Grannymar

While checking my Calendar, I realise a very special friend has a birthday today. In fact I have reason to celebrate a total of eight birthdays in the month of May and they are all Girls. I light a candle for each one in turn and think about them all through the day. I start on 4th and move on through 6th, 12th,15th, 17th, 21th, 23rd and 27th.

So gather round everyone and join me in the singing as we wish Many Happy Returns to:

Jen, Elly, Alice, Alice, Steph, Charlotte, Rose and Aline. May your day be special and remember that…

It is not how old you are, but how you are old. ~ Jules Renard

;)  I have given you a clue…  Now who can guess who has a special day today? 

Every week is interesting. The fact that I wake up each day is worth celebrating. Elly may not want to celebrate, but I do. So what was different about this week?

9^th May

Ruth from Ruth’s Kitchen Experiments and from Ruth E blog emailed me

I got an email from a man who works for a marketing company who was involved in the Enjoy the Taste of Scotland event I was recently at in Glasgow. He is wanting to meet with some food bloggers in the general area of Ulster or beyond this Thursday evening (somewhere in Belfast I assume). I know you aren’t stricly a food blogger but I thought you may be interested. Are you free to come and meet up? Or just interested in hearing more? Get in touch and let me know. Free drinks included!

Hi Ruth,
Thanks for thinking of me. That meet up sounds interesting and I would love to tag along. All my trips to Belfast are planned nowadays and depend on my energy levels so all invitation acceptances have an ‘if’ factor!
Can you tell me where the gathering will be, ease of parking is a must as some days pain levels prevent me walking any distance. You really can’t judge a book by its cover! Inside my head I am 30, only wish the body would agree!

I look forward to more details.

Grannymar

Hi thanks for getting back to me so quickly!

I’ve still to confirm the details with the guy (Craig) but as soon as I do I’ll be in touch. However he’ll probably ask for suggestions of places to meet - is there somewhere in particular you would prefer for parking etc?

Ruth

I replied suggesting 4 possible venues all with plenty of space and free parking, then sat back to await developments!

13^th May

Hi Ruth,
Any update on the meet-up this Thursday?
Grannymar

Hi Grannymar, Proposed location and time:

Kitchen Bar, Belfast at 7pm on Thursday

That suit ok? There’s parking nearby in Victoria Square.

Ruth

Ruth you are rather light on details for the Foodie gathering…

• Are there many going
• Are there bloggers that I know
• What format will the evening take
• How will we find each other
• Will we be having a meal

At this stage I only know to look for a lady called Ruth and a Man called Craig. They are both common names in these parts. That might be fine for 20 somethings but I like to know what I’m doing and where I’m going.
Most of the Bloggie meet-ups that I have attended down south, have had a spacific area pre-selected or marker e.g. Helium Balloons to make the link up easier.
I am not familiar with the new Victoria Square or how to reach the car parking, but will try to find out before Thursday. Any further details would be appreciated.

Sorry Grannymar.

People who are going are yourself, myself, Craig McGill (the marketing guy) and Niall Harbison from iFoods. It’s just a meet up for drinks, no meal unfortunately. Not sure what “format” will be other than a few drinks and a chat about whatever Craig is wanting to talk about, sorry.

As for a sign of where we are (good idea by the way) I’m not sure what to do… if I was to say I’ll be wearing a green/blue t shirt with a white cardigan would that help? Or if there was a paper bouquet of flowers on the table would that be better?

My mobile number is 07XXXXXXXXX if you’re lost or can’t find us.

Also I meant to say if you’re wanting to bring Elly (or anyone else for that matter) along by all means do!

14^th May

Hi Ruth,
Thanks for getting back to me last night. I have taken note of your number. The idea of a paper bouquet on the table is a good idea or a Helium Balloon or two - visible from across the room. Is the bar on ground floor only or is there more than one floor, if so which will we be on?
Are there no other Foodie Bloggers in NI, or are they just not available? It will be disappointing for Craig if so few turn up.
Elly would certainly love to come But she is living and working in Dublin. You know the routine long hours at work, newly married and preparing for a move to her new home in the next few weeks. Her spare time right now is spent packing boxes, boxes and even more boxes! I only hope she doesn’t fall into one.
At this point I look forward to meeting you tomorrow night.

4.19pm

To Craig, Grannymar, Niall Harbison

Hi excuse this brief email (I’m sending this from my phone) but I’ll
email with more details later tonight.
I’ve had to change the location of tomorrows meeting to Brownes on
Boucher Road. Same time -7.30pm.
I’ll email again tonight with more details but please reply to let me
know you got this email.
Ruth

4.21pm

Hi Grannymar…. just wanted to reply to some of the things you said here too.

