A Dramatic start to August

Today is the first day of August.

This evening we're sitting outside after another full day at the Gallery (wonderful!) talking about what's in store this month - more of which to follow.

Meanwhile, our Magnificent Mournes present us with a portentous vista:

High Summer

It's hard to believe that we're at the end of out 3rd week of 'Summer Hours' - open every day.

The time as flown by, filled with exciting visitors and events.

With more to come, not least the Benraw Creative Convivium on 23-25 August and temperature, at the moment of 25 degrees C this could be the hottest summer so far!

Here's some pics of Summer in Benraw and a little bit beyond:

campers at the 30th birthday party we hosted

band - and garden

Glastongerry!

Elaine & Kay

Good Vibes!

The scene this Monday morning - fantastic

redcurrant harvest

the garden and the mountains

this flowerbed has taken on a wonderful life of it's own

sunflowers beginning; foxgloves ending

pots at the Gallery entrance

the view back home to the Dromara Hills from Newcastle - at sunset on Wednesday

the terrace form the old tank

new flowerbeds

Thanks to Paul & Caroline, we are almost finished

Lavender barrow

Ernie - our latest addition to the team!

Panorama of the new Terrace. Without the sterling effort of our friends, this would have been an insurmountable effort - thanks to Paul & Caroline et al!

High Summer

Celery in the raised beds - wow!

June 2014

As we prepare to leave our patch and go to our daughter Kate's' Graduation in Cambridge, I thought we should give you a glimpse of the last few weeks here at Turnip House. It's been amazing!

mists and mountains

happy workers on the new wet  felt room

a welcome visit from the Fire service- for tea and cake thankfully!

in the magnificent tipi at Lackan Farm

poly tunnels abundant with growth at Lackan Farm

Eleanor 

in the vegetable gardens

amazing creativity at a felt workshop

Happy feltmakers

new born swallows - picture taken under licence from NIEA

Delphiniums, mountains, amazing

true blues

Eleanor and Charlie - chilling out!

Summer evening

at Newcastle Playgroup Graduation

Moth in the grass

Solstice Sundown

Happy Hen Party

Beautiful paintings in the Gallery

after the Solstice party

the best view from a toilet!

Charlie on his lawn

Lackan Cottage Farm

Not far from here there is an amazing place.

Steve and Claire at Lackan Cottage Farm near Ballyroney are on a wonderful journey, rejuvenating an abandoned smallholding in the heart of the Mournes Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, creating a permaculture smallholding, low impact home and Eco teaching centre. 

We went down with Eleanor this morning. It is a delight and inspiration! 

You can get involved and help too, by supporting with the build of the eco classroom - for you help you will be well rewarded!

find out here:

Hear are some pictures from today:

beautifully green

Steve

inside the tipi

the tipi 

polytunnels, abundant growing spaces

onions

inside the large polytunnel

fruit in the polytunnell already

straight from the plant!

great recycled milk cartons!

outside - Artichoke

abundant veg garden

artichoke onions and garlic

a glimpse of Lackan Cottage

The Tipi

The Fire Pit

ever present - the Mournes

wild flowers on the compost toilet

International 'free / vacant' symbol!

eco built

heritage domestic architecure - wonderful