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2009 A Good Year ….?

I did do a review of the year 2008. But it’s onwards and upward and whilst we head into 2010… here’s a look back on the last 12 months of 2009.

*If I missed or forgot something or someone – just hollar and I will ammend as soon as possible 😉

  • December was kicked off with the Carbon Neutral Revolution and Trim 2025

Whilst I flicked through my diary and realised just how much I actually had done… it should be noted that none of this would make any sense without someone to share the stories, the laughter and equally the tears with. I am forever greatful to the so many great friends and people I have met along this years road. Thank you. 🙂

Did I enjoy it? Every second. Don’t get me wrong… no road is an easy an easy one especially when I work in an industry that is so weather dependant and I am self employed. That is not a complaint…. more an additional reason to appreciate the people who stand tall by my side when time are tougher and there too when we laugh our socks off.

Go raibh míle maith agaibh. Nollaig Shona duit. Slán agus beannacht.

Thank you again, for everything.

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niall mellon township building blitz 2009

update: table quiz dec 3rd malahide…?

950 Volunteers – 1 Week – 200 New Houses

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Wallacedene, Cape Town, South Africa.

My third year to travel with The Garden of Hope Team, this year was always going to be yet another amazing project. As most of you know by now, I travel not to build houses but as part of a team of gardeners to, this year, build a community playground, football pitch and vegetable and fruit gardens.

What we didn’t bank on was the rain…. and by God did it fall.

But the options were….? We did have one half day of rain stops play… we then worked through as it got worse to make up the lost hours. And in the end it did work out. The sun started shining. It was always gonna happen 😉

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I’ve had to pause here writing this post…. It’s upsetting to be honest. My voice is gone. My bones are sore. There’s a pride inside me for what I as part of a team did… and then I think that maybe I could have done more. I’ve tears in my eyes. I’ve turned on the heating and type on my laptop and I’m trying, really trying not to write a sad post. Maybe to speak of the families and children with HIV and on housing lists for over 20 years…. when the rain came down one of the guys was telling me of a man they met with a frying pan trying to keep the water from his shack. I doubt he slept that night. But the people are so happy, friendly and polite. The children still smile. To see them dancing in middle of the water feature… that was the moment I took. Maybe I’ve numbed slightly to it after 3 years…

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I heard of one lady. Originally from South Africa. She works in a pub in Ireland and for the last five years has saved her tips. This year she done the trip. She paid €5,000 to come to South Africa to work. The same as all of the Irish did. I worked with ladies in their 60’s and 70’s who laboured as myself and Colin lay cobbles. I met people who had lost loved ones so recently. Those who had no jobs to return home to in Ireland…. I’ve just thought of them too.

I’m gonna sit and have a cuppa now. The vid is done. I have some writing done here and a blog post to thank you all so much for your support. In garden terms… I think you’ll agree the volunteers made the best of it and kept the smile sunny side up… More than that – I know you will agree that our new friends in Wallacedene love it.

Thank you all for everything…. see you in a little.

to read post no. 2 of the journey – click here

I’ve uploaded all of my 2009 blitz images/ photographs here

A great overview of the entire week can be read on the official Niall Mellon Township Trust blog – click hereReblog this post [with Zemanta]

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repak recycle week 2009….

recycle more....
recycle more....

I  disappeared for the last couple of days…. the main reason was that I was creating a garden [of sorts 😉 ] for Repak Recycle Week.

The official launch is tomorrow [wednesday 7th October ’09] at 9.30am. That said there’s also an evening session kicking off between 6 & 7 pm in The Library Bar [in the Central Hotel] [opposite dunnes stores] on Exchequer Street [ just off Georges Street] where some of the social meeja will convene for a few drinks. If you’re around the area pop your head in and say hi…. 🙂

If you can’t make it, you can always pop along and see whats been done in the front window of Dunnes Stores on Exchequer Street. if I don’t see you tomorrow night I’ll explain more in another blog post… 😉  

exchequer street...
exchequer street...
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donegan, electric picnic & a pink boat

I went down to electric picnic ’09 on the Sunday, late in the aftrenoon. Just for the one night/ day. My good friends Michael & Nicola were getting married on the Saturday and I couldn’t miss that 😉

Thanks so much to Sian Maloney, Anthony Sarah, Amy & sis Blaithín Ben and all the really nice people I met there for all their kindness. Really, so very much appreciated. 🙂

Most by now know the story of the pink boat and electric picnic…. click here and have a good read if you don’t.

Anyhow, Sarah took this picture 😉 The boat has changed, a bit. But, like the EP boys promised it still has a good home 🙂

aaah..... ;)
aaah..... 😉
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how green is….. john bishop

Courtesy of the carlsberg comedy festival & the culch.ie team I had the absolute honour to see the performance of and after meet with legendary comedian & gentleman John Bishop.

I always usually have to edit interviews – a heck of a lot – But in John’s case….. I simply couldn’t.

The reason I went to meet John of course was to find out just how green he really is….

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