The bar is on the ground floor, with lots of parking just outside the door. And as I said in the other email I sent a few minutes ago that I’ll have a red helium balloon to mark the table.

I had emailed about 8 or 9 people, a few food journalists based in Dublin too, most of whom either had something on, have kids that they couldn’t get a babysitter for, or just live too far from Belfast to travel on a weeknight. All of them were very interested to hear what it is about so I will be following up and emailing them on Friday. Craig isn’t too worried though, he’s just pleased to meet with some people about it and get the ball rolling.

I didn’t realise Elly was Dublin based. I take it she’s moving within Dublin?

I also am looking forward to the meet up tomorrow night and meeting some fellow bloggers

Craig McGill to Ruth, Grannymar, Niall Harbison

Cool. See you then on Thursday night. I’m on mobile 07XXX-XXX-XXX as well.

Grannymar to Ruth

So we have a change of time as well as venue.

To Craig, Grannymar, Niall Harbison

its just been pointed out that the time is different from the original
time. Sorry had a ‘blonde’ moment and thought original time was 7.30.
So the time has changed too then
Meeting at 7.30 at Brownes on Boucher Road.
I’ll still email tonight with more details. Ruth

14^th May 11:46 PM,

OK to fill you in on the details now…. sorry it’s so late, got home from work an hour ago and just finished dinner.

Well to explain the change in location - I had discovered our original location was having a bit of a gig and thought that may not be the best location for having a conversation etc. So I ended up being in Brownes today and thought it may be good as a new location, close to the motorway, quite central to Belfast and has parking outside.

I’ve also been able to book a table there (under my own name - Ruth Elkin) for 7.30pm. Seeing as most of us have never met I will have a red helium balloon with me to mark our table and help you all work out where we will be.

I’m hoping to be there from about 7/7.15pm in case anyone wants to be early etc.

I’m looking forward to meeting everyone! It’s great to be able to meet some fellow bloggers.

Sorry for all the changes and last minute information.

If you need anymore information or have any other questions please send me an email and I’ll do my best to answer them.

Ruth

Thanks Ruth,
That is all very clear now. I look forward to seeing you this evening. I have a note of your and Craig’s mobiles in my phone in case I have any problems, hopefully I won’t need to use them.

Craig McGill to Ruth, Grannymar, Niall Harbison

Ruth I think you’ve done a fantastic job in pulling this off – and good thinking on the venue change! See you then!

11.16am

HI Guys

Very sorry but have just been asked to record interview with RTE this evening so will have to cancel! Feel bad about that!

Make sure to let me know when the next one of these is and perhaps we could even make it a monthly thing where all bloggers meet up for food/drinks?

Apologies again for the short notice.

Regards

Niall

Craig McGill to Niall, Ruth, Grannymar

Niall, not a worry. If I had *cough* something to send you regarding an event in Northern Ireland coming soon, I take it would go to the address below yes?

Ruth to Craig, Grannymar, Niall

Sounds very exciting niall! Oh the celebrity life! Lol
We’ll make sure you’re clued into whats going on.
Also may have another blogger joining us tonight: coursework depending.

Well I made it to Brownes and met Craig and Ruth, Just the three of us.

We chatted easily with plenty of references to ‘A Taste of Scotland’ in Glasgow, that Craig’s company organised and Ruth attended a few weeks ago. The reason for the meeting was to talk about holding a similar event promoting ‘A Taste of Ulster’ here in Belfast. Balmoral Showgrounds, Tescos, Bloggers, Journalists and Ulster Tatler were all mentioned. Craig treated us to drinks (non-alcoholic since we were driving) and finger food.

Craig gave Ruth and I a DVD of ‘The Taste of Scotland’ so we would have an idea of what it was all about….

My DVD was blank.

I did manage with the help of a magnifying glass to work out the website address:

http://www.denvirgroup.com/home.aspx

Have a look and tell me what you think, I’m not sure if Tesco is a client of Denvir, or Denvir is a client of Tescos.

I am not sure why I was invited; I am not really a Food Blogger or a native of Ulster. I did ask Ruth who she had contacted and apart from Alan in Belfast the names were not known to me. I did ask Ruth if she contacted Deborah, she said yes but had no reply. Deborah please take a look at your junk mail and let me know.

