The article THE SUPERMARKET has been submitted for the Bonsai Vault Article Contest....Good Luck!

Name: #2 - Ash Barns
Country: Australia
Credits: None
Category: Non-Fiction
Submission Date: 04/21/2008

Thank you Ash for your submission

Ash I just loved your story!
Don't we all just wish we had a few available!
Mom

So ash............ where is this supermarket?

Nice article btw......... pictured you guys getting all dirty........ got any surviving tree pictures?

Irene many thanks for your kind words and yes it was a dream to dig there.

Susan the area is called Mardan and if you want to hitch a lift over I can supply all the essential equipment necessary for the dig.

Many trees still survive to this day and are developing nicely. The downside to this is Ray died suddenly in 2001 of an asthma attack and I never went back to the SUPERMARKET. Ray was only 53 and I was at a loss as to where to turn.

Happily I discovered the internet in 2005 and joined bonsaiTalk which led to other forums and eventually here. I didn't want to mention Rays' passing in the article to avoid the sympathy thing but I am very proud he was my teacher and mentor and yes Susan we did get wet and muddy but happy.


Ash

Ash Barns wrote:Irene many thanks for your kind words and yes it was a dream to dig there.

Susan the area is called Mardan and if you want to hitch a lift over I can supply all the essential equipment necessary for the dig.

Many trees still survive to this day and are developing nicely. The downside to this is Ray died suddenly in 2001 of an asthma attack and I never went back to the SUPERMARKET. Ray was only 53 and I was at a loss as to where to turn.

Happily I discovered the internet in 2005 and joined bonsaiTalk which led to other forums and eventually here. I didn't want to mention Rays' passing in the article to avoid the sympathy thing but I am very proud he was my teacher and mentor and yes Susan we did get wet and muddy but happy.


Ash

Ash, I'm sorry to hear you lost your mentor. I had a bonsai friend, also named Ray, who was a real spark plug in our local club. He passed several years ago of heart failure. He was an amazing man, former spook, who did whatever he wished anywhere and any time, because, he said, "It pleases me to do so." Hard to lose those unique individuals.

Thanks for a good story.

Ash have you considered taking a few young bonsaist under the wing and showing them this area?
Irene

Irene that is quite amazing as the thought crossed my mind a few days ago. We have a couple of young guys in our group who would fit the bill well. I am going up to visit the Whites' tomorrow (our study group) and I will put it to them. In the days to come I will go up and check the site out in case the area has been cleared. If it is still intact then I will contact the local council to obtain permission for an August dig.

Ash