Paddy and Plunkett – Page 5

Paddy and Plunkett Take Fort William!

Posted on June 4, 2019June 19, 2021 by crawcraftsbeasties in Beastie Family, Paddy and Plunkett

Hello there Beastie friends! It’s a bit of a rainy old day in Dublin today – ah, the Irish summer! So I don’t know about you, but I’d definitely be up for seeing where Paddy and Plunkett’s wandering paws have taken them. You may remember we left them here last week…
Well, I can now reveal that this place with the lovely view is Fort William, in the Scottish Highlands!

Fort William did actually start life as a fort – the earliest recorded settlement here was a wooden fort, dating back to the mid-1600s. It’s seen a fair amount of military activity since then, most notably during the Jacobite uprising in 1746. Back then, forces supporting the reinstatement of James Stuart to the British throne laid siege to the town for two weeks! These days, it’s much more peaceful. In fact, the original fort was much bigger than what remains there today!

What brings many people to Fort William now is its proximity to the Highlands. Look, Paddy has spotted Ben Nevis!
It may be shrouded in mist, but it’s pretty difficult to hide completely. It’s Scotland’s highest mountain, after all!

Closer at hand, the boys explored the fort a little further…
“This is the sally port, Paddy! They used it to bring in supplies by boat back in the day. Look at that stonework…”

Paddy found this very impressive… Until he learned that the sally port has been out of action for many years, and no-one was going to row past with a sandwich for his lunch.

No, his mind quickly turned to other things… Like climbing mountains! The West Highland Way walking trail starts (or ends, depending which direction you go) in Fort William, and stretches 96 miles across some of Scotland’s most beautiful and rugged countryside. But the first section, in the town, is deceptively easy going…
Perfect for little short Beastie legs! And luckily for the boys, just as their paws began to get tired, they happened upon a friendly local who offered them a lift home.

This bronzed fellow in his Model T Ford is here to commemorate a publicity stunt that took place here more than 100 years ago. Mr Henry Alexander, the local Ford dealer, had the bright idea of asking his son to drive one of their Model Ts to the top of Ben Nevis. He wanted to demonstrate to the buying public that these cars were as good (or even better than) their hand-built British counterparts. The trip there – and more importantly, back down again – was tricky, but a success. There’s even some recently-rediscovered film footage of the descent! You can see it and find out more about the statue here.

Of course, Paddy was eager to take the wheel and recreate the journey himself… But since Mr Henry Alexander Jr was literally welded into the driving seat, he had to settle for riding shotgun!
We’ll rejoin the boys in a couple of weeks. Next week… A new Beastie friend for you all to meet. And this one has SO MANY ACCESSORIES!

See you then!

Paddy and Plunkett in Fortwilliam - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties

Scotland Bound with Paddy and Plunkett!

Posted on May 28, 2019 by crawcraftsbeasties in Beastie Family, Paddy and Plunkett

Hello there Beastie friends! As promised, Paddy and Plunkett have hit the open road again, in search of Beastie-sized adventure! Although, since they’re on their way to Scotland, their journey really begins on a stretch of open water…
Hmmm… There is a lot of water around. It’s coming down from the sky too, by the looks of things. Hopefully it won’t rain for their entire trip!

Fortunately, the lads outran the clouds, and left them behind on the other side of the Irish Sea. They were glad to hop on a bus without getting their paws wet…
… And were soon speeding along the road to their next port of call – Glasgow!

Glasgow is the most populous city in Scotland, and was considered by many to be the “second city” of the British Empire during its heyday in the Victorian era. Although the city was hit hard by the decline of the heavy industries (especially shipbuilding) upon which its fortunes were built, it has bounced back in recent years. It’s earned a reputation as a centre of culture and style, while its industrial past makes it an interesting place to visit – for both humans and Beasties!

This was only supposed to be a brief stopover, but that didn’t stop the lads from getting to know some of the locals.
They might have hung out in the square a little longer than planned… Quick, get to the train station!
The boys got a few funny looks as they navigated the turnstile – honestly, you’d think people had never seen a Beastie before. But luckily they got to their seats just in time.
Well, I say seats – they find they get a much better view when they stand on the table.