I was also surprised that Ruth had not Twittered or blogged on either of her blogs about the meeting tonight! I never found out what the *cough* was all about in Craig’s email to Niall “If I had *cough* something to send you regarding an event in Northern Ireland coming soon, I take it would go to the address below yes?” Hardly a blank DVD!

Strange!

Young Molly asked her mum, ‘Mum, may I take the dog for a walk around the block?’ Mum replies, ‘No, because she is in heat.’

‘What’s that mean?’ asked the child.

‘Go ask your father. I think he’s in the garage.’

Molly goes to the garage and says, ‘Dad, may I take Phoebe for a walk around the block? I asked Mum, but she was in heat, and to come to you.’

Dad said, ‘Bring Phoebe over here Molly.’ He took a rag, soaked it in petrol, and scrubbed the dog’s tail end with it to disguise the scent, and said

‘OK, you can go now, but keep Phoebe on the leash and only go once around the block.’

The little girl left and returned a few minutes later with no dog on the leash. Surprised, dad asked, ‘Where’s Phoebe?’

The little girl said, ‘She ran out of petrol about half way round the block, so another dog is pushing her home.’

This is my very first experiment at taking moving pictures so take a pew, pass round the popcorn and sit back and enjoy!

Nancy no tissues needed for this one unless it is in utter despair!

Do you think I’ll make Cannes next year?

This topic has buzzed about inside my head like a nagging tooth for several months now. Lying in bed the other night during a power cut I listened to the radio through tiny earphones attached to my mobile phone. It was the jolt needed to pull it together.

My mobile is a Nokia 6610i, still giving faithful service after three years. It measures 10.5 x 4.5 x 2cms. I tucked it under my pillow to stop it slipping down the back of my bed, Tissues, reading glasses - the spare ones for reading in bed, my phone and medication have at times found their way through that tiny space. The bed is heavy and pulling it out is an activity endured only when necessary.

It is a far cry from the radio we listened to when I was growing up many years ago. That radio was a piece of furniture, an unmoveable feast! The first time I actually realised this was at secondary school, one of my class mates was talking about how she lost the radio. She searched the house for it before finding it under the bed! Our radio was larger and heavier than a family sized Microwave. It lived on top of Daddy’s desk in the alcove beside the fire. Daddy’s chair was always within arms reach of it. No way could you lose it or fit it under a bed!

The radio is still about although it has not worked for years. Brother No.2 took it when Daddy died with the hope of finding parts and getting it going once more. Unable to find the items required and not wanting to part with this token of our /his past, it sat in his mini museum alongside his other treasures of an earlier life. Slowly over the years it has moved along the shelf until finally it was relegated to a high shelf in the utility room where it sits today looking forlorn and unloved.

This radio arrived all bright and shining to our home as a wedding present for my mum and dad in 1941. There was a choice of wavelengths; long, medium and short. My earliest memories are of Radio Eireann and BBC Home Service. Daddy had the habit of tuning in to BBC Home Service for the 7am Morning News programme and switching over to Radio Eireann for the 8am news. Mammy loved to listen to the afternoon play on BBC as she waded through a mountain of ironing, with the help of a bar of Cleeves Toffee. On Christmas Eve we followed Santa’s preparations with the elves checking the gifts for all the children before leaving the North Pole. Somehow it never registered that all the names called out were Irish or had an Irish touch to them!

Lunchtime listening in our school years brought regular episodes of the Kennedy’s of Castleross and a very staid version of Hospital’s Requests on a Wednesday. The latter seemed to play only classical music, Irish diddlie di, or hymns. John McCormack’s recordings were regularly requested The messages of greeting for patients were delivered in very sombre or grave tones, enough to add pain rather than bring comfort. Then a young Bank Clerk from Limerick called Terry Wogan arrived like a tornado blowing fresh air across the airwaves. He spoke irreverently of Matrons, bedpans and pills and the ludicrous reality of lunch at 11am. The programme changed Tempo and we were introduced to the music of the day. I am sure it had a very positive effect on patients who in those days had longer spells in hospital. A simple appendix operation meant a week in bed followed by a week up and about on the ward. That is how it still was in 1966 when my appendix was removed.

Most of that happened before TV began in Ireland. We listened to the radio and made our own pictures inside our heads.

Paddy Crosbie was Question Master of The School around the Corner, where each week, two teams from different Primary schools battled it out to show their knowledge. The programme always finished with the ‘Hard Word’, when Paddy asked each member to write down the meaning of a multi-syllable word. The answers were then read out to the listeners and everyone shared the prize of a box of sweets.

