Beach day

I’m always so keen to get back to the beach after the winter and to our little spot on Portstewart Strand.

 

Great Uncle George

 

I started this post back in late December when my Great Uncle George passed away but with all the home schooling going on and completely forgetting about keeping my blog up to date it stayed in the ‘drafts’ folder.

My childhood home is one field, as the crow flies, from where Uncle George lived. My childhood is full of memories of this quiet and endearing man. Often on a Saturday he would arrive in our kitchen, stand at the kitchen window looking out over his field of sheep, commenting now and again on what the weather was going to be like which depended on how the sheep were behaving or the smell in the air. He would then join us for a ‘scupful’ of soup at the kitchen table, slicing the butter like cheese and placing it on his wheaten bread. 

As I look back over his life, it is only now as an adult I realise how difficult his life must have been. His wife died of cancer when his third child, a son, was very young, leaving him with three young children to care for. His Son in law and granddaughter were killed in a car accident and his second daughter also died of cancer. 

As attending his wake and funeral due to Covid-19 was forbidden, his extended family and friends stood at the end of their lanes or driveways as his hearse slowly drove past. Then some of us got into our cars and followed the hearse to his local village church where he was buried. It was quite beautiful to see his country friends paying their respects as they stood by their farms or houses. 

As a note of sympathy to his family I did a sketch of his house, a house that was so familiar to me as a child and where Uncle George lived his whole life.

Potato harvesting

 

Walking with little ones, Trassey Track, Hare’s gap, Mourne Mts, N.Ireland

This weekend we took M up the mountains with us.

We parked at Meelmore Lodge, just off Trassey Road. I couldn’t believe how busy the car park, over flow car park and camping site were. We managed to find a spot to park and paid our £4 car park fee.

Our aim was to reach Hare’s gap, a stile on the Mourne wall between Sieve Bearnagh and Slievenaglogh. There are a number of small rivers to cross which was fun for the kids but made the journey quite slow and it felt like it took quite a bit of the kids energy to just get to the start of the Trassey track. Although it was a treat to watch the shepherds shearing the mountain sheep. The track follows the river and it was a balance to let the kids have fun climbing the boulders but also make some progress. In the end M and MJ went on ahead while Lj, Ez, C and myself went at a slower pace and enjoyed paddling in the ford at the base of the last big climb.

The nice thing about starting our hike at Meelmore is the facilities available. Good car parking, good toilets and a nice cafe. We enjoyed a hearty late lunch before heading home.

M enjoyed his trip and is already planning many more with us.

Walking with little ones, Hen Mountain, Mournes, N.Ireland

This week we made it back to the Mournes. As usual we were unsure what the weather would do so had sun hats, winter hats and rain coats packed. 

I had read online and in my guide to the Mournes that Hen mountain was a family friendly route to try. So we parked at Sandbank Road Carpark and had our picnic by the river. This is a lovely picnic spot with a number of tables set by the river and below the car park. 

The track begins opposite the Carpark and Hen mountain is clearly visible up ahead. It is an easy to walk on path and leads you slightly uphill to a set of gates. Once through the gates we headed straight up the side of the mountain but if you want an easier walk it would be better to remain on the track which goes off to the right. It is a quick but steep climb to the top. The kids reached the top much quicker than the adults which is always slightly unnerving!

The views from the top are amazing, as usual! I love the photo of my Mum at the top. I hope I’m still fit enough to climb when I am her age.

Coming down was more tricky as we weren’t sure which way we should descend. The older boys were keen to descend down the rock face. My Dad was unsure how safe it was for the little ones with us...Aged almost two and upwards. I guess we took too long to decide as before we knew it the older boys were heading down and setting up a route for us to pass the smaller kids down safely. 

I had hoped to find a spot by the river, by the track at the base of the mountain, so the grown ups could rest and the kids could enjoy paddling and throwing stones into the water but the boys got so far ahead we couldn’t turn them and ended up back at the car park.

Walking with little ones, The Big Stone, Cloughmore trail, Kilbroney, N.Ireland

This week, unsure of what the weather was going to do we took a safer option and visited Kilbroney Park, Co.Down, N.Ireland. The lovely C.S.Lewis trail is still closed due to COVID 19 restrictions, along with the cafe, toilets and mountain biking trails so the park was quieter than normal. We were keen to keep up our hill walking so had ‘The big stone’ or ‘Cloughmore’ in mind.

We set off from the Kilbroney Carpark but found it difficult to know where the track began. After asking for advise in the Cloughmore centre we realised there was a Carpark much further up the mountain. Myself, Lj and the little ones decided to take the car up, while the others trekked on foot.

From the second Carpark it is a short but steep walk to the stone. At the top we had fun playing hide n seek while we waited for the others to join us.

