"Yep, it's not supposed to be too bad today, let's do that road trip". Fail.
It didn't get any warmer on the whole trip. Raining, and so windy I couldn't even keep the umbrella upright. Still people out on boogie boards though.
Lovely ornate ceilings, rooms, etc, and left with real contents just as the owners used them when the last one passed away.
Loved the ship chandelier. Hung originally so you it looked like it was floating on the lough which was visible 100 years ago (before the trees grew).
The books on the left behind wire are real, the ones on the right are painted. To the right of these is an open door which was also painted with fake books, so when closed it was a 'secret' doorway.
The guide at the front entrance said "you HAVE to walk the 15 minutes up to the outlook, it has fantastic views over the property, it's really worth it". Well you WOULD say that if you were inside in the nice warm and dry entrance hall. We decided to pass on that, though Malcolm and I did a quick lap around the gardens, in the rain. They would have been amazing on a sunny day, unfortunately the wind and rain had 'flattened' several plants and ruined the effect.
Now we were cold and a little damp, so took up our host's suggestion to visit their coffee shop near the university. Some cheerful bright yellow to welcome us in and, even better, fabulous elderflower cake and chocolate torte. And a pretty darned good mocha as well.
Then a walk around the university area, it was graduation day so a bit chaotic. Lovely building though.
One more day in Belfast, there's a lot more to do. Could really have added another one or two days and still not seen everything. Another one for the 'next trip' list most likely.
It didn't get any warmer on the whole trip. Raining, and so windy I couldn't even keep the umbrella upright. Still people out on boogie boards though.
Went via a couple of little towns but too wet for photos, or to walk around the planned ruins/towers/castles. We did go to one planned venue which was the 19th century National Trust (yay, free again) property of Mount Stewart. A fabulous house and formal gardens. This was the best NT property we have visited in terms of the knowledge of the guides - one in each room who could tell you all sorts of interesting information about the owners.
When you have a mansion, of course you have your own potpourri ROOM. It smelt fabulous.
Lovely ornate ceilings, rooms, etc, and left with real contents just as the owners used them when the last one passed away.
Loved the ship chandelier. Hung originally so you it looked like it was floating on the lough which was visible 100 years ago (before the trees grew).
The books on the left behind wire are real, the ones on the right are painted. To the right of these is an open door which was also painted with fake books, so when closed it was a 'secret' doorway.
Now we were cold and a little damp, so took up our host's suggestion to visit their coffee shop near the university. Some cheerful bright yellow to welcome us in and, even better, fabulous elderflower cake and chocolate torte. And a pretty darned good mocha as well.
Then a walk around the university area, it was graduation day so a bit chaotic. Lovely building though.
One more day in Belfast, there's a lot more to do. Could really have added another one or two days and still not seen everything. Another one for the 'next trip' list most likely.
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