AnIrishalternative: Merlin Park

Laburnum in full bloom.

Last Monday I had to go into hospital for a sleep study, no one likes hospitals they normally seems so alien from normal life, however, Merlin Park hospital in Galway is an exception. Proper disabled ramps and staff that rush to give assistance, whatever procedure you are about to have is explained in detail. Maximum of three patients to a room and of course on-suite facilities, plus TV in every room. Nothing was too much bother for the staff. Although this hospital is quite old, everything is spotless.
However, what had not been explained to me was that I might end up staying more than one night, so it came as a bit of a shock at 8am to be awoken by a very nice Dr. saying he had to take an arterial blood test as the readings that they had from the sleep study showed I had very low oxygen levels. Anyone who has ever had one of these blood test taken is not likely to forget it, it's a very painful procedure. The results meant I had a prolonged stay, until home oxygen had been installed, it also meant I ended up having five of these painful blood tests which leave your wrist black and blue for some considerable time. Still, after four days in hospital and everything ready for me at home I was allowed to go home.

Our red hawthorn, looking beautiful

Just four days away and it was unbelievable how many things had come into bloom in the garden,

Astrantia.

it is a riot of colour,

once again the Amaryllis is flowering, that's the third time this year, and there are lots of good things to eat from the garden.

The peaches are filling out nicely,

there are plenty of new potatoes,

and it wont be long before the first courgettes are ready,

the second cauliflowers are far better than the earlier ones,

Mangetout peas

we have at last had a little rain. The tomatoes are showing flowers

and we are eating broad beans picked as mangetout, no waste at all that way.

Euphorbia, at Strokestown House.

The day before my hospital visit we went to Strokestown House plant sale,

there were far fewer stall holders there this year,

Rhododendron, it looks lovely against the copper beech.

no doubt put off by the seventy euro charge to have a stall, visitors also have to pay five euros to attend the sale but this cost includes a fee for visiting the gardens, fine if you are not in a wheelchair, all the pathways are gravel and not wheelchair friendly, so I had to let Simon visit the gardens and take some photos for me,

it was looking nice, but our garden probally has more colour so I will settle for seeing our own garden and seeing new things appearing daily.

One of our few yellow roses.

Foxgloves looking majestic.

Pink Lupin.

Deep blue iris.

Not a day lily, I have lost the label.

Lovely shape to this rose.

Double Campion.

I now know that exciting visits are now no longer possible for me as I'm on 16hours oxygen a day, and having to use a wheel chair most of the time rather limits us, but trips to the coast and other beauty spots are possible with the mobile oxygen, we are hoping for a day out tomorrow but to where has yet to be decided.