I loved this little bit of folklore...

Local Folklore claims it (the big stone) was thrown here by Finn Mac Cool during a fight with a Scottish Giant. During the same battle, the Scottish Giant allegedly tore out a handful of earth and flung it back at Finn, which missed. The earth landed in the sea and became the Isle of Man while the divot he made, filled up with water and became Lough Neagh. https://www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/Products/Kilbroney-Park

Walking with little ones, Ott mountain to Lough Shannagh, Mourne Mountains, Co.Down, N.Ireland

Day two of our summer exploring the Mournes.

Today we stopped for lunch at Silent Valley reservoir. It surprised me how windy it was. Thankfully my parents were joining us and they had a few extra layers in the car. We had dressed for a warm day of walking like last week. It was a bit too chilly to take time to explore Silent Valley and I was keen to get started on our trail. But we did take him to throw a few rocks into the water. Is there a child who doesn’t enjoy throwing rocks into water?

Our walk of the day began at Ott Mountain car park. A small car park but a great gateway to the Mournes. Crossing the busy road, we climbed the stile and started along the track. The track is clear and bends right along the edge of Ott Mountain. It doesn’t take too long to see and reach the distinctive Mourne wall, a good place to take a break and take in the view. After a biscuit or two we crossed over the wall and walked towards Doan. Mj and his cousin would have loved to keep trekking all the way to Doan but I felt the little ones had gone far enough. Calvin was v cold as the wind was severe.

Our descent was quick. The older kids able to walk on ahead as they were feeling confident of the route and knew where the car park was.

As with last week I am pleased with how well Ezra can walk and how much he loves trekking ahead on his own.

Calvin needed some shoulder carrying, but that was as much to keep the pace up and to get over the rockier/ wetter parts more easily.

On return home, I asked Mj if we should try another route next week, to which he replied ‘What about tomorrow?’! 

Walking with little ones, Granite Trail, Newcastle, Co.Down, N.I.

What a day! The sun was shining and we were in the Mourne mountains. I have always loved the Mournes and visited them most often in my teens. From doing Duke of Ed to hanging out with friends, it was always a fun and cheap day out. Since returning to live in N.I., almost 4 years ago, I have been longing for the times when I could go trekking alone or for the kids to be big enough to walk with me.

With my Dad’s old memories of a trail up to a granite quarry, we found the Bogie Line and began our ascent. A steep climb away from the sea and into the mountains. Ezra and MJ reached the top first. 

Over the stile and finding the track heading right into the forest we enjoyed the flatter terrain and stunning views over Newcastle and the Irish Sea.

Our trek downhill took us down the river and into Donard Carpark. The weather was so nice, we were able to take our sandals off and paddle in the cool river water. My hands were too busy holding small hands and shoes while navigating the river boulders to take any photos. 

The river and trail into Donard Park were busy with people enjoying the sunshine. Thankfully the ice cream kiosks in Newcastle were open as we were ready for something to cool us down and give us energy to get back to the car.

Castlewellan, Co.Down, N.Ireland

Our first trip since lockdown lifted took us to Castlewellan, Co.Down. The gardens, cafe and toilets were closed but we had come prepared. It was also possibly the first time we haven’t taken a buggy for Calvin and he managed the walk just fine. It felt good to get out as a family again.

Christmas at Centre Parcs, Longford, Ireland

We decided to do something a little different for Christmas this year and headed to the newly opened Centre Parcs, Longford, Ireland. We had a super time and are already considering booking for next year. The set up at Centre Parcs really suits us as a family. There is lots to do for all ages. It is active and outdoors but also plenty to do if the weather is not so favourable. We all loved their winter wonderland displays which made it all feel really Christmassy.

Autumn busyness

 This past few weeks we have been keeping busy...

 visiting friends while M helped them plant up their flower beds.

Picking the last apples off our trees...not a good year for apples...apparently!

Creating a number of personalised baby pictures.

Leading a crafting workshop for a group of teenage girls...more pics to follow I hope.

Celebrating my 39th birthday with my little English nieces. 

Getting out and about over half term. This was taken at the Ulster American Folk Park.

The weather has turned cold but dry, Calvin has had a bad breakout of Hand, foot and mouth and the kids have completed their first half term at school...Autumn is well underway!

Transport Museum, Belfast, N.Ireland

We had a great Saturday afternoon at the Transport Museum, Belfast. It feels like it has been awhile since we had this sort of outing and all four kids had a ball. It is amazing how MJ at 12 can enjoy a museum as much as Calvin at age 2. It has the cutest café too...an old railway station kiosk...I wish I had taken a photo. I suspect we will be visiting again soon and next time we will have more tasty cakes and I'll get a photo.