Castlewellan: Boxing Day 2011

Perfect day for a walk around Castlewellan Lake - cold bright, exhilarating

I'm not too sure about this ...

Castlewellan Lake

Elaine Eleanor Kate Lauren & James (and some of Charlie)

Kate Eleanor & John (ditto dog)

Happy Family!

Family: Christmas 2011

What a privilege: to have all our family round us for Christmas!


Kate & Eleanor, James and Lauren, and us two.


Whilst the weather was unseasonal (or more typical for this western island) the atmosphere was warm and cosy in the Mobile Home and our Christmas Grotto - what will next Easter be the New Gallery - more to follow on that adventure!


And at least no travel disruptions got in the way of a brilliant family time:

Christmas Day breakfast - Lauren Eleanor & James

The Christmas Grotto: fire's lit and Santa has been!

Eleanor at work

Eleanor & Elaine

Santa's stockings

Charlie - worn out already

The Train Set - not seen for two years - 

- and new wagons to play with!

Boxing Day

perfect for a walk

Rowallane

It's been so long since I posted! feels quite remiss - I've had lost of posts (and pics) in my head but events conspired to never let me get down to it.
So here's a few of the remembered ones put down out of time, just to get us up to date


Rowallane Yuletide Market


It's past the Yuletide season I know, but the main aim of this post is to show how much this outstanding garden shines - even in the depths of winter.

mysterious forms

Charlie alert as ever!

bursting with new life

more sculpture / folly

strangely sinister!

resting up!

the mossy wall

everywhere - depth and proportion

the courtyard buildings

the top of the walled garden

still much colour - in December

frosty

walled garden perspective

frosty

Yuletide Market scene

warming by the fire

the Walled Garden

Bulbs breaking through

and just where is he off to?

the Courtyard entrance

Rowallane Garden is owned by the National Trust, and open every day - well worth a visit any time of year