Raining today in Northern Ireland. You might say “what’s new??” but it’s hardly rained since we arrived a couple of weeks ago. Cold, clear days – the temperature has rarely gotten over 5 degrees Celsius during the day – but the sun has been shining. I’ve attempted to dry some washing outside but it just doesn’t happen. Thankfully we found a wrought iron stand in the old laundry building next door – it’s full of old treasures – and made it into our own, very unique, indoor “clothes line”. Added lots of bits and pieces that we found lying about. It now stands proudly in the kitchen and makes the most of the warmth – we have the fire going most days. Having clothes hanging about makes the place look very homey and lived in!! I like it.
Speaking of keeping the home fires burning Reg and Chris spend heaps of time chainsawing and collecting wood. Most of the wood is quite a distance from the house/cottages so we use the JCB – the back hoe tractor thingy – to bring it back home. It has a big bucket on the front – perfect for carting wood. There’s also some hedges that need a trim before winter sets in – another toy for Reg to play with. But the grass hasn’t grown at all – temperatures too low. No red ride on mowers buzzing about the place – not quite the same! I have resumed my baking duties and cook the evening meal. Not a bad trade off!
We’ve gone for a couple of walks lately. The first was to the river that runs through Mourne Park – sits deep down in the next valley. Very different this time of year but still very beautiful – not too late for some autumn colours. Also drove to the Silent Valley Reservoir and walked along its edge. Checked out the Binnian Tunnel – redirects water from the Annalong Valley into the reservoir. The tunnel was built between 1947-1950. Quite an amazing engineering feat to carve a tunnel through the Mourne Mountains at the time. They started digging/blasting from both ends and were only 2 inches out when they met in the middle. Not bad!! It was mid/late afternoon when we visited Silent Valley so we saw the sun disappearing behind the hills as we headed back towards the car park – wonderful light to take some photos. There’s a very interesting stone overflow drain – shaped like a funnel – near the reservoir wall. It sits high above the water level at the moment – makes it hard to imagine the reservoir full to almost overflowing and the drain bursting with swirling rushing water. Would love to see it though!
Now yesterday was “Dicken’s Day” in Kilkeel – our local village. A sort of pre-Christmas celebration. Lots of special treats in the local shops, horses pulling buggies in the streets, wine tasting, reindeer and Father Christmas in the afternoon. A parade full of country style floats – lots of tractors and trucks covered in fairy lights and LED’s – when it got dark. Reg and Chris were very impressed with a vintage JCB – it was definitely their favourite! We really enjoyed ourselves – lots of people everywhere. Children rugged up to the nines, full of excitement as they ran around checking things out. Christmas lights and decorations twinkling away in the trees and on street lamp posts. Makes you realize just how close Christmas is!
That’s it for now. We are really enjoying our “revisit house sit” in Mourne Park.
Lots of love
Di and Reg
This entry was posted in House Sits, Mourne Park (2), Mourne Park, Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
I want one! (The clothes-horse). Very clever.
ha ha – maybe it’s the next big thing! Hope you are both well xxx
You look great in that fur hat, Di!
And yes, lovely autumn colours (although I tried to avoid looking at the “come to Mama” ones on the clothes airer! haha!
It’s all about comfort!!
Yea love the close horse very innovative Di. It looks cold there and here we are looking forward to the warmer weather.
Sometimes hard to get your head around the opposite seasons. Hope the warmer days come soon for you guys. You need a bit of sunshine after all the earthquakes you’ve had recently! Love to Jim xx