Hello beloved ones, this will be a rather quick post. I have no pictures to show yet, but loads of stories to tell, which I will tell on a different post. This is just to let you know that we are doing fine, that Eastern Europe is fantastic and that I shall post something better shortly. PROMISE!!!
Love,
JB
Friday, February 27, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Trellis, Snow and Curraghchase
News, news, news! Aside from getting ready for departure in less than a week, I have been moderately busy with a really neat house job; building a trellis that is! I honestly believe that
I have undertaken a similar task before, but I'm not sure. Regardless, I have been working on this yoke for about a week now and, with Jack's help, it's starting to look quite nice. I must remark the fact that the weather has been absolutely abnormal for the past few days. Sunny, dry and warmish mornings followed by overcast, but dry, afternoons!
When finished, it shall span the entire back yard and add about 60 cm of height to the back wall. Here are some pictures to show the progress so far.
Dara observing greatness in progress.
Securing the trellis and rocking on.
Starting to resemble a trellis.
In case you were wondering, I can safely say that I've made it from scratch. The wall on which it sits is basically stone (not the easiest thing to drill through!) and mortar. The support timber entails 1x3s and the criss-crossed timer is 1x2s. The most time consuming part was to weather treat (two coats) and paint (two coats as well) the timber; taking around 3 days to do so.
On the other hand, the toughest part was to drill through the solid stone and screw in place the supporting timber; the later is since the wall might very well be 2,000 years old, allowing for dangerously unleveled sections. So, unless my intentions were for the trellis to look like a roller coaster, I had to very patiently level every single support. The rest was to, systematically, put up the criss-crossed part; which may seem as very time consuming, but it was loads of fun!
Needless to say, I'm not done yet; nonetheless, rest assured that the completed project shall be properly documented!
To my surprise, I have come to learn that it really doesn't snow much at all in Ireland. In particular, it hasn't properly snowed in Limerick for about 7 years. This all changed a few weeks ago when Mother Nature surprised us with a late-night flurry; absolutely beautiful! It lasted for about 2 hours, then stopped and it was all gone in the morning :(
Driveway and onwards.
Back yard.
I have undertaken a similar task before, but I'm not sure. Regardless, I have been working on this yoke for about a week now and, with Jack's help, it's starting to look quite nice. I must remark the fact that the weather has been absolutely abnormal for the past few days. Sunny, dry and warmish mornings followed by overcast, but dry, afternoons!
When finished, it shall span the entire back yard and add about 60 cm of height to the back wall. Here are some pictures to show the progress so far.
Dara observing greatness in progress.
Securing the trellis and rocking on.
Starting to resemble a trellis.On the other hand, the toughest part was to drill through the solid stone and screw in place the supporting timber; the later is since the wall might very well be 2,000 years old, allowing for dangerously unleveled sections. So, unless my intentions were for the trellis to look like a roller coaster, I had to very patiently level every single support. The rest was to, systematically, put up the criss-crossed part; which may seem as very time consuming, but it was loads of fun!
Needless to say, I'm not done yet; nonetheless, rest assured that the completed project shall be properly documented!
To my surprise, I have come to learn that it really doesn't snow much at all in Ireland. In particular, it hasn't properly snowed in Limerick for about 7 years. This all changed a few weeks ago when Mother Nature surprised us with a late-night flurry; absolutely beautiful! It lasted for about 2 hours, then stopped and it was all gone in the morning :(
Driveway and onwards.
Back yard.Finally, the last topic; Ellen decided to take me for a grand day out and the place of choice was Curraghchase (a recreational park that dwells on the outskirts of Limerick). This amenity, within the ambiance of a Coillte Forest park, incorporates forest walks, nature trails, gardens and the ruins of Curragh Chase House, the 18th century home of poet Aubrey deVere. It is, also, home to an Araucaria Araucana! It seems that the Irish are quite obsessed with Araucarias, this is not the first place I've encountered one in Ireland. Apparently, Araucarias were introduced to Ireland in 1850, and have been quite popular ever since; they can be easily encountered in many backyards and universities around Ireland.
Anyhow, this park is literally plagued with playgrounds, which proved to be loads of fun for Ms. Murphy!
That yoke was so sound!
deVere's former home.
The trees that border the footpath are poisonous! Seriously!
I hope you can read the sign behind me (click on the picture to enlarge!)
Anyhow, this park is literally plagued with playgrounds, which proved to be loads of fun for Ms. Murphy!
That yoke was so sound!
deVere's former home.
The trees that border the footpath are poisonous! Seriously!
I hope you can read the sign behind me (click on the picture to enlarge!)Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Update!
Hello folks, I hope this dreadful winter weather is treating everyone as kindly as possible!
NEWS! Ellen and I bought 2 one-way tickets to Bucharest! This flight is due on the 19th of February. We have decided to, as for now, play our trip by-ear. Nonetheless, we have in mind to visit, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Albania, Greece, Turkey, Montenegro, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary and Austria; added to the home of Bucharest, Romania.
The return date will be up to our monetary funds, a month or two. Who knows!
It seems that Hellen, a very good friend of Ellen, will meet us in Bucharest for a good few days of travels. I promise as much blogging as I can, but I'm not entirely sure of easy it's to surf the web on Eastern Europe.
One last thing, I will humbly receive any type of advice or tips anyone might be able to give us.
Love,
me
NEWS! Ellen and I bought 2 one-way tickets to Bucharest! This flight is due on the 19th of February. We have decided to, as for now, play our trip by-ear. Nonetheless, we have in mind to visit, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Albania, Greece, Turkey, Montenegro, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary and Austria; added to the home of Bucharest, Romania.
The return date will be up to our monetary funds, a month or two. Who knows!
It seems that Hellen, a very good friend of Ellen, will meet us in Bucharest for a good few days of travels. I promise as much blogging as I can, but I'm not entirely sure of easy it's to surf the web on Eastern Europe.
One last thing, I will humbly receive any type of advice or tips anyone might be able to give us.
Love,
me
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