August at The Turnip House

We are enjoying a burst of high summer over the last few days - the workshop is busy every day with walkers and vacationers staying in Tollymore and Slievenaman, and the garden is looking spectacular!

Charlie has taken up post outside the kitchen door, waiting to be chief "meeter and greeter" a job to which he has taken like a professional!

The Salmon's Leap in The Mournes

Summer Rain Storm 21st July 2009

We've had a good few inches of rain today - heavy downpours lasting well into the afternoon. It brightened up with hot sunshine later, so we went down to see the Salmon Leap Falls - spectacular!

Charlie get a mention in the Irish Times

Fame at last for Charlie!

We were delighted that Charlie gets a mention in this Irish Times article by Deirdre Davys of 27 June about walking in the the Mournes.

At the end of the article Deirdre says: "Once back at the car park, a delightful finish to your day would be a pot of coffee in the garden of Turnip Cottage with Charley, the friendly giant, lying across your feet.
It’s okay – he’s the dog, not the owner."

Charlie would love to meet you too!

Slieve Binnian viewed form the Silent Valley. Only 6 miles from the Turnip House as the crow flies.

Storms and Rainbows: Turnip House 27 May 2009

Green, White, Gold - and Blue. The colours of Mourne in Spring.

Really spectacular weather has brought our the spring leaves and blossoms. Her is a montage of Hawthorn, blackthorn and whin, taken around Clonachullion Hill this weekend

St Patrick's Day 2009

Started murky with heavy mist, but by lunchtime the sun was shining and the day was good.

Made Colcannon for the workshop for the first time - a great success.

it really felt like spring today - a great portent for the year ahead!

Ancient Field marking exposed in the snow between Bryansford to Hilltown.

September 2008

The sun sets on a beautiful September day, casting a ruby hue over Luke's Mountain, Slievenaglogh and Slieve Bernagh.

Carlingford Lough

Taken from The Flagstaff Viewpoint, near Newry County Down 22 September

Shimna River

Shimna River; Salmon's Leap 20 February 2007

Yesterday the Mournes saw a day of torrential rain 

February Frost

 

witch hazel in bloom

 

 

Turnip House

Turnip House Summer 2006
 

Mourne Mountains

Newcastle, County Down 23 May 2006

A fine morning between the weather fronts!
 

12 May 2006

Looking down towards Clonachullion Hill from Fofanny


 

On The Slopes of Slieve Gullion

Climbed up today with Chocolate the dog, beautifully sunny on the lower slopes, cloud and wind higher up.

The highest passage tomb in Ireland is on the top - 576 m high!

 

Easter 2006

Looking North towards Tullaree Hill
 

Easter 2006

Looking South towards Clonachullion Hill

Doan from the Bann Road to Lough Shannagh

 

3 April 2006

Slieve Bignian
 

24 March 2006
The larches are coming into leaf and are intensly spring green!
This is not colour enhanced!
 

16 March 2006
Slieve Commedagh, The Mourne Wall and Tollymore Park

 

15 March 2006

I've been away at the Manchester Irish Festival - great people, in it's 11th year and better every time - except for the snow!

Back home now to St Patrick's Day here - the gorse is in abundance


 

Blackbird

This blackbird comes to the garden every day. Today he was sitting in the cherry tree outside the back door.

 

BallymcDermott Court Tomb

One of the best court tombs in Ireland, cnstructed 5,500 years ago and still powerfully evocative.

Standing on the shoulder of Camlough Mountain near to Newry County Down, this tomb has an almost circular courtyard, outside a three chambered grave.

It is in great condition considering the ravages of time and a collision with a US army vehicle during WWII!

Said to be haunted, this is certainly an enchanted place.

 

3 March 2006

BallymcDermott Court Tomb
On Camlough Mountain near Newry.

Built c.3500BC, a magnificent 3 chambered tomb with a circular ceremonial entrance courtyard

The snow capped summit of Slieve Donard, the highest peak in the Mournes (and in N. Ireland) looms in the distance.