Question Time, for the adults was watched over by our other dad patent leather hairdo Joe Linnane. My mother dated him before she met my dad. We never actually met him, but were glad she chose dad. It didn’t stop us teasing her every time we heard him or saw him in later years on Radio Telifis Eireann.

We had a weekly series of the Foley Family, an early attempt at radio soap. There was Cheili House, a programme of traditional Irish music, and Take the Floor with Dingo – did he have another name? Dingo was the compère; he introduced the musicians and dancers and was caller for the dance steps just like at a barn dance. As a child I thought it was silly having dancing on the radio as you couldn’t see the steps, mind you I feel the same about cooking on the radio today. Joe Lynch, from Cork was another entertainer, who grew-up within Radio Eireann as an actor, singer and comedian, but really came into his own with his Living with Lynch.

I remember a detective series where the story built over several weeks. One week there was a car chase through the streets of Dublin, ending with the criminal crashing into a railing near the Four Courts. We were on the edges of our seats and chewing our fingernails with the tension and excitement. It was all the more believable when the following day; Daddy piled us into the car and took us to see the crash site. There was the car stuck in the railings! Daddy had heard of a crash on the news but let on to us that it was the car from the programme. Somehow I don’t think that would pass the children of today.

My older brothers graduated to Radio Caroline and Radio Luxembourg and we became interested in the Top Twenty and all the hits of the day. If mammy and daddy were out we played about with the dials and wavelengths, sometimes we managed to eavesdrop on ship to shore telephone calls. Usually it was one side of a conversation, but if we managed to get both sides we felt we were very clever.

Now we have digital this and digital that, instant satellite connections across the globe. We hear and see the news as it happens and at times before it happens. Journalists today are in such a hurry to be the first with the news that they they tell us what they think will unfold. Does the fast pace make the news any better or make us happier?

What ever happened to the words of good old W. H. Davies

WHAT is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare?—

No time to stand beneath the boughs,
And stare as long as sheep and cows:

No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass:

No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night:

No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance:

No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began?

A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

Back in March I wrote about an afternoon stroll with added photos of an old Flax Mill. Today I have another one. This time with a happier twist.

Mossley Mill, 1930s.

Now for a little history lesson with the help of Newtownabbey Borough Council.

Mossley was originally a bleaching establishment and carried on by a late Mr Thompson but ceased above 80 years back. It afterwards became a flax scutching establishment, next a cotton factory, which business was carried on by Stanton and Graham but ceased about 35 years back. It was next changed to a calico (cotton) printing establishment by the Messrs Grimshaw and remained so from about 1818 up to 1834, when it was changed to a spinning factory by the present proprietor (Edmund Grimshaw). The Ordnance Survey Memoirs 1839

After Edmund Grimshaw’s death, Mossley was mortgaged to the Ulster Bank until 1859. The property was then sold to the Gunning & Campbell Co. At the time of this sale the property was described as:

“Two mills for the spinning of flax and tow, 22 worker’s houses, manager’s house and garden with a dwelling house and grounds, ornamentally planted. The machinery of the mill was run by two steam engines with boilers (25 horsepower each with shafting and great gearing attached)”. The Ordnance Survey Memoirs 1839

Although the name Gunning appears on the deed of sale, he had little or nothing to do with Mossley. Soon after the purchase of the mill the name of the mill changed to Henry Campbell & Co.

Henry Campbell & Co. consisted of second cousins Henry and John Campbell. It appears that Henry provided most of the capital for Mossley Mill but John was the one who ran it. Henry retired soon after purchasing the mill and this left John as the sole proprietor. It was John who would make many changes to Mossley. He expanded the mill, village, set up the school and improved the conditions for his employees.

There are several reasons for the success of the mill. Although the Campbells invested in new buildings and machinery, they did not over extend. They remained with the part of linen manufacture they knew best – flax and tow spinning.

While many companies were diversifying into many other linen products, the Campbells remained specialised.

In addition, the company looked after its workers well, given the standards of the time. This good business sense kept Mossley competitive. It was not until the 1880s that the Campbells diversified.

It was around this time that thread making was added to the business.

In 1978 the mill was sold to the Hanson Trust and was then amalgamated with Barbour Threads of Hilden, near Lisburn. The joint company was renamed Barbour Campbell Threads Ltd and in the ensuing rationalisation all thread production was transferred to Hilden and spinning to Mossley.

In 1993 the site was bought by Herdmans, flax spinners at Sion Mills, Co. Tyrone. Mossley Mill finally closed in 1995 and virtually all the machinery was scrapped or sold. Newtownabbey Borough Council bought the mill in 1996 and phase 1 of the development opened in 2000 has the Council Civic Centre.

