It amazes me just how beautiful this little country is, even when the sun isn’t shining!

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These are pictures taken not far from the Visitor Centre looking down the valley to the Irish Sea and hazy views of Scotland in the distance.

Only a short walk today as our purpose here today was to add our voices to the Hen Harrier Day campaign.

I recently read a post about a visit to Granada in Spain.  The bright skies, perfect blues and the feeling of light was amazing in the author’s photographs.  I have never been to Spain, so I made a promise to myself that I should go there soon.

For now, today, I could only go as far as the southern end of Belfast, to Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park, about a half hour drive from home.

Of course it was raining, that fine soft rain that soaks you right through!  So here are some flowers to cheer me up!

The sun was shining when I arrived in the village but thereafter it mostly rained.  It was after all the Lake District but it didn’t worry me on this visit as the course I was on was indoors at the Cycle Cafe  –  http://www.quirkyworkshops.co.uk

I was on a wood engraving course and it was brilliant!  Here is some of my work.  I should point out that all of the wood blocks we worked on were very small, about 2″ x 1″.

Now that I’m home again I need to buy some tools so that I can continue.  Wish me luck!

Our patio table has been unused for some weeks.  This pot however seems to be enjoying being in the centre of things!

What a day it was on the 23rd of June!  We drove to Mount Stewart on the Ards Peninsula to relax and enjoy the sunshine!

After our walk around Tollymore Forest Park on Saturday, we spent most of Sunday relaxing in the garden,

surrounded by these wonderful colours.

We started here

walked here

and here

and here

and ended here, in Newcastle, County Down.

Taken this morning this picture shows one of my favourite flowers.  I just love poppies, I hope you do too!

One minute it was raining, then hailstones, then the sun came out!  At that point I decided it was time I went for my walk.  What’s that expression, there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing?  On with the big coat then, well, the wind is rolling in from the north west and it feels like it’s only 7 or 8 degrees.  I remind myself that it is only 8 weeks until the longest day, the summer solstice!

Anyway, I’m off for my walk.  Walking is such great exercise not just for physical benefit but for clearing the head.  I recently hurt my back, the third time this year, and it has been difficult to establish a routine.  However after a couple of weeks on medication and rest my physio suggested it was time to stop taking the tablets and to get moving again and to walk at least twice a day for 30 minutes each time.  I’ve been doing just that for a week now and at last I’m feeling so much better.  I’ve just increased the 30 minutes up to 40 minutes and I shall now be striding out for longer with each walk.

Of course it hasn’t been as straightforward as hurting my back, for in March my dear mother passed away and I’m still trying to come to terms with that loss.

I put my head down and walk like this until I move away from the main road and the traffic.  Then it’s into the lane and I slow my pace going up the slight incline.  On either side of me the rain is still dripping off the trees and into the puddles and I feel my mood change.  I push my hood back and my depression is swept away by the wind.  It’s time to start making plans again.