The weather has been wet, windy and miserable recently so when the sun finally decided to come out from behind the clouds we jumped in the car and headed to a place we haven’t visited in a long time.  Rowallane!  One of the National Trust’s properties not too far from home.

Perfect!

It is believed that St. Patrick came to this area of County Down in 432AD and following his death an abbey was built on the site.  After its destruction by the Vikings in the 12th century it was re-founded as an Augustinian Priory which was also destroyed, in the 14th century by Edward Bruce.

On the 1500th anniversary of the landing of St. Patrick the current building was opened, on All Saint’s Day in 1933.  Prayer and worship continue to this day.  A beautiful church and a reminder of our Christian roots on this island.

Yesterday it rained, then it rained even harder, then there was a thunderstorm!

Today however, was wonderful.  A day out in great company.

From Sandy Bay to Ram’s Island it took twenty minutes on the ferry.  There were the usual Lough Neagh midges to contend with but not the in numbers we get earlier in the year, and they don’t bite!

A walk, a talk and a picnic.  Brilliant!

 

Even though it’s raining,

The sun still shines;

Marigolds!

The road ahead

Big hedge on the right

Old horse in the field

Trees all around

The lane ahead

All the way home

I can’t resist poppies and neither can this bee.  Beeautiful!

My physio said that I must walk more.  So this afternoon I did just that!  Two miles out on the main road and then into the country lanes.  The difference in the levels of noise is enormous!  Cars going at speeds they shouldn’t, creating regular whooshing sounds as they pass by me, and then as I turn into the lane, peace and quiet, as if I’ve just closed a door.

I am in low spirits just now as I read the other day that one of my favourite poets had died; Mary Oliver (1935-2109).  “Make of yourself a light” that’s what she wrote once!

The sky is wrapped around the landscape like a great grey blanket, ensuring the moisture cannot escape.  The only sounds are the blackbirds, sparrows, starlings, hooded crows, a robin, a pair of magpies and the quiet shush of the wind.

January – Slieve Donard Newcastle County Down

February – Crumlin Road Gaol Belfast

March – Guildhall Art Gallery London

April – Donaghadee Harbour County Down

May – Heaton Park Manchester

June  – South Stack Anglesey (RSPB reserve)

July – Garden County Armagh

August – Dungonnell Reservoir County Antrim (Hen Harrier Day)

September – Greyabbey House County Down

October – Hedge County Armagh

November – Newry Canal County Armagh

December – Merry Christmas 2018

 

Oak and Beech

We step off the track and onto the field, to gather beneath an old oak tree.  Like children, we gaze into its canopy, and watch the flickering light spill down through the leaves.

Turning,

I look out across the field

to a beech that stands alone.

I walk towards its prescence,

and dip below its heavy boughs

where the ground is dry

and the air is still.

Within the bounds of this trees’ reach,

I’m grounded by its great endeavours,

my feet rooted in the brittle earth.

I’m looking forward to returning to this wonderful city very soon.