“Where are we actually going, Plunkett?”

Wait a sec – did you not check where the train was heading before you boarded?!

Apparently not. But the Beasties’ haphazard approach to holidaying usually works out just fine.
“This is the life, Plunkett!”

“Yes, Paddy – not bad at all, is it?”

I’ll reveal where the terrible twosome landed in the next post… But if you think you already know, be sure to share your guesses in the comments!

See you next week!

Beastie Clubhouse - Paddy and Plunkett Bluebells - CrawCrafts Beasties

Beasties in the Bluebells!

Posted on May 14, 2019June 19, 2021 by crawcraftsbeasties in Beastie Family, Paddy and Plunkett

Well hello there everyone! It’s a beautiful sunny day here in Dublin, and to make it EVEN BETTER, some pictures from Paddy and Plunkett dropped into my inbox last week. I was beginning to wonder where they’d got to… When they’re quiet, that’s often a sign of mischief brewing. But here they are, on the road (or rather, the rails) again!
The lads do enjoy a nice trip on the train.

Hey look, we’re here!
Um, Cullywherenow?

Cullybackey is a village that sits almost halfway between Belfast and Derry/Londonderry. It may be small, but they have an interesting welcoming party standing by to greet our adventurous Beastie duo!
And it doesn’t stop with leprechauns, either. Look out, Plunkett… Here be dragons!
Oh, and unicorns and fairies too!
But you might be surprised to learn that these wondrous creatures are not the reason Paddy and Plunkett took the train to Cullybackey. Well, not the only reason.

Walk on a little further, and…
Ta-daaaaaah! Bluebells galore!

And as the boys ventured deeper into the wood, the bluebells really started to take over!
This incredible display is in Galgorm Wood, a forest managed by the Woodland Trust. Better still, these bluebells are the kind native to Britain and Ireland, rather than the invasive straight-stemmed Spanish variety which has elbowed them out in many places.

But in such a profusion of bluebell blooms, a Beastie could easily get lost.

“Paddy? Paaaddyyyyy!”
So, where’s he got to?

Oh, I see him! Paddy can never resist a bit of tree climbing, and storm-felled beech trees make a perfect Beastie climbing frame.
And on the other side… It’s a Beastie-sized cabin!
You’d better get the kettle on, Paddy… I think Plunkett will need a big cup of tea when he eventually tracks you down!

Do any of you have a local bluebell wood to explore? Or is there another plant that heralds the change of the season where you are? Tell us all about it in the comments!

And I’ll have a new Beastie for you all to meet next week, so be sure to join us then!

Paddy Plunkett Daffodils - Spring Break - CrawCrafts Beasties

Springing Back into Action!

Posted on April 9, 2019June 19, 2021 by crawcraftsbeasties in Beastie Family, Life at Beastie Towers

Hey look! I’M BACK!

No, I haven’t been hiding out in the daffodil patch with Paddy and Plunkett for the last month… Although I bet that would be a party!

I’ve been keeping busy with knitting classes, plus a little non-Beastie-based work. It’s always a good idea to keep food on the table, and yarn in the stash! I’ve also been spending a heap of time in my new studio, where Ophelia is making sure I don’t slack off.
Since we last spoke, I’ve been gradually moving more of my crafting kit out of Beastie Towers and into the studio… One blue IKEA bag at a time! Honestly, what did craftspeople use to transport their gear around before?! I’ve also picked up a few things to make my little workspace a bit more “Beastie”, and I’ll be sure to give you the new and improved photo tour in a future post.

So, what’s coming up over the next couple of weeks? Well, I’ve some new Beasties to share…
…Plus a couple to finish up and add to my online store (AT LAST)!

And once the April showers ease off a little, I know I won’t be able to stop certain little monsters from hitting the road! Expect to see Explorer Beastie and Paddy and Plunkett setting out to seek adventure again soon.
And what about you? What have you been up to since we last saw each other? Be sure to tell us all your latest news in the comments!

We’ll be back next week with a new Beastie for you all to meet. Get ready… She has so many accessories!

