Ancient stuff
A collection of past railway sleeper memories
07 May 2013 / Posted in: Ancient stuff
Sept 2002
Season of mist and mellow fruitfulness. Why didn't I get all those jobs done in the summer ? As usual I intend more than I achieve ! Good news - the BBC are putting us in a forthcoming landscaping book as one of their suppliers. Quite a relief, I've been expecting them to sue us any moment. See public apology in earlier blog.
Pepsi, in all his exhuberant glory has left us. He's bitten Bray several times and is not interested in being his soul mate. Sad, but he'll live happily within his new one dog family, with no competition. Bray has blossomed in his absence. Peace has returned to the farm.
Business news: There are no immediate plans to float Kilgraney on the stock exchange. We've turned down a merger with Marconi. Just as well. Rumour has it they'll soon go into liquidation.
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07 May 2013 / Posted in: Ancient stuff
Kilgraney goes to Monte Carlo! August 2002
Annual holiday - a wonderful week of warm azure seas, delicious harbour restaurants, and life with an energetic and uncrowd-pulling Renault "twingo" that valiently managed breathtaking mountains and impossible parking amidst the rich and exotic of Monaco. Treading water and facing those vacational musings: why do I work, why do I live in Nottingham, why am I getting older, why have I ended up with a Renault "twingo" ?
My relaxed state of being predictably disappeared in 24hrs following return, amidst e-mails, faxes and frantic messages of Rock festivals wanting telegraph poles, lorry drivers getting lost and 'Pepsi' eating my boots, lunch, and biting Bray.
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07 May 2013 / Posted in: Ancient stuff
Sad goodbyes and hectic hellos. July 2002
Jet, our supposedly ferocious guard dog died of a kidney failure. A laid-back gentle being, certainly more effective at sleeping than guard duty. Much missed. Held him as he was put to sleep - a moving gentle moment that made me wish that maybe some human suffering could end in a similarly dignified way. Pepsi, an abbandoned two year old Labrador has joined the Kilgraney empire, armd with wilful enthusiasm, an ability to steal my lunch, and endless energy. I fear he has been sent to test my patience to breaking point. Bray seems to agree. He eats the post, chases after cars, and shows little respect either his elders or the established English way of doing things. He humours me.
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07 May 2013 / Posted in: Ancient stuff
US spy planes over Kilgraney 'front' June 2002
Reports from our website show that we've increased from about 1,000 'hits' a month to 37,000 in May. The print-out also shows that 174 'visits' were from Belgium, 2 from Denmark, 31 from the US government, and 72 from the US military. Explain THAT please !
We've already passed the longest day of the year, England are out of the world cup, and Wimbledon is upon us. E-mails have come from as far away as Canada and Estonia, and Edinburgh airport even sent someone down to pick up 6 sleepers. (Can you believe that ?) Our fame obviously proceeds us ! Generally we've had more and more enquiries from outside the midlands, and correspondingly more long distance deliveries. This month we've sold to scultpers, golf pros, chief constables, football managers and many other dodgy characters.
We've brought in several new types of sleepers, including some brand new industrial oak from France, and some attractive reclaimed Norwegian pine sleepers. We've even been offered half a million sleepers from an enterprising person in the Czech republic. Can you imagine the pile ? Maybe that's why the US is interested!
On a sad note, Jet our ferocious and loveable labrador is ill, suffering from kidney failure. Bray seems very lonely, and we are seeking a new friend for him. Equally ferocious of course !
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07 May 2013 / Posted in: Ancient stuff
April 2002
BBC's 'Homefront' programme used 120 of our new oak railway sleepers recently to create a multi-decked affair, by Duirmid Gavin. Here, courtesy of their website are a few pictures. It's curious how visitors to Kilgraney have responded to the BBC's bit of theatrical landscaping. Either adoration or bitter scorn... 'fantastic','inspiring' or 'ridiculous', and 'a waste of money' ....a bit like their reaction to the royal family !
Dear Duirmuid was heard to say that they were 'fine oak railway sleepers' (clearly a personal recommendation !!) an opinion not shared by those unloading the lorry, who laughingly complained that they were 'bloody heavy', and must be at least 100 kg each. Actually only 70kg, but who cares ! The finished glittery project, so amazingly expensive, would not have been out of place on a west end stage, yet perhaps a little strange in the chosen setting. Still, hats off for daring imagination and ...oh yes.. for buying from us ! Thankyou.
The man speaks:
"Kilgraney Farm is one of the finest suppliers of railway sleepers I have ever met, and every one of my projects in future will include them. The web site is so amazing that it taught me more in an hour, than I've learned in years. It is to Kilgraney that I owe my success.."
Duirmuid Gavin
Public apology
We apologise unreservedly. The above comment is fictitious and we regret any offence it may have given to Mr.Gavin or his family. What he indeed said was that the railway sleepers were "heavy" and "fine oak sleepers" and this in no way meant we could gratuitiously peddle his name as supposed recommendation and hope to con a few sales out of it... not to mention 'borrowing' artwork off the BBC's website. Sorry. There is, we hope, no connection between this and the current investigation of Kilgraney, by the US military.
And finally. We've bought a newer JCB forklift to accompany our trusty 1960's Bonser, Volvo and Massey Ferguson. It's got unheard of luxuries like windscreen wipers and heater. Clearly we'll all become soft in our now pampered state.
