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

Stormy Seas

during a brief trip to Newcastle last week we were lucky enough to see some great high seas 

The Little Sisters: Busking outside King's College

The Little Sisters: Busking outside King's College:

Kate & Eleanor, deep in the Christmas Spirit; singing for charity in Cambridge on Saturday

'via Blog this'

Welcome to The Lagan Lutherie School

For all those who have always wanted to create their own musical instrument, check out this fantastic place

Welcome to The Lagan Lutherie School:

'via Blog this'

Craft Fairs

'tis the Season. We'll be busy at Craft Fairs for the next few weeks.


It's a great time of year, in the build up to Christmas, both because it's good to get out and about, meeting old friends and and new, and as it's our best trading time (hopefully!)





A good Craft Fair is a great place to shop:

• locally produced goods
• made by real people who you can meet
• individual, often unique items
• things that are aesthetically pleasing
• a better atmosphere than the soulless shopping malls
• less hassle with getting there and parking
• often in inspiring locations

Here's our schedule:

• 26th & 27th November Carlingford Old Barn Market from 12.00 noon
• 1st December Slieve Donard Newcastle in aid of Cancer Research 12 - 8 pm
• 3rd December Downpatrick Race Course in aid of Mainstay DRP from 10 am 
• 4th December Carlingford Old Barn Market from 12.00 noon
• 10th & 11th December Rowallane National Trust Gardens Yuletide Market 12 - 5pm

These dates we will not be at the Workshop, but if you want to visit, please get in touch! 

Felting Weekend

Had our November Felt workshop on Saturday - some old hands and newcomers - not that you'd be able to tell them apart by the quality of the work!

The Red Baron at large!

Looks vaguely Wagnerian - in a psychedelic way!

can you tell what it is yet?

spec-tacular!

Wow! Mushrooms

dreamy wall panels - ethereal and vibrant at the same time

appletree by moonlight- more than a touch of Gauguin here

from another angle

Happy Felters!

Much banter, fun and creativity went on..... thanks for a great day!