Planning the Red Cow

The Red Cow intersection changes every time I see it. I visit Clondalkin about once a month and each time the road layout is different. How a project manager can keep track of it is astounding. It must be by far the biggest project we've done in Ireland. There are temporary roads and bridges and signs. Construction is happening for the next stage of the final road as well as the next stage of temporary road.

It looks nothing like the picture at the moment.

I'm not claiming the project is without fault, I don't know (and did notice two roads diverging with no clue as to which went where) but the sheer size is mind-boggling. To think someone plans it!!!

Print your own stamps

I am envious of people living in England. Not only can you purchase stamps online with the Royal Mail and then print them yourself at home, you can also choose your own picture - in either circular or rectangular shape.

Gone are the days of the stamp designer?

The Jewish Museum

At last, I made a visit to the Irish Jewish Museum. I've seen signposts for it in the Portobello area but never quite found it until I made the effort on sunday.
We were greeted at the door by a very helpful man, who later checked if we were doing a project for which he could answer questions and followed us upstairs to ensure the heating was on and the room was warm enough.
The objects and information had a family feel to it, more than community based even. Pictures of people on wedding days, groups of girl guides and boy scouts.
The most interesting panel I thought was about anti-semitism in Ireland, more for the other info that was on the newspaper clippings - an ad from the Dun Emer guild caught my eye.
The panels and display cases were packed full of objects, items, artefacts, newspaper cuttings, passports, documents, photographs, certificates....

the future for power stations

it looks like a tree, doesn't it? Absolutely, but there was *something* funny about it. And on close inspection, it was made from plastic! Yes, this tree is actually an electric mast (I don't have the correct terminology - is that a sub-station under it?)
How awful if this were to be the future of electricity poles. Instead of local groups with signs requesting "bury the cables" "put them underground", their signs would read "give us fake trees".
The future could look grim.
This particular one is located along the start of the Wicklow way near the back of Marlay Park.

Glenview Museum

Went to Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim for the bank holiday weekend. Needed to get out of the city. We had no accommodation booked but drove around, and saw a sign for Glenview B&B. Next to the house, was a notice for "Museum". This morning when we were fixing up with the landlady, she asked us if we wished to see the museum. Yes, we said, we'll pay a quick visit.
Well, it was fantastic! A beautiful vintage car was the first thing we saw when walking into the large, jam-packed shed. And all manner of other objects of interest. The man of the house was willing to give us a tour, and seemed to have stories of interest to share about each and every item on display. Unfortunately, we were limited for time and hadn't expected to discover such a treasure trove so we had to be rude and stay only for a few minutes, making promises to return.
He played music for us on a gramaphone, and showed off a tiny iron for pressing lace collars, a magnificent wall-hanging collapsible clothes-horse, a door with a bullet hole from the black 'n' tans; among others.
As I wrote in the visitor's book "I'll be back".

www.glenview-house.com/glenview-museum.html

Spaces and ground surfaces

The bluish colour of the above picture is awful, sorry about that. My phone was on funny settings when I took it. It's the plaza in front of AIB bank headquarters in Ballsbridge. They've done a beautiful job. I think it's a really nice space now.
There's something that just clicks when the correct ground surface is chosen. Another example is Collins' Barracks. I'm sure people don't even pay attention to the pale salmon finish there - it's the perfect surface. Subtle, unnoticeable and succeeding in placing the emphasis on the buildings surrounding the space.

I'd like to introduce you to my laundry basket

I am always trying to improve things. Or get the best way for doing things. And when I find something that works well, I feel I should spread the word!

This is my laundry basket.
I love it. It works so well.

It's got three hanging linen 'bags' which can be removed, so it's very easy to sort clothes (I do whites, blacks and coloureds!).
Relations have told me "ah, sure, it's not that much hassle to separate your darks from your whites before doing a wash..." but why should you have to?!
The only thing I might change about it is have a fourth hanger; for delicates... You see what I said is true - I'm always trying to improve things ;O)