Monday: 18 October 2010: Several months ago, out of the blue, one day a coffee tree standing about 6ft arrived - in a very tight tub.  This big momma was to join our baby coffee trees which we had been nurturing as best as we know how (I might add!)  We all oohed, aahed and looked appropriately impressed when Mc proudly announced the arrival of his new tree.  Well Tree faired pretty well in The Roastery Coffee House despite being in a tiny little tub and showed her appreciation through several clusters of white flowers. The Roastery Coffee House customers were oblivious to this and smiled indulgently when we gushed about Tree.  So like all proud parents, those intrusted with Tree's care, set about finding the perfect tub.  After all she had to be comfortable and grow - we had great expectations!

Tree expectantly waited (rather patiently) for us to find her the perfect pot... eventually Mc (well known for his charm) managed to get a rather smart pot and Tree was ceremoniously repotted by Colin and Jeff using 100 litres of potting soil - 'one hundred litres of soil' said Jeff when Mc asked about it.  Tree couldn't have been too happy with her 100 litres of top quality potting soil and produced a snug little blanket of white fluff to show her appreciation.  Yours truly looked at it and brought a spray bottle of insecticide - which worked really well on my roses at home.  Tree didn't oblige, she looked worse for wear and was removed from her position of valuable real estate to be left alone with her little blanket in the corner of Des' warehouse.  The baby trees were kept away from Tree and her negative influence and were given a piece of prime real estate in the Barista University.

We all continued to make comment about Tree and how dreadful she looked and we were advised to wash her down with a mixture of metholated spirits and water, so Sam and Audrey took on the responsibility.  Tree continued to look worse for wear and Mc (now thoroughly impatient with Tree) phoned the Botanical Gardens and asked their advice.  They recommend 100% metholated spirits - 100% metholated spirits? Now had Mc heard right, we wondered?  

Elaine was now roped in to look after Tree and dose her 100% in meths!  By now I was thinking, sure Tree'd be drunk with meths and what could she produce after all those fumes.  Elaine (a very determined lass) diligently sprayed and tlc'd Tree.  

Tree was then moved from Des' warehouse to a new position within our impact corridor (with the new purposely built stand and reunited with the baby trees) and to the delight and interest of customers and potential clients was carried by Colin and Jeff with Mc supervising. Fintan (one of our distributors), his customer and I were on a roastery tour and so I introduced Fintan's customer to the guys and to Mc.  She was bemused at the time, but impressed to see the owner of a company so passionate about Tree and the buzz of the staff interested in all aspects of the company over and above the day job.  And Tree, well she delighted with everyone's help along the way and Elaine's tlc produced two coffee cherries - which Elaine has coined the Ballycoolin Brew! Here's to you Tree!