Month: August 2024

A short holiday by Strangford Lough

~ Ashley ~ 45 Comments

Our short holiday should have been taken earlier this year, but had to be delayed.  The owner of the property we stayed at (Stay on the Bay, in Kircubbin) was really helpful and it was rearranged for August.

1view through the upstair lounge

The ‘upside-down’ cottage was brilliant and waking up in the mornings to the sound of the waves was wonderful.  The weather hasn’t been the best this year, especially August, but a change is as good as a rest, as they say!  Without stress or pressure, we just took each day as it came.

A short drive took us to Greyabbey.

1greyabbey

4greyabbey from the physic garden

Greyabbey was delightful.  The village has few shops but there is enough to keep one occupied, exploring the craft and antique shops before lunch.  Of course, a visit to the ruins of the abbey, a Cistercian monastery, is a must.  It was founded in 1193 by Affreca, the daughter of Gofraid, the king of Man and the Isles.  She was the wife of John de Courcy, the Anglo-Norman adventurer.

On another day, we visited the National Trust property of Mount Stewart.

1mount stewart main entrance

4the lake mount stewart 2023

The house, gardens and the estate are amazing!  We have visited here many, many times and never tire of this special place on the Ards peninsula.

Ashley

Early Autumn

~ Ashley ~ 45 Comments

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The bee,
Steadies herself on the windblown flower;
Sipping nectar.

This photograph shows a shrub that looks like ‘Rose of Sharon’ (Hypericum calycinum) but it is the shrub Hypericum Hidcote, sometimes known colloquially as St. John’s Wort.  Whatever its correct name, I love it because it has such bright yellow flowers, bringing the sun into the garden (the sun is certainly lacking here these days).

Also, today the wind is blustery and fresh, a reminder that the season has changed.  Still, I’m hoping for some warm days ahead, especially as we will be heading to the coast for a few days holiday towards the end of the month.

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Ashley.