Fabulous Culloden Estate and Spa

a.k.a. A night away in utter luxury which saved our sanity!

So I told you Andrew had organised a little break for us last Friday night to a super posh hotel, well I didn't lie... We went to the utterly gobsmackingly gorgeous 5* Culloden Estate and Spa for drinks, dinner, one of the most wonderful sleeps ever and breakfast. Some people would term this B&B but this was so much more!

When we arrived we were greeted by a gentleman in a top hat that wanted so much to take my bag but as I refused (I felt funny about being treated so posh-like) he opened the door for us and bid us welcome. This welcome was extended and dare I say, improved upon by the receptionist who not only went and said those magical words...'ah I see you have been upgraded to the Troon suite, I hope that is to your liking' = internal giggles of utter pleasure but a calm response of 'oh, how delightful!'

Our room, sorry, suite was amazing and even had its very own turret, remote controlled gas fireplace, dining table, 2 sofas and the ultimate in comfy beds and macaroons!

We had cocktails - free! called 'Christmas Crackers' - I did flag this name up with the lovely barman and we decided that it needed changed right away. I think 'The Cheeky Bishop' would be good as the bar is in what was once a church ;) Yes Culloden House was at one time the home of the Bishop of the Church of Ireland and seriously, there is a church building within it, the stained glass of which is amazing! We lounged about there chatting, drinking coffees and then went up to our room to relax before dinner.

I put a dress on for dinner and we went down to find that we were listed as VIPs and were to have a free after dinner whisky each = happy days! Dinner was incredible (all locally sourced foodstuffs which goes down super well with us, the hotel group seems very passionate about that and has booklets explaining where everything comes from) with views over the Belfast Lough (which was all a-twinkle) and delicious wine. As I am so short I was perched at the edge of my chair so my feet touched the ground and would you believe it...a kind waiter brought over a cushion for my back - I could so get used to being a VIP :) 

It was a lingering affair and the staff were lovely, so attentive and friendly; but eventually we rolled ourselves to the elevator and went back to our room and the huge flat TV screen and fire. Cue complementary toweling robes and slippers, a bed turn down and a movie :)

We slept so good (on a 'cloud bed') and breakfast had so much to offer, oh yummy! I didn't have room for the porridge but I so wish I had of as you had the option to put Bushmills Honey flavoured whiskey in it :) 

Sadly there aren't many pictures of the grounds or any of the herb garden (regularly used by the chefs) as it was bloomin cold and raining and we didn't give ourselves enough time to visit the gym or spa....but there is always next time :) 

* Here's our turret again though - inside and out. Awesome! :)

********

All views are my own and I have not been given any incentive to write this bar from sharing the fabulous time I had.

Culloden Estate and Spa

Hugs and love

France's never ending growing season

Something that Lawerence, the owner of our Gite in the North of Brittany, told us somewhat surprised me. He said that they don't really have a winter where they are and he cuts the grass every 2 weeks all year round! Many years there are just a few weeks were the frost comes and then it's the eternal growing season again. So that made sense of the fact that everywhere you look in Brittany there are artichokes and maize and cabbage etc in large fields, all at different stages of growth.

I fell in love with the artichoke flowers that were for sale in the florists and were often to be found in abundance in large vases outside resturants. (Far better this than eating them - yuck, personally I HATE them).

It's also no wonder that most private gardens have their own vegetable area and everything looks fabulous even though up here at home, they would be over by now. Even caravans on holiday resorts have there own tomato plants growing outside - it's inspirational.

Of course there was no getting away from the fact that it was September and thus it was apple season and cidre making time. All along the sides of roads were apples of all varieties and the supermarkets were no different. Such pride in the apple was lovely and every apple I ate was a delight (even the ones we stole!) Yep, Andrew went scrumping as it was just a shame to see so many apples potentially going to waste, especially when we were pretty sure they were Royal Gala.

