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Plants => General discussion => Topic started by: ideasguy on November 25, 2009, 07:45:24 PM

Title: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: ideasguy on November 25, 2009, 07:45:24 PM
Ive received an email from a member of the the Sacramento Branch of the American Fuchsia Society.

As you may well know we have a very beautiful variety of Fuchsia which practically grows wild in the South West of Ireland.
Has anyone taken cuttings or propagated from those plants? If you succeeded, please let us know your propagation method.

Next important question, does anyone know the variety of those plants?

I grow Fuchsia magellanica in my garden and its as near as you can get to that variety (I think!)
I also grow the white (more like pale pink) variety:
Fuchsia magellanica 'Alba Aureovariegata'       

Any photos folk?
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: roiphil on November 25, 2009, 08:29:53 PM
Round here we have the red floweing fuchias that grows in hedgerows took softwood cuttings last year, (i dont think they had any previous years groth on the cuttings) and they are doing well, as for the variety red flowers green leaves  ;D  ::), will take a pic of the plants tomorrow,

all i did was to take the cuttings about 4 inches long remove bottom leaves and any flower buds, and just stuck about 2 inches in a pot full of sand that had been really compressed down and made sure they were well tight in the sand and left to mother nature, i seem to have more luck if i dont fuss over any plant  ::)
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: ideasguy on November 25, 2009, 09:55:01 PM
Those are indeed the plants that catch the eye of all visitors to Ireland Phil.
Would you mind taking a few cuttings tomorrow and putting them in the post?
I'd like to try and propagate from them.



Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: roiphil on November 26, 2009, 10:59:07 AM
will do regarding cuttings i shall just cut some branches off and you can work away on them, would rather put in post on monday, if i put in post today, they will just sit in a sorting office somewhere, for some reason posting to up north genearly takes a day longer for the person to receive, to wet your appetites some pics

plants
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s19/roiphil/Plants/f2.jpg)

flowers note the purple middle
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s19/roiphil/Plants/f1.jpg)

Excuse quality of bottom pic, picture taking is not my forte, pm me your address george cant find it anywhere  ::)

does any one have a name for this fuchsia

Phil
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: Eric Hardy on November 26, 2009, 06:50:06 PM
I loved those wild fuchsias growing in Western Ireland. I remember them especially on the opposite side of Dingle Harbour. I am talking about three visits between about 1961 and 1974 and they have always stuck in my mind. We have one very vigorous one here, still in full bloom which reminds me very much of the Irish wild fuchsia but the flowers are slightly larger. That of course may just be due to it growing in garden conditions.

This is a copy of a Kodachrome transparency of our eldest son Adam in 1961 in precisely that spot

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3041/3005680253_7f2d8c9a20.jpg)

Eric H
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: roiphil on November 26, 2009, 08:21:39 PM
yep they certaintly do look fantastic in the hedgerows there are hedges all down our lane with fuchsia, really colourfull till about august time which is hedge cutting season  :(
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: ideasguy on November 26, 2009, 09:09:55 PM
Thats great Phil! Monday is a good idea!
Is that a close up of a flower of one of the ones growing in your lane?

Nice photo of Adam Eric, and a nice view of the estuary further in the background.
I'm sure that picture was "composed" to get such an excellent shot ;)
That was a bit of good research to dig that out!

Thanks very much - very much appreciated all!

As you see, Scott (our new AFS contact from CA, USA)  has now registered as a member.
He's a bit apprehensive about forums, so please make him welcome folk!

Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: Scott on November 27, 2009, 05:43:39 AM
Hi-
I'm a new mamber and the person who contacted George re my interest in an Irish fuchsia.  I had in mind on my last visit to Ireland to return with a cutting so that I may have an interesting item in the garden to show and for me to have a living memory of my visit(s).  I came w/a zip lock baggie and with all my efforts, the cuttings didn't root.

I wonder if anyone has had success with such efforts or if you have good ideas for successful mailing of cuttings (hardwood I'm guessing might have the best chance).  I have ideas on what to do with such cuttings once they get here (cut again and have final cut below node).

Thanks in advance,
Scott
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: NightHawk on November 27, 2009, 08:31:50 AM
Welcome to the Forum Scott.

I'm sure your expertise will be invaluable here, and we look forward to hearing more from you.

Laurie.
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: Eric Hardy on November 27, 2009, 08:40:21 AM
And a big welcome from me too, Scott.

