Saturday 8 March 2008

Tree-planting On Gibb's Island


It wasn't half windy today, nor am I referring to the Indian meal last night; incidentally I find the Patak's cans of Korma sauce very good indeed. Great value and spicy. The wind I allude to was at Gibb's Island which is somewhat exposed to the elements. Six of us were in attendance today and we planted lots of pine saplings in the wood.

After lunch, we planted hawthorn saplings along the old stone wall. Craig showed me a picture of the bothy at Salt Island, which I really look forward to staying at later this year. Can't wait to return for the great outdoors, cosy log fires, restoratives and good crack.

The tide today was exceptionally high, so much so that Gibb's was a genuine island whilst we were on it! Eric's Land-Rover made light work of that. We collected plenty of large logs for the fire at Terinichol: are you lighting a fire tonight Laura? We weren't hedging, as expected, today so I didn't get a chance to use my big chopper.

6 comments :

Anonymous said...

Hiya Tim! Managed to find your blog with ease and delighted to be mentioned! Didn't have a fire because I was out last night - but look forward to one tonight! Keep up the good work! Laura

Timothy Belmont said...

Dear Laura,perhaps you'll light one tonight: it seems quite nippy today. 5c after that hail shower! Love Tim.

Anonymous said...

Are you aware of the DELAMONT PK Viking Centre? Plans were lodged for a Banqueting Hall seating 152, educational workshops, stores, tarmac, reedbed sewerage, security and lighting and so on. All very close to Gibbs Island and very prominent.

Also, surprise surprise... a new Pontoon jetty at Midge Island for the Viking boats to come in..

All securely fenced and Health and Safety`d Rather like LONG KESH BY THE SEA .

Vigorous opposition from local Greens etc. in DOWN RECORDER columns. Don`t miss the fight.

Timothy Belmont said...

Thanks for letting me know; wasn't aware of that at all. I'll mention it to the Warden.

Tim

Anonymous said...

Also, spare a thought for the poor fish in the Quoile Pondage which meets the sea opposite Gibbs Island.
There is now so much sewage leaking from Downpatrick water treatment plant that during last week`s spate, a surge of liquid poison came down the stream into the Pondage. Unfortunately a high tide then backed up into the Pondage. This being cold and heavier than the river water it caused the natural diffusion to break down and thousands of fish were so distressed that they were washed out to sea on the falling tide. The Greens made some videos of this on downgreens website.

NIEA aka EHS are aware of the problem, have been aware for some time, powerless to deal with it.

Timothy Belmont said...

Sounds as if NI Water is, yet again, culpable. Disgraceful; about time the Minister kicked a few butts hard, as our American friends might say.