Usually on holidays we love going into the local markets to see all the vegetable and fruit varieties and this time was no exception, though to be fair, the supermarkets are amazing as well in their variety and freshness. Here are a couple of gorgous displays from Quimper town market, that is one thing you will always see when it is a personal stall - attention to detail and everything lovingly displayed...it was also the cool place to hang out if you were a student!

Don't want to bore you so I shall write another French piece later in the week, hugs for now xx

I'm back :)

Hello! and warm affectionate hugs to you all. Did you miss me? did you? I missed you.

I arrived home from lovely France yesterday and sitting here in front of my much missed laptop I can tell you...I am cold!! It wasn't exactly roasting in Brittany but I was shivering whilst inside, that's for sure; I don't think I was supposed to be a Northern Irish girl at all, ahha.

As I am sure you can all appreicate, I am exhausted! 16 hours on a Ferry (rough crossing home - I was sliding up and down my berth which was funny but meant I was awake a good bit) and 4 and half hours driving up through Ireland home = sleepy me. And on top of that, when I'm sleepy, my double vision plays up even more so I can't really see that well today. What I am getting at is I will share my photos and stories later if you don't mind too much and just dose here on my comfy sofa this afternoon before any migraine would decide to set in!

One thing though - I now utterly despise Mosquitos, bloody HATE the beasts. I have a left forearm that is all deformed with huge bites that are so frickin' itchy I could punch something. Plus one on my leg and one on my face, on my face people!!! Arrghhhh.

Anyhow I shall be in touch soon, with photos and tales of yummy food, inspiring gardens and public spaces and scrumping for delicious red apples. Plus this evening we are going to the lottie and I have been warning that it is a mess - I ain't too proud that I won't share the shame, hahahaa.

Anyway, nice to be back xx

Excerpt from my Dublin diary...

This has nothing to do with allotments, with buying seed or even thinking about garden design. However I have always wanted Grow Our Own to be about growth, growth of every kind and particualrily personal growth, also, I just wanted to share with you a bit from my wee trip to Dublin over the past 2 days.....

Dublin Nov '10

A melting pot, a cauldron of people, ideas, passions and fun - bag loads of fun. You come to Ireland, North or South and you will never be stuck for a conversation. Go into a bar, one that seems dark, old, dirty even and you walk into another world. Forget wanting everybody knowing your name - this is a place where a stranger is a friend you just haven't met yet. Honestly. There may be differences (political, religious, ideological) but damn it, that can be overlooked over the rim of a pint glass and for the duration of your stay you're with family. Better than that, you are with mates.

Craic can be summed up in 5mins of being in a good bar. Relaxed chat over nothing, nothing important, becomes the most pressing issue. Find something, a common ground of any sort and the relaxed (and sometimes passionate, beautifully passionate) talk and camaraderie flows - like the beer.

Sit alone and you are never alone. Conversations that you can't quite catch envelope you and the occasional burst of laughter, it all equals a comfort blanket where you are safe. You are Home.

I enoyed my time in Dublin and spent a good few hours alone when I just wrote and wrote in my trusty Moleskine. The weather was foul, utterly miserable and I have sore feet today but looking back at my little scribblings and the few photos I did manage to take, I know it won't be too long before I'm back there :)

Here is a vaguely gardeny, 'grow your own veg' related photo - barley (at the Gunniness Factory; but don't worry I didn't sully the next batch of the Black Stuff, this was for tourists to touch!) - see I do think of you when I am away xxxx

Benvarden part 2 (beautiful flowers)

Oh my Benvarden was a place you could easily spend all day in, or even better - wait the the owners are on holiday and 'move in' you know, not necessarily invited but you are tidy and things are just as they left them.....Ummmm I must think further on this. If  you are a member of the police force (you do a great job!) just ignore that; I'm joking, honest *nervous laughter*.

