Tag Archives: Clotworthy House

A long catch-up updated.

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We have talked about it for six months.

Yesterday was the day and we had six years to catch up on.

First time round we were part of a larger group so the chat was general. Six whole years yet it felt like it was only one single day since we met. Just the two of us with no interruptions so the conversation flowed. Easily.

I was meeting fellow blogger Nelly, from Nelly’s Garden.  She suggested we meet at Clotworthy House where we had coffee before wandering the grounds of Antrim Castle Gardens.

I love this place and have visited and blogged about it on several occasions.

We walked and talked we sat to enjoy the scenery and talked until we talked ourselves dry so we needed another coffee before we parted and went our separate ways. I hope it will not take another six years before we meet again.

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Some of the photos were from a visit a few days earlier.

Monday & Tuesday

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Yesterday, I had a short walk before heading off to keep a hospital appointment.

Mahonia

Mahonia

Yellow Mahonia blooms beamed at me to brighten the day.

Rich green moss

Rich green moss

I was almost tempted to remove my shoes and walk barefoot in the moss.

Today, I brought a friend to Clotworthy House for coffee, we talked that much, I forgot to air my camera, so there are no photos.

I called at Lidl on my way home, where I met Ivy

Ivy with her trainer, whose name I have forgotten

Ivy with her trainer, whose name I have forgotten

Ivy is a Labrador/Setter cross, about one year old. Today she was learning to sit and stay. She behaved very well. In the next couple of months she will learn to become an assistance dog, before moving to improve the quality of life for a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder, 

Ivy in her training coat

Ivy in her training coat

Assistance Dogs Northern Ireland (ADNI) aim to train assistance dogs to improve the quality of life for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and for people who are disabled or have uncontrolled epileptic seizures, their services are available to residents all over Northern Ireland.

May Ivy enjoy many years providing a physical and emotional anchor for a child with Autism.

Photographing the Alphabet ~ U

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U – Under

Helen & Mike under the umbrella roof of the Pavillion

Helen & Mike under the umbrella roof of the Pavillion

Under the Pavillion in the Large Parterre at Antrim Castle Gardens.

Helen & Mike Reshkin are blogging & twitter friends who were on holiday in Ireland from Chicago, in June/July this year. They found a day to spend with me, but unfortunately it was a rather well washed with rain.

We began our adventure at Lough Neagh, alas, the sky was so low we were hardly able to see beyond our noses. 🙁 I didn’t bother to get out of the car. We moved on to Clotworthy House.

Wet day visitors with the wolfhound at Clotworthy House

Wet day visitors with the wolfhound at Clotworthy House

It is amazing how the place has improved over the past four years.

Before the renovations

Before the renovations

A brighter day at the end of May 2009.

Capturing the scene

Capturing the scene

Capturing the moment in the quiet maze of pathways.

We were not alone. The Heron kept a beady on us.

We were not alone. The Heron kept a beady on us.

Helen & Mike, I enjoyed sharing one of my favourite places with you. Thanking you for making time to spend with me.