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December 2025 - Featured Article:

What's Another Year?

image of the Sanctuary Synthetics fleet in the yard - Dec 23rd, 2026

Well that’s a wrap folks. How was your 2025?

With the psychology finishing line looming I, for one, am glad to stumble over it more or less in tact. I attended a funeral a couple of days ago. The man was in his mid 80’s and led a full life so not as sad as some I’ve been to this year. Egg sandwiches remind me of death now. Such days are always a reminder to be grateful, despite the inevitable adversity’s we all face, to be above ground and still in the game.

A Word From Mark ...

This blog is my own take on the many issues faced by self-employed landscapers and designers. As such it contains plenty of strong opinions and occasional 'adult' language (i.e bad!).

Technically a disclaimer means 'a denial of any connection with or knowledge of'.
I do take responsibility for my musings but can't and won't accept complaints regarding any offence readers may choose to take.

That said, feedback is always appreciated. I'm unlikely to be gratuitously politically incorrect and I do hope you find it informative, honest, sometimes challenging, and, at the very least, enjoyable.
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From The Archive 

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Choosing the Right Professional

Choosing the right professional for your artificial grass or landscaping project is just as crucial as selecting the right materials. It’s a significant investment in your property, whether for your…
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What, another one?

Ah lads, really? Yes, I’m back again mostly to remind you guys, my favourite people, that I’m putting my head above the parapet with the imminent publication of ‘the Big…
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Back again!

Hello again. Jeez, back so soon after being so quiet for so long. You’d swear he had a book to sell or something. Funny you should think that. Unless Putin…
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It’s been a while …

Hi guys, I know, it’s been a while. But that’s ‘cos I’m (a) both lazy and busy plus (b) I’ve been working on a little side project. Announcing, for those…
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Swardfight

We’re using a lot more artificial grass than we used to. It’s on pitches, playgrounds, balconies, rooftops, gardens, road verges and everywhere in between. It’s a phenomenon and the jury…
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The Hell Of Bloom!

As I write this my IPhone is on 1%- that’s kind of how I feel right now. Tired. Not just physically but also mentally and emotionally. It’s draining to stand…
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A brewing scandal

Today's blog is about a brewing scandal and what you should know about it. Following a recent Irish Times article/strong> on the potential carcinogenic effects of rubber infill in artificial…
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It’s hard not to be a cynic

Yesterday I half listened to a smooth talking and, no doubt, generously remunerated HSE representative [yeah, thanks Mary Harney and B,B,Bertie for preserving the vast layers of middle management there]…
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Bless me Father

For I have sinned.Its been several months since my last confession, er, I mean blog post/email to you. I don’t mean to be blasphemous, rather, you can take it as…
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Screw it, lets do it!

A belated happy new year to you. The reason you have not heard from me for a while, besides demonstrating my powers of procrastination, is that I was worried that…
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