Eric H (not to be confused with Eric [Palustriis] who has been a membermuch longer and is more experienced than I am !)
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: roiphil on November 27, 2009, 10:49:56 AM
George the flower is a pic i took yesterday from one of the cuttings which i took last year which came from the fuchsias down the lane so in theory yes

Scott, welcome to the forum, regarding sending plants in post to uk, in southern ireland you have to be registered to send plants to uk one company is http://www.futureforests.net/ (http://www.futureforests.net/), big brother and customs strike again  ::) (i am hoping that Georges cuttings will arrive ok) If you ask George nicely he may send some of mine onto you, crazy i know but thats the system, with up north being part of UK

As for getting the cuttings to root i took mine in about June/July all i did was to take the cuttings about 4 inches long remove bottom leaves and any flower buds, and just stuck about 2 inches in a pot full of sand that had been really compressed down and made sure they were well tight in the sand, placed in cold frame and left to mother nature, watered when needed, i seem to have more luck if i dont fuss over any plant, as you say hardwood possibly now, but i am sending George a good choice of branches to turn into various forms of cuttings

I could start a good side line here every time i come to uk, bring some plants and post in the uk for delivery in the uk  ;D  ::)
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: ideasguy on November 27, 2009, 12:39:42 PM
Thats great Phil and welcome to the forum Scott.
I'm delighted to see you posting here. Fuchsias are fantastic plants and do exceptionally well in these isles, in many applications - open ground, containers and hanging baskets. We have a huge range to choose from.

Sending cuttings are probably best discussed in emails  ;)


Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: roiphil on November 27, 2009, 01:05:20 PM
cuttings out of a newspaper  ;D  ::)
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: Scott on November 27, 2009, 04:31:59 PM
Hi-
I'm listening to what I know to be the only live Internet radio out of Ireland (coming from Co Mayo) and will contemplate efforts on seeing Irish fuchsia examples here in California.  Not the same climate of course but as I speak it looks like Irish sunshine (rain) is brewing.

I thought the variety (one in particular?) along the laneways would suvive my journey but my last effort didn't work.  I was quite surprised to see so many familiar plants growing in Ireland but I guess the climate is fairly mild and just a bit more moist (especailly of late?).

I have my areas of interest and dabble in a number of things so hopefully this perspective will be of help to others.

Phil- are you anywhere near Mitchelstown?
Thanks to all,
Scott
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: roiphil on November 27, 2009, 08:20:29 PM
Scott
Near Limerick about 60 miles from mitchelstown

Quote
I thought the variety (one in particular?) along the laneways would suvive my journey but my last effort didn't work
should have cut a bigger branch off  ;D just dont them them fellas in yellow jackets at the ferrry ports stop you for a search  ;D  ;)
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: Scott on November 27, 2009, 09:03:52 PM
ONe of the first expressions I learned was "eeejit" so it's not the yellow jackets I fear  :o

OK, I usually visit (among other areas) the far corner where Counties Tipp, Cork, and Waterford meet and saw my share of fuchsias along the country roads.  It was when I was in Co Fermanagh that I took on my first samples.  I also do some research around Rathkeale, Co Limierick.

The wee bit of Irish sunshine and humidity that accompanied is doing the fuchsias well in the yard.

OK, off to see some wild fuchsia territories- the Sierra Nevad.

Slainte!
Scott
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: ideasguy on November 27, 2009, 11:23:59 PM
Would this be the place?
http://www.sierranevadaphotos.com/index.asp

Be sure to take some photos Scott!
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: roiphil on November 28, 2009, 10:28:56 AM
ONe of the first expressions I learned was "eeejit" so it's not the yellow jackets I fear  :o

I also do some research around Rathkeale, Co Limierick.


Slainte!
Scott

If its not the yellow jackets, it could be the irish drivers round these parts why do they take up 2 parking spaces in a carpark, or is it the guards that hide behind trees with their speed trap guns

Rathkeale 15 minutes up the road from me if you know the country lanes
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: Scott on November 28, 2009, 03:45:31 PM
That is the area George but they weren't serving fuchis berry jam :P We did continue to see familiar areas at an elevation of 4ooo' ( I only mention that because I don't think the mountains of England or Ireland reach that and it might be interesting to consider).  The weather started to turn so didn't take photos but headed down to the Valley again.

Phil- I blended right in with the drivers and my radar didn't point me to any of my traveling ancestors.

Thanks,
Scott
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: ideasguy on November 28, 2009, 08:34:25 PM
Mount Snowdon in Wales reaches 3,560 ft. Here in N Ireland our highest peak is Slieve Donard at 2789 ft.
Theres a few photos in this topic posted March 2006:
http://www.flowergenie.co.uk/ideas/forum/index.php/topic,133.0.html
I climbed Slieve Donard once as a schoolboy on a school "expedition".
There was heavy cloud that day and visibility was very limited.