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06 May 2013 / Posted in: Ancient stuff
The horror of the tsunami was perhaps a reminder of the awesome and indescriminate power of the natural world, and the inevitable suffering of the poorest and least protected, whose lives were destroyed in minutes. In contrast it seemed almost insensitive to carry on with almost the trivia of life - the xmas decorations, the squabbles over the remote control, party games, opening beer and presents, new year resolutions, let alone mentioning the sad decline of Nottingham Forest. But maybe that's how people cope with pain, fear and helplessness. They immerse themselves in the every day. Cooking, shopping, moaning, gossipping, and complaining about the decisions of referees.. !
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06 May 2013 / Posted in: Ancient stuff
One day hot, one day cold. Sun, rain, floods, gales.. the usual unpredictable summer. All hats off to those landscapers who struggle on. Our busy internet site brings in a wealth of warm praise & orders from all over Europe & the UK, with an increasing selection of exciting and unusual projects including 'Troy', 'Big Brother', Leeds Music Festival, Theatres, Flower shows, & hundreds of brilliant garden, construction and furniture projects. How lucky we are to be part of what you are doing, and thankyou for the digital pictures you send to our 'projects page'. Keep them coming ! They're fab!
The annual Kilgraney summer holiday was taken amongst crashing Cornish waves, Pembrokeshire sands, and the background of Portuguese football fervour, that promised so much, yet somehow deflated at the vital moment.
Forest's pre-season American tour, set up to benefit Pinacle Insurance, seemed to be likewise disappointing, and threatens to spill over into the season proper, following friendly defeats to Middlesborough and Spurs. That sinking feeling again ! Thank goodness our offer to sponsor Nottingham Forest several years ago was rejected - at least we can sleep at night! .. unlike Sven.
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06 May 2013 / Posted in: Ancient stuff
The great wall progresses, the sun comes out & the white wolf finds a new home
SPRING 2004 It never ceases to amaze me when the warmth of spring arrives - as though I've forgotten of it's existence over the dreary winter. A thought clearly shared by hundreds of gardeners who now contact us with their exciting projects that have taken shape in armchairs over the winter... raised beds, retaining walls, steps, playgrounds, benches, fireplaces, decking... they all come tumbling out from the long cold nights of eager planning. From Junior schools to Army assault courses, Dubai to Dublin, goat sanctuaries to stately homes, 'Big Brother' house to national magazines, a string of creative ideas & designs continued below...The Great wall of China has almost finished, after an enforced winter break. A momentous project for the inexperienced band of enthusiastic diggers. My thanks to all for creating a wonderful garden. Just the final planting to go.
Nottingham Forest have decided to join the excitement of spring time with green shoots of their own. A new 'head gardener' has plugged the spiral of non-scoring and dreary losses, and encouraged a brightness and confidence that has pulled them out of the relegation doldrums. Only time will tell whether Jo Kinnear has green fingers.
Bruno, the visiting wolf, has decided to make Kilgraney his permenant home, after a few tasty visitors. He has learned to round up customers and encircle the forklift, and is very welcome.
A big thankyou to all those who continue to send us digital photos of their projects. We are creating a wonderful resource.
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06 May 2013 / Posted in: Ancient stuff
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AUTUMN 2003 Well, the wet & the wind has finally ended the driest spell since records began (they always seem to say that) which is bad luck on landscapers and all those commissioned in building Kilgraney's 'The great wall of China', and 'The great wall of China 2' Luckily all the main trench and construction work was completed before the down pour started. Struggling in mud has also spread to Nottingham Forest , Kilgraney's team, who's results have taken a nose dive, despite our fervent support. In fact, if Forest were a landscaping project, they'd be abandoned half way through, or kicked off the site. No goals, no wins, and sliding towards the abyss.
On a brighter note, Bray, our supposedly ferocious guard dog has invited his cousin Bruno (seemingly a white wolf) to stay for a few months, and eat a few visitors. He is very welcome. Damp November, a quiet time for landscapers is still busy, with sleepers & poles leading the enquiries from builders,architects & councils etc.. The end of a busy year.
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06 May 2013 / Posted in: Ancient stuff
The agony and the ecstasy 28th Feb 2005
The week starts with Forest being nine points from safety. Slipping slowly towards that unbearable drop. A premiership size club facing obscurity in the old second division. The odds further stacked against them.
Then at the weekend a brave & deserved FA Cup draw, away against Spurs. What a fight that was ! Forest were seen as 10-1 on to lose the match. Spurs had a wealth of talent and international superstars, and were expected to coast it against the 23rd placed championship side. Yet Forest were mighty with guts, passion and yes with skill that brought them within a hairs breadth of victory. Wonderful ! Several days later and Forest are facing make or break against Preston, high flying in the play off zone, and who'd been unbeaten in 10 games. If we lost, and Coventry won (also playing that night) then we'd be sunk to 12 points from safety). At half time it looked likely with Coventry winning, and dismal Forest out played by a better team. But the Gods smiled on plucky Forest, and blessed them with two second half Goals from inspired Commons, whilst dishing out defeat to struggling Coventry. We were now six points from safety, with two games in hand! ....... READ MORE.. READ MORE..
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