It's only a couple of hours for us to drive to the next lot of accommodation in Belfast, but we filled the day with sightseeing on the way.
Foul morning weather-wise this morning, had the big wind/rain jackets on and multiple layers. So the first planned visits had to be abandoned as they were 'ruins' to be walked through.
First stop the small town of Carlingford, on the lough where the tide was out. Has a ruined tower (King John's Tower)
Then on to the major shopping place of Newry. Apparently everyone pops over the border from Ireland to get bargains, so several large Westfield-ish shopping centres. No time to go there so put that on the list for another time. Had a quick look around town and THE SUN CAME OUT miracle of miracles.
Next on to the town of Banbridge to visit Fergusons Linen Factory and shop. Unfortunately missed the tour for the day, but the shop is a reasonable size and I bought a couple of things for home. Good to see their mascots supporting the sign.
Finally the town of Hillsborough. The castle here is where the Queen stays when in Northern Ireland and is supposed to be a nice one to visit, however we were too late in the day. The town is noticeably 'spruced', and the calibre of cars is far better than elsewhere we travelled. No doubt as a result of the sometime resident.
They had lovely tall towers of begonias, the best I've ever seen.
There's a lovely lake too, with lots of swans looking nice. Until they dove to feed and all you could see were swan bums!
From there just over 1/2 hour to Belfast, a quick grocery shop and then meeting up with our host. Our apartment in Belfast is great, right across the river from the city and a 15 minute walk from the Public Records Office where I'm doing the family history research tomorrow.
Foul morning weather-wise this morning, had the big wind/rain jackets on and multiple layers. So the first planned visits had to be abandoned as they were 'ruins' to be walked through.
First stop the small town of Carlingford, on the lough where the tide was out. Has a ruined tower (King John's Tower)
Then on to the major shopping place of Newry. Apparently everyone pops over the border from Ireland to get bargains, so several large Westfield-ish shopping centres. No time to go there so put that on the list for another time. Had a quick look around town and THE SUN CAME OUT miracle of miracles.
The poor old red phone booths are mostly decommissioned these days, though used for other things - we have seen them fitted out with defibrillators, and this one seemed to be some sort of garden ornament with curly top and baskets on the side.
Next on to the town of Banbridge to visit Fergusons Linen Factory and shop. Unfortunately missed the tour for the day, but the shop is a reasonable size and I bought a couple of things for home. Good to see their mascots supporting the sign.
Finally the town of Hillsborough. The castle here is where the Queen stays when in Northern Ireland and is supposed to be a nice one to visit, however we were too late in the day. The town is noticeably 'spruced', and the calibre of cars is far better than elsewhere we travelled. No doubt as a result of the sometime resident.
They had lovely tall towers of begonias, the best I've ever seen.
From there just over 1/2 hour to Belfast, a quick grocery shop and then meeting up with our host. Our apartment in Belfast is great, right across the river from the city and a 15 minute walk from the Public Records Office where I'm doing the family history research tomorrow.
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