Quote
For all that I saw there I might as well be
Where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea
(Percy French)

Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: Scott on November 29, 2009, 12:08:35 AM
I'm not recognizing those areas but knew there were some neighborhoods that received snow in Ireland.  The communitiy that I stopped yesterday was about 1/2 way to the summit before you drop to Lake Tahoe.  I haven't looked them up but there are some perennials that suvive the winters in the Sierra and they have fuchsia as part of their common name- I have my doubts that they are true fuchsias.

Very nice photos of scenery, family and friend. 

I made a point of seeing the apparent origin of the Irish Yew and saw some nice rhoddies at Powerscourt but do you know if azaleas and gardenias are common in Irelan (or England)?  I think I saw some azaleas at Mockroos (sp?) House in Killarney.  They are commonly planted together here (at least on the West Coast).

~Scott
Title: 'Tinker' Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: Scott on January 04, 2010, 01:37:51 AM
Hello everyone,
I hope 2010 is treating you (and your gardens) well.  I made use of some dry weather by pruning some more on my peach which gave me less to spray.  I need to next work on the nectarine but I do see bulbs sprouting so it gives hope to brighter days!

I looked at a Fuchsia Society in Ireland (their website) but I couldn't find an e-contact.  I think it was based out of Dublin but I wonder if there is e-contact for someone that can ID the 'Tinker' Fuchsia that is common on the roadsides (Phil has a photo of one but there might be others).

Happy New Year,
Scott
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: Katie on January 04, 2010, 04:29:11 AM
So interesting to read about your native fushias in Ireland! 

On the other side of the pond, over in Washington State (USA), we love hardy fushias as well. In fact, the claim is made by the Hardy Species Fushia Society, that my local Arboretum has the largest public collection of hardy fushias in the world.  To top it off, it was just established in 2009.  That claim should give rise to an interesting discussion of who has the largest collection! 

Anyone living or visiting in the area can check out our website (oh, yes, I am on the Board) to plan a visit and check out the fantastic fushias.
http://www.lakewildernessarboretum.org/
Only 5 more months till bloom time starts!

And check out this cool site:
http://www.nwfuchsiasociety.com/

Ah, looking forward to spring already.
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: Eric Hardy on January 04, 2010, 07:34:15 AM
Mount Snowdon in Wales reaches 3,560 ft.
And when I was younger I walked all three boys to the top! I have an old slide, which I have scanned, taken about 1974. No fuschias though!

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3184/2983108733_b60d063c78.jpg)

Eric H


Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: roiphil on January 04, 2010, 04:03:50 PM
may have found the name for that fuchsia GENII

http://www.thegardener.btinternet.co.uk/diaryaugust06.html (http://www.thegardener.btinternet.co.uk/diaryaugust06.html)

http://www.gardeningexpress.co.uk/ProductDetails.asp?ProductID=1722 (http://www.gardeningexpress.co.uk/ProductDetails.asp?ProductID=1722)

It looks very similar to my pic, possibily wrong, i do have a book called irish gardening for all seasons by Dick Boyce and it does mention these fuchsis that grow along the lanes in co. kerry. there is a picture of the exact fuchsia but it does not give a name unfortunately

(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s19/roiphil/Plants/f1.jpg)

Have just sent email to Dick Boyce http://www.boycesgardens.com/index.htm (http://www.boycesgardens.com/index.htm) to see if he can put a name to it
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: ideasguy on January 04, 2010, 07:46:16 PM
Its definitely not Fuchsia 'Genii' Phil.
I have it in my garden, not just because of the name Genie, but because it is a very unique an worthy plant.
It differs from most other Fuchsias in that the foliage gold and very distinctive.
That link you've added is to Chrissie Hartens website. I'm proud to say Chrissie is a member of our forum (member name is The Gardener)
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: roiphil on January 04, 2010, 08:58:58 PM
ok that rules out that name was paying attention to flower colour and not foliage at the time, coincidences on that website  8), will let know when i have email back from dick boyce
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: ideasguy on January 04, 2010, 11:55:59 PM
Ive visited the Phyl and Dick Boyce website, and I have to say I am very impressed.
Thanks for posting the link, Phil!
Do you know them, or have you been to their garden?
I see they are in County Limerick so presumably within easy driving range.
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: Lyn and Malcolm on January 05, 2010, 12:08:05 AM