See you then!

Paddy Meets The Nomadic - CrawCrafts Beasties

A Titanic Adventure for Paddy and Plunkett!

Posted on February 12, 2019 by crawcraftsbeasties in Beastie Family, Paddy and Plunkett

Hello everybody! Well, I think the title says it all – the terrible twosome are out on tour again, and look where they’ve washed up! I think Belfast’s Titanic Quarter had better brace itself…
Paddy was only a little disappointed that he wasn’t allowed to climb up on one of the silvery points and shout “I’m the king of the world!” at passers by. But once Plunkett pointed out that no-one would be able to see him up there anyway, he agreed that a portrait on the steps was a better way to go.

They also encountered a Beastie-sized version of the famous ship herself!
This sculpture by English artist Andy Stallard shows the celebrated liner as an Airfix model kit… And local engineering firm Harland and Wolff (who built the real Titanic) assisted in its creation!

Further along, you can meet another member of the Titanic family… Not a sister ship exactly, but definitely part of the clan!
This is the Nomadic, the last surviving White Star Line ship in the world!

White Star’s “Olympic” class of liners, which included the Titanic and her sister ships the Olympic and the Britannic, were designed to impress the whole world with their over-the-top luxury and enormous size. Unfortunately, this meant that some of the ports they called at were simply too small to let them in! That’s where the Nomadic and her sister ship, the Traffic, came in handy.

These smaller “tender” ships brought passengers and their luggage, plus cargo, mail and supplies for the ship, from the harbour at Cherbourg out to where the massive liners were moored. Nomadic was primarily reserved for the first and second class passengers, which meant that she was much fancier than your average tender! In her heyday, she was tricked out with cushioned benches, tables, porcelain water fountains, a buffet bar and separate ladies’ and gents’ toilets, and her interiors were lavishly decorated.

It hasn’t all been fun and games for her though… In her lifetime, she’s served in two World Wars, performing duties such as minesweeping and transporting troops. She’s been a floating restaurant in Paris, and has narrowly avoided being scrapped on more than one occasion! She finally came home to Belfast in 2006, after several maritime and historical groups clubbed together to raise the money to buy her and restore her to her former glory.

The first phase of renovations were completed in 2012, and isn’t she looking great?
Paddy is most impressed!

And there was more to come in their tour of Belfast’s historic docklands! Time to hop on the Wee Tram, to take us to our next destination!
Beastie legs are of course wee-er than human legs, and more in need of rest!

And here we are at… The Titanic Slipway!
This is where the Titanic was built and launched, more than 100 years ago. This slipway was originally designed to accommodate 3 ships, but because the Olympic-class liners were so big, the area was reconfigured for 2 larger vessels. The line of posts down the left side of the photo shows how long Titanic was – Plunkett is mesmerised by the sheer scale of it! Meanwhile, Paddy has gone to trace the ship’s “footprint”, which is outlined in granite cobbles, and lit up in blue after dark!

Then there was one more famous ship to visit – one that, unlike the Titanic and her sisters, survived the First World War, and got to retire to the Belfast docklands! Meet HMS Caroline, the last survivor of the Battle of Jutland… One of the largest naval battles in history.
And as the sun set on another Beastie adventure, the boys took a detour to visit a new addition to the Titanic Quarter… One that they thought I would especially like to see.
This is the Great Light, which was opened to the public last summer. It’s made from the lenses of a lighthouse on Mew Island, the smallest of a group of 3 islands called the Copelands that lie just off the coast of north County Down. As a young’un, I spent many happy weekends running around neighbouring Lighthouse Island (yes, I know… The lighthouse used to be on Lighthouse Island!), and the sweeping light of the lighthouse became a familiar sight after dark. I was also rudely awoken by the foghorn one night as well, but that’s another story!

Anyway, the lighthouse was upgraded in 2014, and now has a blinking, solar-powered LED lamp. And it turns out that the 130-year-old original lamp is a valuable part of the area’s maritime heritage! So now it lives here, where it’s much easier for people (and Beasties) to visit. Thanks, boys!

