How the time flies. It's September and about time to bring this Garden Thing up to date. I know many web sites are up-dated on a monthly , some times even a weekly, basis. Frankly I don't know how people can manage this and run a garden. Probably, they have three full time gardeners and a half dozen web managers to do the work. This outfit here in  South-West Ireland, covers almost three acres and is done entirely by the gardener and myself---------that's not totally correct: we did have a couple of wwoofers for a few weeks last year. If you have not heard of wwoofers, you should find out about them. 

We were delighted to have several groups from "New" countries this year. Early June a delightful group from SLOVENIA visited. Unfortunately the weather was a bit unkind on that day but it did not deter a wonderful 90 year old Slovenian lady from sprinting around the place like a hare.

Later in the month, a big group from AUSTRALIA dropped in for a few hours. They were delighted to see many of their native plants doing well on this side of the world. Then, on the last day of June a lovely group from SWEDEN visited. The day was sunny and the tide was in, so they seemed to enjoy themselves.  

The two things we like to have for visitors to the garden, is to have the tide in and the sun shining. It makes the whole place more attractive. Naturally, we have absolutely no control over either of them.

We had return visits from groups from Holland, England and France, as well as some Irish garden clubs.

Another first this year was a wedding of a couple who live in the locality. Well, not quite the wedding, rather the wedding photographs were taken in the garden. Good wishes to Eamon and Karen, the charming bride and groom.

Yet another first: for many years I have been trying to take a good photograph of a plant called CHONDRO PETALUM which is thriving near the sea wall. The gardener tells me it is  a RESTIO.  It was much admired by the Flying Gardener presenter, Chris Beardshaw. I have never been able to get a good picture of it. In August along came a visitor, whose name is Carol Friend. As she was taking a photograph of it, I mentioned the fact that I had never been successful in getting a useable picture of it and if she did so, would she be kind enough to send it to me. I had said the same thing to many other visitors before, so I expected to hear no more. Then, in early September I got an email containing the first decent picture of it. Thanks Carol Friend-------you are aptly named.

And the above is not the only one. The one at top of page is hers and below are two more she took. I do not know  if  Carol Friend is a professional photographer, but if she is not, she could be. See how she even got my boat in. That what I call a professionally taken photograph.

ABOVE:  Picture includes Autumn Monkshead, Red Penstemon, Verbascum, Banksia,  Cornus Colourata, Golden Bamboo and my boat

                                                     Eriginum Sp. and Gladiola Patilliom.(?)

All this goes to show (Show me anyway) that life is always rewarding if one shares one's thoughts with others. 

 I have just reread that last sentence and I think that is not what I mean. For example, if I shared my thoughts with some (Please note I said "Some") of the visitors to this garden, one or all of the following would ensue:

A. Legal action,   B. Assault,   C. Fist fights,  D. Foul language,  E. Civic unrest, F. Personal Harm.

But then, as I am always pointing out, I am not a gardener.

To try to clear up this bit, this is what I meant to say, if for years you are trying to get a good picture of a CHONDRO PETALUM and are having no success, throw your camera on the compost heap and ask Carol Friend to do it for you.

Just to show that I am not a total idiot with the camera and that this is not the Carol Friend Promotional  Web Site, below is a picture of a RICINUS COMMUNIS I took.

This RINICUS plant is really the Castor Oil plant and grows to a height of 40 feet in its native Africa. Its height in West Cork, Ireland is about four feet, so it has a lot of growing to do if it is going to make a statement about global warming. Anyone under 50 will not know that castor oil was a part of the upbringing of young children years ago. Kept the body "regular", the parents said. Castor Oil and Syrup of Figs and a little later the dreaded "Brooklax". As I shudder with childhood memories, I wonder does the modern child even have bowel movements.

The picture below is yet another view showing how close to the sea this garden is. Carol Friend did NOT take this one.

The two round brown things are very old metal buoys, used before plastic was invented. If you look closely, to the right of them, you will see some stones at the edge of the gravel. Let me tell you about them: the postman arrives here every morning at about eleven. He delivers the daily paper as well as the post, which is great. The only thing is,  he is always in a hurry and does what appears to be a "Handbrake turn" as he drives out. Gravel flies onto the lawn as a result and I have to pick it off. The gardener removed the six inch nails so I devised the sharp- -stones- trick in an effort to keep his van away from the grass. Now I have to pick sharp stones AND gravel from the lawn. If I complain he might not deliver the paper anymore.

That's it--------the 2005 update is done. I promise I will try to update more often in the future. Honestly, I always mean to do so.

A Seaside Garden  2001 Update &Pics  2003 News  About the Garden  JUNE 2004  Links and help  Plant List  More pictures  More pictures  Garden Pictures  Plant of the week  Places Nearby  UPDATE FOR 2002  2006 Update    2006 Update                              2006 update:part 2