An Organic Lifestyle (Organic Growing Pains)

Blarney St Patrick's day parade drew a huge crowd to the village, the parade was supported by all the neighbouring parishes and there was a great buzz as the participants took up their stations.We were in position no 36 and there was quite a few behind us. The sun shone throughout apart from one light shower just before the parade took off. There were 2 raised beds on the trailer and a pergola, 2 scarecrows were suspended from the top and various garden implements. All available personnel were out early to prepare the float (trailer)!Julie was busy with the paint brush and Michael was putting the pergola together In the foreground are the various bits the rest of us were gathering to fill the raised beds etc. Scotty driving the jeep with some of the allotmenteers behind. The balloons are actually vegetable shaped but it is hard to see them in the photo. The motley crew behind with garden implements, wheelbarrow etc, Willow the german shepherd is sporting a tricolour ribbon for the...

Our allotment group walking behind our colourful 'float' in the village of Blarney for the St Patrick's Day parade AND it won the 2nd of 3 prizes!! Blarney held its first parade last year after a lapse of about 25 years and this was our first time taking part. I was amazed at the huge turnout along the main street, there must have been a few thousand people clapping and cheering.There was a farmer's & craft market set up in the village square with bouncy castles etc for the children. The weather was bright and dry despite a mixed weather forecast. This morning early in the Hydro farm barn it was all hands on deck to get the float prepared.As it was representing a garden most of the produce had to be bought fresh and only arranged at the last minute.I say bought because at this time of year we don't have fresh produce ourselves, but the idea was to show people what can be grown locally either at home or on an allotment Zwena had lots of photos of produce and even...

Happy St Patrick's Day to everyone far and near. It is our national Saints day tomorrow 17th March. It is a Bank Holiday in Ireland with all the schools off. Parades will be held in villages and towns all over the country with the biggest and most spectacular being held in Dublin our capital city. Our parade here in Cork has American astronaut Dan Tani as our Grand Marshall,his wife is an Irish girl from Kinsale in Co Cork. It looks like being one of the best days weather wise for years! Sunshine and temps of up to 13% Celsius are being forecast.I remember being at the parade for the Cork 800 in 1988, this was the celebration of the 800th anniversary of our city getting its charter and it snowed ! It is usually windy,wet and/or freezing cold and the little children marching are blue with the cold. A link here you can check out the myths and legends of St Patrick.If you see a picture of the Saint he usually has a sprig of shamrock in his hand and he is standing on a serpent (snake)...