That’s all from us this week… Join us again next Tuesday, when we’ll be back on dry land for more monster shenanigans! See you then!

PS Any links in this post are there because I think they’re interesting, not because Paddy and Plunkett are being paid to promote certain attractions!

Kale! Vegetable Garden - CrawCrafts Beasties

Winter Garden Wandering II – Into the Vegetable Patch!

Posted on January 29, 2019June 19, 2021 by crawcraftsbeasties in Life at Beastie Towers, Paddy and Plunkett

Hello there Beastie friends! It’s got a little chillier since we last saw each other, but that doesn’t seem to have dampened Paddy and Plunkett’s spirits. Here’s where I lost track of them last week…… And look, I’ve finally caught up with them – in the vegetable garden!

There’s Paddy, reveling in the green glory of some particularly vigorous parsley. No wonder I didn’t spot him straight away!
Meanwhile, Plunkett is checking out his rhubarb for signs of life. Hmmm, looks like we could almost have an early harvest soon!

Even beds that seem empty at first glance are already putting up shoots… Shoots that Beasties notice before humans do! Paddy is already excited about these future raspberries.
But, pleasant as the thought of hot summer days spent munching juicy raspberries may be, that’s not going to fill any Beastie bellies today! And the first rumblings of Paddy’s stomach add a sudden note of urgency to this vegetable garden foray… What can the boys find to eat right now? Surely there has to be something better on the menu than parsley and baby rhubarb stew?

Luckily, there is.
Hurray for kale! Super tasty, and super good for you… And very much in season, even right now! YUM!

Grab one of those big frilly leaves each, boys, and let’s get to the kitchen!

And here’s what I’ve been doing with my kale lately – a tasty, filling soup using dried stuff from the cupboard and the kind of veggies you can usually find stashed in the bottom of your fridge. I adapted this recipe from the River Cottage Veg Everyday cookbook – out of necessity at first, because I was missing a few of the ingredients, and had to substitute what I could find to bulk it out. Then, after making the “real” recipe, I decided I liked my version better! Give it a try, and see what you think…

Kale and Barley Broth

You will need:

2 Stock Pots (or stock cubes) made up with 1 litre boiling water
50g pearl barley, rinsed
50g red lentils, rinsed
2 big handfuls of kale leaves, washed and with tough stalky bits cut away, then cut fine
1 big carrot, peeled and cut into small dice
1 stick celery, cut into small dice
100g frozen peas
Salt and black pepper, to taste

Bring the stock to the boil in a big ol’ saucepan, then add the lentils and barley, turn down the heat, and simmer for 20 minutes. Use this time to prep your vegetable ingredients!

The barley should now be almost tender, so add your diced celery, carrot and frozen peas to the mix, and wait for it to come back up to a simmer.

Then, add in your kale and cook for another 2-3 minutes. You want the kale to be tender, not soggy, after all!

Taste a spoonful, and season with salt and black pepper if you think it needs it.

Then grab a bowl, and feast to your heart’s content!

Well, hopefully that will keep you all going until next week, when I’ll have a new Beastie for you to meet! And if you do give the recipe a try, leave us a comment below to tell us how you got on!

Paddy, Plunkett and a Random Marigold - CrawCrafts Beasties

Winter Garden Wandering with Paddy and Plunkett!

Posted on January 22, 2019June 19, 2021 by crawcraftsbeasties in Life at Beastie Towers, Paddy and Plunkett

Hello everybody! Well, we may be in the very depths of winter here in the northern hemisphere, but since we all made it through Blue Monday yesterday, it’s onwards and upwards from here! And after introducing a few new Beasties recently (catch up here and here) I thought it might be nice to get out for some fresh air, and take my new camera for a spin.

Of course, Paddy and Plunkett were more than happy to put themselves forward as models! So, we headed out into the garden to see what’s growing… Care to join us?

I caught up with Plunkett while he was tending to his hyacinths. He’s very proud of them, as you can see.
But then Paddy popped up, and suggested that it might be nice to take a wander outside.
Turns out he’s pretty persuasive.