Phase 2 of the development includes a proposal for a heritage and arts facility which would consist of a heritage gallery, temporary exhibition gallery and education room.

The chimney still stands and the new and old blend well together. There is a self service coffee shop open to the public on the first floor of the new extension overlooking the car park. What a pity it is not overlooking the lake!

A little imagination can breathe new life into an old building, pity the walls can’t talk!

The lake had few visitors on the day I was there.

This little fellow kept disappearing, I think he was practising for the Guinness book of records to see how long he could stay underwater!

King Damien is at it again! We have had Fluffy Badges, Annual Blog Awards and now De dah de dah!….

It’s the all new bright and shiny “Blog Post of the Month” award. I have thought several times while reading the wonderful insightful posts of fellow Bloggers that I would love to award them in some way. Now I have the chance to nominate them for this little beauty.

(Photo stolen from IBA site.)

So if you read, enjoy or are moved to tears and want to nominate a blog post, simply blog about it and link to it, and also link here.

Chicken Fillets with Brie & Cranberry Sauce

Serves 2 Preheat oven to 200°C

2 Chicken Breast Fillets

25g sliced Brie rind removed

10 ml Cranberry sauce

1 Croissant

Chopped herbs of choice

Remove the inner strip from the base of the fillet and flatten gently with a rolling pin. Cut a pocket into the upper surface of each fillet. Fill with brie and cranberry sauce. Place flattened strip on top to conceal the filling. Roughly grate the croissant into large crumbs. Add the herbs and mix thoroughly. Spread evenly across the fillets and press down lightly.

Place on a baking tray and bake for 25-30 minutes.

Today I sent special good wishes to Mothers in America and Australia as they celebrate Mothers Day. Not to be left out may all mothers around the globe feel the touch of love today!

0+0+0+0+0

My mother taught me RELIGION.
“You better pray that will come out of the carpet.”

My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL
“If you don’t straighten up, I’m going to knock you into the middle of next week!”

My mother taught me LOGIC.
“Because I said so, that’s why.”

My mother taught me FORESIGHT.
“Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you’re in an accident.”

My mother taught me IRONY.
“Keep crying and I’ll give you some thing to cry about.”

My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.
“Shut your mouth and eat your supper.”

My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM
“Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!”

My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.
“If I told you once, I’ve told you a million times. Don’t exaggerate!”

My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
“Just wait until we get home.”

My mother taught me about RECEIVING.
“You are going to get it when you get home!”

My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
“If you don’t stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way.”

My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT.
“If you don’t eat your vegetables, you’ll never grow up.”

My mother taught me GENETICS.
“You’re just like your father.”

My mother taught me WISDOM.
“When you get to be my age, you’ll understand.”

Well my Dears, I had a test of survival last night! The power went off at 8.30pm. I checked the trip switch in the garage and then heard neighbours opening garage doors so I knew I was not the only one affected. The Electricity Board informed me that the break in service was due to vandalism and it might be midnight before it was restored. Some young bucks were letting off fire crackers earlier, they actually sounded like gun shots! One hit the local electricity sub-station for our estate so we were all left in the proverbial dark. Looking out the back windows the rest of the town was all brightly lit.

My computer went black just as I was answering an email and thinking of a post for today. I unplugged and checked that candles and lighters were where they should be. Fortunately I keep a plentiful supply of candles; I often light one for friends who are going through difficult or stressful times. I light the candle and think of the person or people for a few moments while looking at the flame and then let it sit and burn for the day, checking at intervals that it is still alight and trim the wick

Thankfully it was still bright and warm at 8.30pm, so there was no need for heating or lights. I went to check on elderly neighbours one of whom had been discharged from hospital in the afternoon. Not being happy with their candles (the tall narrow variety, easy to knock over) I came home for some sturdy nightlight holders and night-lights, thanks to Elly and IKEA, and my spare lighter. They are so much safer for unsteady hands.

I went to my bed early leaving one light switch and the bedside radio on. I listened to the radio on my mobile phone for a short while and soon drifted off to sleep. The radio and light woke me at 1.30am. I made a warm drink and checked the house to make sure that everything was in order. Snuggling down once more I slept until 4am. That’s a good night sleep for me, although I never get up at that time. I allow the body to doze as I listen to the radio and occasionally I SLEEP as I did this morning, waking at 8.30 with a thick fog wrapped around my brain. It is clearing….I hope!

Normal service will resume tomorrow.