Happy New Year

Wishing you all the best for 2010 - the year begins with a big freeze here as with most of the northern hemisphere!

Winter Snow

Slieve Donard, white with snow, taken from The Mound of Down, Downpatrick

The Mourne Way

We had a welcome visit from Oldham Ramblers this week, and we had great craic!

They were staying at Golf Links House in Newcastle ("A great place to stay!"). They caught the Mourne Rambler Bus up to the Blue Quarry near Spelga, and walked back down to Newcastle.

On their way, they stopped with us for soup, tea & cake. It went down well.

It got me thinking that we should remind people that we are on the Mourne Way, a newly signposted walking route from Newcastle to Rostrevor, all in the majesty of the Mournes, and that we are in a great place to stop: a strategic place. We are the first refreshment stop after Newcastle, and the last before Tollymore Forest (depending in your direction)

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