And look! You can still find colour in the garden if you search in the right places…
… Although some of these places are easier to get to than others.
Still, if it’s winter colour you’re after, this cheerful display of berries certainly fits the bill!
The view’s not bad either. Look how green everything is!
And when the boys spotted some long grass on the other side of the hedge, they knew exactly what to do next…
There’s always time for a quick game of hide and seek!

But wait a sec… Where are they off to now? Wait for meeeeeeee!
Uh-oh! Looks like they’ve momentarily given me the slip. Hopefully I’ll be able to track them down before next week’s post!

How about you? Are you eagerly awaiting the arrival of spring before you venture back outdoors, or have you been enjoying walking in your own winter wonderland? Be sure to let us know in the comments!

We’ll be back next week with more from Paddy and Plunkett. I’m sure I’ll catch up with them eventually…

Santa Beastie - Beastmas 2018 - CrawCrafts Beasties

Happy Beastmas!

Posted on December 24, 2018 by crawcraftsbeasties in Beastie Family, Life at Beastie Towers, Paddy and Plunkett

Hey everybody! We’re baaaaaack! It’s been a crazy couple of weeks, but we just wanted to swing by to wish you all…

A very merry Beastmas!

And while I’m here, how about a seasonal Beastmas tale? Pull up a chair, grab some mulled wine and a fistful of mince pies, and let me tell you all about…

Paddy’s Santa Trap!

‘Twas the night before Beastmas,
And up in Beastie Towers,
Paddy wasn’t sleepy
– He’d been awake for hours!

He’s thinking about Santa,
And reindeer, elves and toys…
And bringing all the Beastmas gifts
To Beastie girls and boys.

He says, “They need a helper
To aid them in their task.
But Beastmas is so busy!
There won’t be time to ask!”

So he thinks, “I’ll build a Santa trap!
That will slow him down.
And then I’ll ask him for a job,
While he’s stuck on the ground!”

He sets to work, and builds a trap
With hammer, nails and wood.
Four feet tall and eight feet wide
– It’s looking pretty good!

Now, carpentry is heavy work.
Paddy’s eyes begin to close.
He settles down beside the fire,
And has a little doze.

But while Paddy is dreaming,
A shadow moves and shifts.
Hey look! It’s Santa Beastie
With a big bag full of gifts!

He dodges Paddy’s Santa trap
– He doesn’t even stall –
He spots the cookies left as bait
And then devours them all!

But then he looks back at the trap.
Such craftsmanship! Such care!
And that’s when he sees Paddy
Who’s sleeping, unaware!

He pulls a parcel from his bag,
Leaves it by Paddy’s side.
Then vanishes, like magic,
As Paddy’s eyes spring open wide.

Paddy rushes to the Santa trap.
Oh no! There’s nothing there!
But when he opens up his gift,
He really doesn’t care.

“Come join me at the North Pole,”
The note inside it reads.
“Your building skills are awesome,
You’re just the Beast we need!”

So that’s how Paddy’s Santa trap
Made a Beastmas wish come true.
And if you ask, Santa Beastie
Might do the same for you!

Happy Holidays, everybody!

We’ll be back next week with new Beasties to kick off 2019 in style! See you then!

Paddy and Plunkett in the Woods - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties

Beasts in the Woods!

Posted on October 30, 2018 by crawcraftsbeasties in Beastie Family, Paddy and Plunkett

Hello everybody! How’s your week going? We’ve been enjoying some beautiful crisp Autumn days here recently – the bright sun and cool air really helps clear the cobwebs. So, it will be no surprise to hear that Paddy and Plunkett have been out and about, and a little closer to home than usual, too. Let’s join them for a wander in the woods!

At the edge of the forest…

Ah, there they are! About to hop over the gate and go inside.
Uh-oh! Looks like excitement has got the better of Plunkett!
Fortunately, Paddy’s ninja-like reflexes saved him from a nasty tumble. But maybe next time they should go through the turnstile at the side, the way human visitors do.

Paddy has already spotted something interesting up ahead – that big white wedge-shaped stone!
“Hey, look! We’re in Canal Wood!”