Anyway, back to my point - it is lovely; all these older gardens that are surrounded by walls and have rose gardens, a tennis court, a lean to greenhouse, a hiding sitting area with the oldest wisteria ever and a court yard (that just to have horses in it, but no longer). Oh it was lovely and there was more to come but really, it's 5 mins past 2 at night and I am not that sleepy strangely but Spinal Tap the Rockumentary is on and I've never seen it and Andy is yawning VERY loudly and I often think his mouth won't close again...

I have prepared another small collage that doesn't really do it justice but it might make you want to go and see it for yourself  ~ I should work for the NI tourist board :) I can not fault the place, though I didn't eat in the tea room which I always do and then give critic to friends (I find that finding nice places to eat on a day out is invaluable information) as I had been feeling rather sick - yes poor me and my dicky tum.

I do so hope this gets you through the weekend and I shall be back with a little more on the place, and hopefully news from the lottie AND if you are extra good children, I will tell you about Andrew's utterly brilliant designs for our new back garden - oh I am a tease!

Hugs xxxx

Trip to MALVERN ~ #3 Hampton Court Castle

Sunday saw a beautiful blue sky greet my streaming sneezy eyes. The cold had most diffinatley turned into a Flu on the Saturday and I was a mess today, sad now that the weather had finally decided to co-operate. Breakfast with Ella and the other guests was a subdued affair, I couldn't eat much of the lovely organic food due to my sore thoart and we all felt a little sad that it was home time for all of us.

Our flight wasn't until 8pm so the trip to Hampton Court Castle Gardens I had been hoping for was fulfilled and indeed turned out better than I wished. The difference a visit to a garden in the sunshine to one's spirits is amazing. Yes I was still coughing and sneezing, I should have been in bed somewhere taking meds but boy, my soul was singing.

You walk into the walled gardens through an arched gate and *bang* you are hit with the most fabulous kitchen garden complete with ingenious plant supports and ohh, more tulips! A kitchen garden about the size of 2 allotments and oh so stylish with a small wild meadow section too. Oh just look at the photos - you'll wish you had been there too.

lavender hedges around the herbs - so much more orginial and fragant than box

Then we were into more formal gardens and check out the wonderful pavillions surrounded by moving water, moats around the 2 pavilions, rills and a thicker shallow canal. These areas also had many trees and more permanent structures for things to grow up and around.

An amazing (haha) Maze with a tower in the centre which you can climb to the top of and watch other people struggle and giggle below you trying to get where you are (evil grin). But when you walk down those stairs again there is another set of steps going down...ohh....you end up underneath the maze and come out at a sunken garden complete with waterfall! Oh my goodness - is this Heaven???!!

Well to me it was and after walking up through the ferns on the step stones up the stream we walked out into a parkland area with a superb borrowed landscape of tree covered hills. AND a cafe serving mainly home (castle) cooked cakes. Yippeee.

We could have visited inside the Castle as well but #1 we hadn't the change and #2 we wanted to go all around the gardens again :) And there were more to be found, including the Dutch Garden - MORE tulips and a long pond with carp in it.

Check out the website. I took 94 photos and could merrily share them all but your computer would explode I fear. xx

Anyway, that's the end of the Malvern trip though we did visit some other towns etc but really I want to get back my lottie blogging. For instance, we had an asparagus spear each with our dinner last night - HOORAH!

Trip to MALVERN ~ #2 Ella's farm

Welcome to my 444th post! Yipppeee, I reckon that is some sort of mile stone and even though I sit here in bed with the flu I am going to celebrate (just not sure how..) And our new house has a roof!!

*******

Anyway, I have to tell you about the absolutely fantastic B&B Andrew and I stayed at whilst over for the show. Really it has become a major highlight of the trip and I shall remember the Old Country House and Ella with much fondness. It is a magical place where I felt completely at ease and though ill at the time and wanting my own bed, I did find it hard to leave. The website shows it off beautifully but of course I had to take a few pictures of my own.