Is this the one we are talking about. Be warned it has lots of synonyms

http://www.chileflora.com/Florachilena/FloraEnglish/HighResPages/EH0306.htm (http://www.chileflora.com/Florachilena/FloraEnglish/HighResPages/EH0306.htm)

Malcolm
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: ideasguy on January 05, 2010, 12:08:55 AM
RE:
Quote
over in Washington State (USA), we love hardy fuchsias as well. In fact, the claim is made by the Hardy Species Fuchsia Society, that my local Arboretum has the largest public collection of hardy fuchsias in the world...  
... I am on the Board
Wow Katie, you are a busy little bee!
Thanks for posting those links. I had a quick look and will check them out more thoroughly tomorrow.
All the more interesting knowing we have a contact ;)
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: roiphil on January 05, 2010, 09:39:21 AM

Is this the one we are talking about. Be warned it has lots of synonyms

http://www.chileflora.com/Florachilena/FloraEnglish/HighResPages/EH0306.htm (http://www.chileflora.com/Florachilena/FloraEnglish/HighResPages/EH0306.htm)

Malcolm
looks very similar malcolm, looking at the pic from your link the flower looks longer, maybe the pic i dont know for sure
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: roiphil on January 05, 2010, 09:44:58 AM
Ive visited the Phyl and Dick Boyce website, and I have to say I am very impressed.
Thanks for posting the link, Phil!
Do you know them, or have you been to their garden?
I see they are in County Limerick so presumably within easy driving range.

Not been to their garden and it is only 15 minutes from me aswell at Foynes, the book is very interesting aswell
Irish Gardening For All Seasons Dick & Phyl Boyce ISBN 1-85635-495-4 www.mercierpress.ie (http://www.mercierpress.ie) if anyones interested

Phil
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: roiphil on January 08, 2010, 07:41:13 PM
Ok had email back from Dick Boyce and he said
 
Hi Philip

Thanks for email on fuchsia.
I always thought that the fuchsia that grew wild in Kerry was Fuchsia magellanica or a hybrid of it.

Fuchsia magellanica has been used widely to produce many hardy fuchsia.  It is a fuchsia that propagates very easily, I have seen pieces that were left on the ground after clipping sprout and grow. This may explain why it is found so widely in Kerry, pieces that were broken off by passing lorries fell to the ground and grew, many pieces were scattered by wind to produce new colonies of fuchsia.

Sorry that I cannot be more specific. If you do find the name I would like to know it.

edited that is the same name as the one in your pic malcolm so do we have a winner all in favour say aye  ;)  ;D
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: ideasguy on January 08, 2010, 09:23:27 PM
Aye
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: Lyn and Malcolm on January 09, 2010, 12:00:05 AM

A winner  ;D

I have quite a collection already of them STARS

**********************

Malcolm
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: NightHawk on January 09, 2010, 05:32:46 PM
Just catching up on recent postings due to being offline for 2 days as it was the turn for our 'office' to get decorated.  (Extensive computer withdrawal symptoms because of it  :o )

Anyway Phil - AYE!!!!!!

Laurie.
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: roiphil on January 10, 2010, 05:53:51 PM

A winner  ;D

I have quite a collection already of them STARS

**********************

Malcolm

Sorry but i dont have a trophy to hand to give to you  ;D
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: Lyn and Malcolm on January 11, 2010, 07:49:28 AM

 :'( :'( :'( :'(

Malcolm
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: roiphil on January 11, 2010, 01:41:26 PM
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s19/roiphil/trophy.png)

 ;D
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: Lyn and Malcolm on January 11, 2010, 06:36:30 PM

Thank you Phil, much better   :-\

Malcolm
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: roiphil on January 11, 2010, 08:56:33 PM

Thank you Phil, much better   :-\

Malcolm

 :-\ Sorry its a tad tiny but clipart did not have a bigger one
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: Lyn and Malcolm on January 11, 2010, 10:55:41 PM

It's the thought that counts Phil.

Malcolm
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: roiphil on January 12, 2010, 09:55:51 AM

It's the thought that counts Phil.

Malcolm

 :D  ;D
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: ideasguy on May 21, 2010, 12:00:03 AM
This evening, I was invited to speak to the members of the Belfast branch of the Irish Fuchsia Society (after the Lecture by the main speaker) , to tell them about the Members Garden Photos Project which I dd for the Rose Society of Northern Ireland.
My suggestion was to do a similar project for their members.
Not only was it was a very interesting evening, it was a pleasure to meet up with such an association of enthusiastic plant lovers! They were very receptive, I'm pleased to say. More about that later :)

The main speaker was the President of the Irish Fuchsia Society - Christine O'Flynn, from Dublin.
The subject?
Specis - Origin of today?s Fuchsias

What better opportunity to ask an expert about our Fuchsias in Ireland topic ;)
I spoke to Christine before the meeting began, and she informed me that the varieties growing with abandon in Ireland are most likely to be Fuchsia Riccartonii. In fact, it was featured in Christines lecture.

