(Daffodil) World-Famous
I am back in Burgerbrug, and naturally, I am glad to be home. My trip took a bit longer than I originally expected, as the bulbs I had to distribute around the United Kingdom were delayed by storm Amy. Amy had put a few trees in strategic places and even blocked the driveway of one of my Daffodil friends. And to round it all off, the port also had delays, but still, I could not complain.
Why? Because all of this gave me the opportunity to spend a few more days with Brian and Betty Duncan. Whenever I am in Northern Ireland, I visit Brian and his wife, Betty. I usually spend a few days with them: with Brian’s wealth of knowledge about Daffodils (and many other things) and Betty’s hospitality. We can talk about Daffodils until the early morning hours, all while enjoying one of Brian’s impressive whiskey collection—his other hobby. To any reader who is at least somewhat familiar with the Daffodil World, I do not have to explain who Brian is, but if you are not in it, let me just say that whatever David Beckham and Taylor Swift are to their respective industries, Brian is to the Daffodil world.
Brian has hybridized many of the best and most beautiful Daffodils out there, and other Daffodil enthusiasts make long journeys to visit him to see his collection. Everyone who loves Daffodils knows where Omagh is located just because Brian and Betty live there. Last week, during one of our nightly Daffodil conversations, Brian told me: “Did you know that twelve Presidents of the American Daffodil Society have sat in that chair, where you are sitting right now? And growers and hybridizers from Tasmania, New-Zealand, and Japan. And your father, too.”
My father, who, Brian told me, visited him for the first time some fifty years ago. He was one of the first people to come to Brian for his Daffodils and bought the variety Fragrant Rose. And before you think I must be exaggerating when I say fifty years: Brian is, In fact, over ninety years old. Not that you would ever think that when you see him or Betty, not at all. But not a day goes past where Brian doesn’t tell me something along the lines of “When I pop my clogs…” Though I think there will be no clogs popped in the near future. Not only does he look too healthy for that, he also doesn’t have the time for it. Way too busy taking care of his Daffodils. He has hundreds of seedlings, and whenever you start a new variety, you need to wait about seven years before you really know if it’s going to be a success, so you kind of have to keep going.
For me, it has been 41 years since I visited Brian for the first time. Back then, I went with my brother Sigge, and after that, we skipped a couple of years. I think I was too busy, there was lots to do with our business. My trip to the UK and Ireland has been part of my routine for about ten years now, but before that, my visits to my many Daffodil friends here were more sporadic.
But this year, Mother Nature gave me extra days to spend with Brian and Betty. I could help Brian plant his Daffodils and drink whiskey with him. Almost like a holiday for me! Brian and Betty’s home is my favourite part of these trips. When I sleep in another inn or hotel during my tour and I see the B&B sign, I think of them. I hope there are many more visits in the future. There are so many Daffodil hybrids we haven’t discovered yet, but which I am sure will be beautiful. Betty, and Brian of course, if you are reading this, thank you, again, for your hospitality and friendship. I had a lovely time and am looking forward to next year already.
Next week, we’re back in the Dutch Daffodil World, there will be lots to tell after all this time. See you then!
Kind regards,
Carlos
Carlos
