one of a kind' | News | NME.COM

Do you remember where you were when you heard the news?

I was a student at Leeds University living near to the Headingley Cricket Ground, in a house of 13 students and 'associates'.

I remember waking up to the news. It was particularly poignant and immediate as he had been so high profile with the radio 1 interviews and the upcoming release of his first album in ?? years.

We all just went to the bar. The world was never the same.

Sean Lennon on John Lennon: 'My dad was one of a kind' | News | NME.COM

Winter Animals

Like most of the UK winter has a grip on the land.

This morning we woke up to temperatures of -5 C and the sun was beaming brightly. I've not seen such a day since I was in Austria 35 years ago.

Our various creatures are doing their best to get what they need to survive.

One of two robins share the garden

Molly in a winter wonderland - I don't think she is all that impressed!

Furby: "I'm cold and I want in NOW!"

A Great Tit garnering much needed energy from the peanuts

A Blue Tit sits in the queue!

I know there's grass here somewhere

The ground has been frozen for over a week now;
the ice crystals have grown so big they look like diamonds sown across the field

Charlie: I can be a pony too!

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

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

The silhouetted trees against the mist down the valley

two red kites swooping in the twilight

'snow devils' on Commedagh

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

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.

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 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!

Elaine, Eleanor and Kate: Ready for action!

I've got my Pudsey!

It's been a long, happy day

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:

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

Our frequent companion - The Red Kite

You can find the Windy gap pad Here:


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Mournes by SamCampbell

Looks familiar!

Mournes by SamCampbell

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!

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:

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!

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

no mountains but a parade of great trees

 Today saw a change - with blue skies and razor sharp light:

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.

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