Revenge on the Cold Callers

We all suffer the nuisance of telephone sales people, cold calling on behalf of all sorts of companies. A guy called Richard Herman has got one over on these pests. Click on the hyperlink and have a look at how he made one company pay for not listening to what he was telling them...    http://www.saynotocoldcalls.com

New Railway Bridge Nearing Completion

The new railway bridge funded as part of the Sustrans initiative is fast approaching completion. The contractors have been pulling out all tyhe stops to get it ready for the grand opening in November.
It is indeed very pretty bridge with easy access for pedestrians and cyclists alike. Wheelchair users and parents with prams will now be able to gain access much more easily than before.
The residents of the houses on the other side of the park wishing to walk to the town will have greatly improved; across park, over the bridge and straight up mainstreet. Likewise those from the town side wanting to walk up to the Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre will be able to stroll uninterupted without the need to go near the main road.
The only thing is, it may be a bit glitzy and out of keeping with the rest of the town! No doubt with time it will fit in perfectly. In fact it may lead to the rest of the town getting a bit of a scrub up; the main street is looking a wee bit tired at the moment.
Here are some snaps of the work in progress....

Have been doodling a bit with acrylic paint recently as an antidote to the stress of commuting and the sundry vicissitudes of life. This image of the Celtic eagle intrigued me and I had a go at reproducing it.

Apparently, in Celtic stories the Eagle (Iolair, Fireun) is a bird noted for wisdom and long life. The eagle represents swiftness, strength, keen sight, and the knowledge of magic. It helps you to see hidden spiritual truths. The bird is considered a bridge between the worlds- this world, earth and water. Birds are also viewed as symbols of bearer of messages.

Buttons Barrels and Bows.

This trio of accomplished musicians gave a wonderful concert of traditional and contemporary folk music in Ballymoney Town Hall on Wednesday the 24th March. Consisting of Caoimhín Ó’Raghallaigh on fiddle/hardanger fiddle,Catherine McEvoy (flute & whistle) & Micheál Ó’Raghallaigh (concertina) the trio kept the full house entertained with two hours worth of music of a very high standard. The hardanger fiddle in particular produced a lovely sound.

To get some more info about Caoimhín Ó’Raghallaigh and his fiddle music have a look here: http://www.stateofchassis.com/

To check what is on in Ballymoney:
http://www.visitballymoney.com/

Email:  townhall@ballymoney.gov.uk

Good citizen vs 'Disaffected yoof'

A couple of Sundays ago whilst walking the dog in glorious sunshine we were greeted by the smell of burning grass as we entered the park. It transpired that a small group of youths were trying to set light to a large patch of undergrowth next to the river. By the time we had arrived at the scene the little twerps were legging it across the level crossing and heading up the town. A public spirited jogger had chased them off and was in the process of extinguishing the fire; cleverly using a large sheet of plywood as a means of smothering the fire. He flipped the sheet of wood over and over and quickly had the fire under control. Mortimer's contribution was limited to tramping on a couple of small flames which were trying to reignite at the edge of the fence. The public spirited runner then jogged off along the fitness towards the forested end of the park next to Trolans.

Didn't have the camera on me at the time so couldn't record the actions or our good citizen but took a snap later to record the small amount of damage done by our 'disaffected yoofs'...

Even the sun is cold....

At least the days are starting to get longer and soon the snow will melt and the warmth return..... please.

Icicles on the coast

It is rare to see water remaining frozen so close the the north channel. It is especially rare to have icicles remaining in situ on the chalk face for such a considerable time.

Might have to change to bright yellow balls!

Our little bit of heaven on the north coast (RPGC) is out of action due to the snow. It is rare for a links course so close to the sea to be out of action or suffering from perma-frozen turf for so long.
The third hole has been using a temporary green for some time as the green staff refurbish the surface. Recently it has been looking lush green and coming along nicely for the new season. At the moment it is like all the rest... frozen.

Sport abandonded because of snow...

The pitches at the Joey Dunlop Centre - Riada Stadium are looking very deserted with the perma-frozen subsoil and a blanket of snow preventing the games going ahead.

The Big Freeze