Scott has emailed to say his specimen is growing away nicely. When it starts to produce flowers, he will be in a better position to make an ID of the "cutting" supplied by Phil.
 

Heres their program for 2010-2011:
http://www.ideasforgardens.com/IrishFuchsiaSociety/index.html
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: roiphil on May 22, 2010, 06:18:30 PM
interesting Fuchsia Riccartonii. all confused now, still never mind, how did your cuttings fair george did they survive ?
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: ideasguy on May 23, 2010, 09:03:36 AM
My cuttings didnt take, Phil. Probably the wrong time of year, going into winter. Thank you once again for sending them to me.
Never mind though, I'd like to wait until mine all flower again (to make an ID comparison) as I may have that one in the garden already, in two places.
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: roiphil on May 23, 2010, 09:48:34 AM
ok i can resend in the autumn  ;) if you want another, surprisingly the ones i have all surivived being under all that snow and ice for a week and they are shooting up from the base again  8)
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: ideasguy on May 23, 2010, 09:54:18 AM
Thanks Phil, let see how we get on this summer.
They are hardy as old boots once established!
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: Scott on January 29, 2011, 06:43:47 AM
Well, I've been held captive but allowed out to work in the bog for a while. No recent posts but my "cutting" was the talk of Northern California (robust with growth, color, etc.) until late July, 2010. We do have a different climate than Ireland (surprise?) but it didn't get direct afternoon sun, had water from sprinkler system, fertilizer.............then just dropped most of the leaves quickly.  I always suggest folks take cuttings when they obtain fuchsias from any store and especially from other areas of the state but I wasn't quick enough on such guidance myself and didn't have a successful cutting to  carry on the experiment and memory of Ireland :-(

That being said, I'm more anxious than ever to try again!

I just ordered some long-keeper tomato seeds and am ready for a great harvest in 2011.

All the best,
Scott
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: ideasguy on January 29, 2011, 05:40:43 PM
Did you keep the plant Scott?
I wouldnt give up on it yet. As you know, they are pretty resilient, and it might just surprise you.
The plant you had came from Phil.
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: Scott on January 29, 2011, 06:56:13 PM
Me, being me, I kept the parent plant (cut back in summer to try and trigger new growth) and have several cuttings- all dropped leaves during summer as I described.  I scratched the skin on the parent and I think (will check) it was not green.  If so, not a good sign.  All said, because of it's native growing habits, it would surprise me with the care it was given (too much maybe!).  I e-mailed Phil.

It looks like Ireland of later here- not the usual sunshine:-(  Fruit trees all pruned and 2/3 of dormant spraying done (foggy but no rain helps).

Thanks,
Scott
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: ideasguy on January 29, 2011, 10:26:11 PM
I cut my Fuchsias of that variety to 2 ins from ground each spring and they push up new stems, so with luck if you do the same they may respond Scott.
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: roiphil on February 08, 2011, 10:59:57 AM
oh dear, the demise of the irish fuchsia  :'(, but maybe not, scott you emailed me sorry did not receive it but anyway, i do the same as george cut down to practically ground level after frosts have gone and hopefully it should survive, maybe you are giving it to much care, dont forget it came from a cutting i took from a roadside hedge that gets a trim once a year by a tractor and that is it, be mean to be kind  ;D

As to why they lose their leaves just like that i dont know, overwatering, fetilizer, could be a cause

Phil
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: newplantguy on February 08, 2011, 12:51:34 PM
Fuchsia cuttings dropping leaves - temperature extremes, I find they do shoot from the base not always but worth a try.
Paul.
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: ideasguy on February 08, 2011, 07:31:13 PM
Thanks for that info, Paul and Phil.
Hopefully Scott will keep us informed if the plant returns this year.
Title: Re: Fuchsias in Ireland
Post by: Eric Hardy on February 09, 2011, 10:41:56 PM
Don't give up Scott. We have a big old fuschia which we cut down to about 6 inches. This year, after all our snow and ice it looked as dead as a dodo. I  tried to test one or two stalks but they seemed dead. I was almost for having it out when, very late in the season, one or two buds appeared and suddenly it all sprang into life again.