SRGC Website helped keep me from going stir-crazy.

[DavMac]

Whilst I knew about the SRGC website prior to going to the UK for a "trip I would never forget", I was mainly interested in the Pleione and Orchidaceae section of the forum. However, after discovering that trying to get a better photo can be hazardous to your health  , I have had a lot of time to explore the rest of the site. In particular, I have read all of Ian Young's excellent Weekly Bulb log and have learnt a lot from them. Hopefully Ian will be updating and releasing a new Log CD at the end of this year as it is such a good reference.
I have also enjoyed Paul Cumbleton's Wisley Alpine Log. Wisley was one of many places I didn't get a chance to visit after having an enforced stay in Ireland. A left ankle and saturated peat on the side of the track at Lady's View in Ireland didn't mix (thank goodness for travel insurance).
After so much temptation from the website I have taken the plunge and taken out a subscription to the Journal. Now I just have to work out what I want to try growing and what my wife will let me try .
Is it possible to buy a CD of the Journal back issues that was released a couple of years ago?   

Thanks Ian, Maggie, Fred and everyone else for making the website what it is.

David

[Maggi Young]

Dave, this is excellent news .....not about your injury  ... we wish you a complete recovery from that  ......but great news about the pleasure you have from the website and I do not doubt you will LOVE the Journal.... as an SRGC member you'll have access to the seed exchange also 

Fred, Ian and I are so pleased to hear that folks are enjoying the site.......and good to know the Bulb Log has piqued your interest.... it keeps the Bulb Despot busy and that is always a good thing!!

Sure we will have a CD  if the old Journals around here somewhere... I'll pm you about  your address....

[shelagh]

Welcome Dave to the friendliest and most comprehensive reference/data base there is.  When you do decide what it is you want to grow there is one essential item AN ELASTIC GREENHOUSE.   

[fermi de Sousa]

Welcome, David,
I hope we'll be seeing some of your garden pics on the Southern Hemisphere threads too!
cheers
fermi

[Lesley Cox]

Welcome from me too David. That's 2 Davids and a Dave from lil' 'ol New Zild.

[DavMac]

Shelagh,
It is said that when you are designing a glasshouse, plan it to be twice as large as you think you will need and it will be half the size as you really need.

Fermi,
It will be a while before there will any "Garden" photos as my garden currently is waiting to be cut out of the scrub behind the house. However, there are a few Pleione photos currently loaded and a few more to come. Also look out for a few Dactylorhizas and Arisaemas to appear as the season go on.

Lesley,
I was online just before going on holiday talking about Arisaema nephenthoides seed so I don't know if that changes your list.

Can anyone identify the Apiaceae that I photographed at the Giants Causeway?

As you can see my wife has "fond" memories of St. Andrews as well.

David

   

[Maggi Young]

Good grief! a matched pair of crocked McConachies.........what is it with you folks? I have a chum who nearly always comes back from her holidays with a broken bone too, but she and her husband have never managed MATCHING stookies (plasters) 

[David Nicholson]

.... and I thought all New Zealanders knew how to cope with the great outdoors   Hope you are both fully mobile now Dave.

[Lesley Cox]

A fine pair of knees though

David McConachie, David Lyttle, Dave Toole. Then there's David Nicholson, Dave Milward.....etc

[JohnnyD]

I too have only recently' discovered' the SRGC and its' brilliant forum.
Over the last year or two work has seriously interfered with all aspects of alpine gardening and only now, after arm twisting from the Smethys, have I given enough time to look more at the wonderful range of topics on the forum.
It is a huge credit to you and your colleagues Maggi that the whole thing is so easy of access, informative and hugely amusing.
Only yesterday I spotted the thread about the Pudsey Pig. Having been there at its' inception - the first winner by the way was Brian Smethurst though he only got a trophy when he won it for the second time - I can confirm Cliffs stating that there are only unwritten rules. In fact there is only one rule - that is that there are no rules!
Now, with our new alpine house waiting to be erected, the information on the form has been of a great help, especially Ians bulb log, which seems to answer many of those questions you really ought to ask but hadn't thought of yet.
Having now joined the SRGC (and even sent seed) I am looking forward to having a little more time to devote to keeping in touch with all things alpine.
Cheers, Maggi, please keep up the good work.
John
 

[Maggi Young]

Goodness, Johnny, what kind words, thank you.

We are so pleased to have you join us.... "the more the merrier"... as I often think the SRGC motto should be..... ( Though "let US eat cake" seems like another good motto  )
There seems to me to be little point in devoting oneself to a pastime and interest which cannot bring equal measures of achievment, challenge and fun.... and it is heartwarming that there are so many like-minded souls out there in this Forum and in the SRGC in general..........as we say in Scotland : "lang may yer lums reek"........... I'll leave you with that one for a while to see who can work it out!!

[JohnnyD]

My 'lums' tend to 'creak' more than 'reek' Maggi!
(I do hope I got your drift.)
John

[Maggi Young]

Lang may yer lum reek!              (Long may your chimney smoke!)
Wi' ither folks coal!                    (With other people's coal!)
(The second line is said to have originated in Edinburgh..... city of my birth!!  )

[Paul T]

Ah, so Maggi ..... you come from a long line of thievery do you? 

[Lesley Cox]

My mother used to tell me that her family's motto was "We aye (always) took our meat out of England" (with suitable Scottish Borders accent of course).