It is the time of the equinox as the sun rise and sunset is almost the same time – technically it occurs on 20 March. Many festivals fall at this time of year. Mothers’ Day, St Patrick’s and Easter all happen around the vernal equinox and elsewhere interesting holidays include the Persian new year, Nowruz, …
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Category:Home and Garden
BT Notes – Spring
Spring is breaking out and the mood is changing. After some proper winter weather snow drops bloomed, and now the daffodils are beginning. They should be on full display for St Patrick’s day. As people get used to a new kind of economic dynamic and the complaints about bankers and politicians become old news (though …
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BT Notes – A time of new beginnings
One of the highlights during our holidays was the Walk in the Woods. It was amazing – we had over 50 people from about 7 months to over 70 years old, tramping through the woods and along the river beat. Afterwards we enjoyed hot chocolate, hot wine and some cake and biscuits. It was great …
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BT Notes – The end of the year.
The end of the year is just passing now. The winter solstice occurs at about noon (GMT) today (21 December). That’s the nadir of the solar cycle, when the angle of the sun is most acute on the axis of rotation of the earth. Today is the shortest day of the year in the northern …
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BT Notes November – economic crisis – ecological crisis …
November started with recovery from our Halloween party which we always enjoy. Despite several days of rain before, we managed to light a bonfire which kept burning for a couple of days – warm enough to roast marshmallows on two days later. On the night marshmallows were roasted on the BarBQ. Thanks to everyone who …
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BT Notes October – change, parties, …
October is a lovely time of year for all sorts of reasons. The colours of nature in our temperate climate are changing as Autumn peaks. Leaves of beech turn gold then brown, maple red then drop, the oaks hang on to their green a little longer. As leaves fall you can begin to see through …
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BT Notes – Organics?, Solar cycle, Yoga, The Shed …
September was marked by Organic Week in Ireland. It was encouraging to see broad media coverage and growing awareness among people. Even Lidl had a special promotion selling organics at 1/3 to 1/2 off – milk and eggs were cheaper than regular product so it was an opportunity to try them. And there was lots …
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BT Notes August – Tullow’s dying, potatoes, the Irish Green Gathering …
While I can’t resist commenting on the weather, I’ll resist for a moment because something sad is happening in Tullow, our local town. It is dying. Tesco, the UK supermarket mega-group, opened a large store a month ago and already all traders in the centre of town are feeling it. Whether its the other supermarkets, …
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BT Notes – It’s summer!?!
Its summer! Though some days it seems more like monsoon season. At least it’s not too cold. Though warm humid weather can be very bad for potatoes – July and August is when blight risk is high. I’ve got my fingers crossed since the potatoes look pretty good at the moment. In fact the garden …
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BT Notes May
Here in Ireland the everyday greeting usually has something to do with the weather. Partly that’s because of the rural population and the importance of agriculture in culture, but also because of the extraordinary variability of daily weather. It is not unusual to hear a weather forecast of “sun, with rain” and temperature fluctuations of …
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