Canal Wood is pretty young, as woods go. Volunteers from the Woodland Trust, a British conservation charity, planted the first trees to mark the millenium. Then, in 2014, extra funding allowed a few spiffy new features to be added, like better paths, a boardwalk over the marshy areas… And this sculpture! These leaves in the centre were designed by local schoolchildren – they show things like the wildlife you might meet on your visit, and the hand tools used to build the railway line and canal that border the woods.

To Paddy’s delight, it also features a Beastie-sized train and canal barge!
But as you go deeper into the woods, it’s easy to forget that these busy thoroughfares are close at hand. It’s so peaceful here! Plunkett is really in his element.
But peace and quiet isn’t really Paddy’s deal. It wasn’t long before he started looking for mischief… And he found it, in the shape of an unattended tandem.
He had high hopes of whizzing along the towpath of the Newry Canal on a bicycle made for two… Except that this one isn’t exactly made for two Beasties. Better just hop in one of the paniers and let the humans do the legwork when they come back!

Next stop, Poyntzpass!

This small village originally grew up around a crossing point in the surrounding marshes. Later, it became an important port on the canal, a link in the Belfast-Dublin railway and hosted a large monthly cattle market. It’s a little quieter now, but this beautiful metal sign celebrates its busy past. Plunkett had a closer look while Paddy dashed off to get some coffee – because of course, Paddy needs more hyperactive energy.
As well as the cattle market, horse-drawn barge and railway, the sign also shows the old schoolhouse and celebrates the awarding of the Victoria Cross (the most prestigious military decoration in Britain) to a locally-born man. Plunkett couldn’t resist getting a little closer – but then…
Oh no! He’s been bartered for a prize cow!

Will he ever find his way home? You’ll have to join us next week to find out!

Buckfast Abbey Exterior - B Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties

Buckfast Beasties!

Posted on September 18, 2018June 19, 2021 by crawcraftsbeasties in Beastie Family, Paddy and Plunkett

Hello everybody, and I hope this new week is treating you well! Today we’re going to catch up with Paddy and Plunkett, who we last saw exploring the weird and wonderful environs of the Lost Gardens of Heligan.
This time, they’re much less likely to have to save their woolly skins from prowling mud giants. Their wandering paws have brought them to this peaceful place!
This is Buckfast Abbey, home to an entirely self-supporting community of Benedictine monks.

The original abbey at Buckfast was demolished in 1539 during the Dissolution of the Monasteries, and the site became a quarry, then the grounds of a private house. But then, in 1882, the land was purchased by the Benedictines, who set about re-establishing a monastic community here.

Building work started in 1907, and took around 30 years to complete. And looking at what they created…
… You’d never know that this was accomplished with virtually no mechanical assistance. The monks borrowed a horse and cart from a local farmer for transportation, and their scaffolding was held together with tied ropes! And if you think that’s impressive…
… The interior will take your breath away!
And outside the Abbey, the grounds also contain a farm, sensory garden, lavender garden and a working water mill. The atmosphere of calm and reflection here really amazed the boys – maybe that’s why they’re not gadding about in front of the camera as much as usual!

However, on the way out, they stopped by the Abbey’s produce shop…
… To pick up a Beastie-sized sample of one of the monks’ most celebrated creations – Buckfast Tonic Wine!

“I think it’s important we support all the good work these people do, Plunkett. Now, follow me!”
Finding the perfect picnic spot isn’t always easy, but remembering that the monks built an entire Abbey using the most rudimentary equipment, the lads figured they could probably manage a short flight of steps.
“Nearly there! Aha, this looks perfect!”
Of course, Paddy was first to take a hearty glug from the bottle… I think we can all see where this is going.
Then again, Plunkett doesn’t look too steady on his feet either! This is potent stuff!
“Paddy, you are my bessshhht friend…”

Uh-oh, he’s away.
Quick, Paddy! Help him up! But carefully now, in case you…
… Fall over.

Oh well, I suppose we’d better leave them to sleep it off! There’s a lesson here about enjoying your fortified wines responsibly – especially if you’re only 5 and a half inches tall.

And how about you lot? Have you tried any interesting or unusual elixirs lately? Be sure to tell us all about it in the comments!

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