Warm greetings from a green Ireland

9 APRIL’11

Good day to all far and wide, family and friends!
Yesterday was the day of days! 18-20 ° the highest temp for a day in April in a long time! Last year this day it was freezing and the snow was still melting after a very late snap of extremely cold weather! But... yesterday made up for it! The grass was cut and the last of the summer bulbs planted!
Last Sunday afternoon we were at the garden centre as it opened its gates at 2pm and got the choice of the seedlings and left with nothing for the rest of the visitors!
Monday was a good day and although it rained heavily in the morning the afternoon turned out a gem! We planted 12 baskets the 13th still to go as the hook onto which the basket catches is not turned in enough and when the wind blows this basket reaches the ground unmercifully hard with damage to the flowers. To fix it means Barry has to take it off the wall and nearly do a blacksmith job on it to bend the hook in more!
The window boxes will still have to done as the plants were finished. On Tuesday morning we visited Home Base where we purchased a kettle and some more plant this time veggies and exotic plants! Will see what happens! The vegetable garden is now nearly full there is just enough space for some tomatoes and beans!
I have 9 seedling trays filled with Nasturgeums, Sinnia
Beetroot, radishes spinach! We decided to first plant the seeds and then transplant as it is still a bit cold at night! We made our own little hothouse with the windows taken out when we renovated the house!
Sunday 10th

I have the laptop where it should be, on my lap watching the golf from Augusta!
Today was very special as we had our inauguration service for the new organ It was a great success thanks to our Lord who provided the most glorious weather , talented musicians ,a great crowd, about 80 in number who came to praise the Lord and we did just that , Praise the Lord with heart, soul and voice!
Our Choir consisting of 7 girls between the ages of 4-9 sang beautifully! “All things bright and beautiful”I was so very proud of them! Joy and I shared the organ duties, I started the service and end it while she played the Hymns in between. Phil Nally sang 2 songs and Sheila the organist from our sister congregation in Mullingar and her group of musicians played 3 newer Hymns – I took the children in the middle of the service and you could hear a pin drop! it was a blessing from beginning to end! I came of duty this morning, drove home and were in bed by 10am – Barry woke me at 1 and after a shower and a cup of tea we were off to church! It has been a long day but I felt I would like to share with you our wonderful experience! 2 of my SA friends and their husbands were there and I appreciated that very much!
The good weather continued with wonderful temperatures of 18° today!
I would rather not talk about work as this new manager is busy with a process of breaking every-one down and we hope he builds us up again! He hates smokers and has made a new rule that you are not allowed to smoke with your uniform on meaning that if you have a 15minute tea break you have to change into you normal clothes and have your smoke in the smoke shed go back change into your uniform again before you can go back to work!
That will force them to quit if ever anything will!
We always saw on Wednesday the 1st swallows to fly over us 4 of them came to say hello and stayed around for a few minutes and then moved on! On Friday afternoon they came back for a short visit!
Our visiting cat has had a change of everything, he/she has gone very thin, has a snow white beard and only comes now and again! The black cat visits now even early in the morning! The red hares are frolicking in the back field and we have the pleasure of the cattle from the neighbour hanging their heads over the fence watching us with great interest.
Our daffodils are a feast for the eyes and everyday new ones opens! Wonderful colours! The baskets makes such a difference to the cottage it brightens the whole place up!
Birthdays; Gerda in Zambia is enjoying her birthday today, Haya’s son Paul on the 12th and My brother Mendel will be 80yrs old on the 13th Gods richest blessing we pray for you!

Our prayers are also with Laurel, we pray and hope that the surgery will go well and wish you a speedy recovery!
We also pray that you will have the guidance from above to cope with your husband’s illness!
Easter is in 2 weeks time and our grandson Lukas has his 1st Birthday on Saturday the 23rd! He has never been sick but is now recovering from ? German Measles.
He also is the proud owner of 2 teeth at the bottom!
Nine, he is not walking alone yet but move between the furniture holding on where he can and so make the rounds! Love to hide things especially the remote control!
It was a good week for receiving letters, really enjoyed Leopoldt’s description of his niece’s wedding and then the photos that followed from Adelbert, thank you so much it is greatly appreciated and enjoyed! Congratulations to Werner and Hester with the marriage of their daughter Cora!
All the other letters were read with great hunger and every little bit digested with vigour! Thank you!
The fields have got their luscious green colour back and the change in nature is remarkable1 The old greenness of the Emerald Island has returned!
It also brings me to the end of my letter!
Be always careful, make sure all doors are locked!
Good wishes to all who are writing exams!
Warm regards from
Barry and Christina