Mean Maureen declares War this week!

I’ve declared war on a number of ancient trees in my garden. While I hate to put an end to the life of a tree, I’ve had to take down one apple tree because it was in danger of falling and now I have my eye on a lovely old pear tree which overhangs my patio and is covered in garden lights, making it magic at dusk. It’s a great shame this has to go because it produces masses of pears all of which we can’t eat but we’ve always been happy to share with the birds. However, this year hundreds of starlings have taken over and congregate on the tree constantly with the result that we daren’t use the patio underneath and it’s been out of action for all the beautiful September weather. I plan to cut a lot of the tree down, save as many lights as possible and train red climber roses over it. Hopefully the starlings will go and pester somebody else but it will take a considerable amount of power washing to get the patio usable again. I hope the ‘King of Mean’ will return from his autumn cruise fit and anxious for some outdoor work!

If despite my experience you are imprudent enough to want to plant fruit trees, bare-root fruit trees are on sale in Lidl this week for just €5.99. Varieties include apple, Victoria plum, pear and golden gage plum. Don’t plant them too near the house (they can grow quite big and don’t plant them so that they overhang your patio or decking or you’ll have the starling problem). You can also buy gorgeous pots of primroses, pansies, violas and wallflowers for €2.69 a pack. Just the thing to add colour to fading autumnal gardens.

On my way home from a few days in Cavan on Sunday, I passed the Fairyhouse Market and stopped for a look. An hour later, I was still wandering through the hundreds of stalls selling everything imaginable from really good-value meat to clothes, jewellery and curios. There were nice men’s leather jackets for €100 and I picked up a few fascinating pictures of long-gone north Dublin landmarks and events for €5 each.

Aer Lingus is now offering one-way tickets to loads of European cities for €24.99 each way including taxes and charges. Book now and travel between November and March, including at weekends. I reckon that makes it slightly cheaper to go to Amsterdam, Paris, Madrid or Prague than by Irish Rail to Cork. The last time I went Dublin to Cork with Irish Rail the return fare was €60!

I’m delighted to report that I found somebody who was able and willing to turn an enormous piece of leftover carpet from my stairs into a really gorgeous matching rug for my hall. And all at a very prudent price. Christine can be contacted at 086–8034431. I got my 15-foot rug for just €15! I’m now planning to buy more carpet remnants and turn them into rugs for other rooms. This will mean I can get beautiful plain rugs (hard to buy in the shops) at very prudent prices.

Never throw out leftover carpet, Mean Maureen’s found a prudent solution