 The kitchen garden

Ella's parents bought this amazing 220 acre farm and farmhouse in the 30's. It was very run down and sounds utterly romantic (that feeling for romance still lingers round every corner). Ella grew up there and helped to make the sparkling perry her father became so well known for in the county, there were also pigs and her mother was a talented plantswoman - hybridising hellebores amongst other things!

The orchards aren't really viable anymore - as with all small farms it costs a bomb to produce anything now that would be worth the effort. It is so sad. However the trees are still there looking beautiful at this time of year in blossom, the land has sheep on it from another farm, Ella has a very rare bronze age herd of sheep herself and wildlife is everywhere! Andrew and I saw our first Woodpecker, just doing it's thing in the garden all day. There are bats, squirrels, owls and foxes (which of course have a taste for the lovely free range chickens, sadly) and all sorts of rare plants and trees from a life time of adventure overseas. There are many tumble down outhouses, a pond the size of a small lake and to top it all off -  oast houses!

Inside the house is no less electic and jam packed of interest. Books are everywhere, pottery, mis matching old pieces of beautiful wooden furniture, a huge fireplace, wooden planks and trusses (some 100s of years old)  lots of cosy cushions and throws, paintings and arty bits of this and that. You can be quite happy on a terrible grey and cold day just looking around the kitchen!

Anyway, I just loved it so much and Ella was such an interesting and friendly person that I had to share the secret of our happiness in England with you.

Trip to MALVERN ~ #1 The Show itself

Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed myself but it would seem it's just me, I didn't get it, I didn't think the show was terribly wonderful and full of inspiration. I'm telling it here as it was for me, as with everything you are free and indeed encouraged to find out for yourself.....

Pros -
** The parking was free and super easy, really the whole event was organised to a T and really couldn't be faulted at all. Although there were a heck of a lot of people there, it never felt too crowded and that's saying something coming from me (one who hates crowds).

One of the greenhouses Andrew needs in his life.

** The main show tent was fabulous. We were there on Friday, arriving at 11.30 and leaving at 5.30. We watched a good few shows and bits of others. The lady compère was fun and could talk for Britain - she was lovely. The Three Men Went to Mow painting skit for charity was brilliant! I kept realising I was grinning inanely AND the best man won (James, with is masterpiece of fingerpainting - bold, colourful and innovative; I voted twice for his piece). I also witnessed Cleve holding a chicken that much to everyone's surprise laid an egg straight into his hand. The 3 of them (James Alexander-Sinclair, Cleve West and Joe Swift) really are utterly lovely and instantly likeable.

** The Recovery and Wellbeing Garden  (by the Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Trust) won a Gold Medal and was People's Choice on Friday. Here's some pics; there's chickens in the black shed and the tiles were handmade by the clients of the programme but nowhere did it mention how incredibly beneficial to mental health such an activity as their allotment programme is - it was just infered by the title, which most people hadn't bothered to read, they just knew it as the 'tile one'....

 ECOTHERAPY ROCKS!  I was so desperate for Ecotherapy to be shown off at the show (a lot of exhibitors and sellers had no idea what it is!! = I must work harder!)

** Oh, the craft and food halls - yummmy. It was very lucky that we didn't bring much money with us and that the ATM machines were empty. Plus there was the issue of us flying home and all those silly restrictions; so many things were too fragile, too big, too expensive or indeed smelly  (cheeses and meat products etc) to put in our suitcase. But the talent of those in the 3 counties is amazing and boy can they make great sloe gin and damson gin (I was given lots to try - for medicinal reasons of course).

** Everyone was super duper friendly, even before the tipsy fruit drinks.

** Exquisite flowers and plants were everywhere in the main floral tent. Oh you couldn't move without falling in love with something else. Of course the tulips and acers were stunning the socks off me. We really couldn't bring any plants home so looking at seeds was the next best option. What we desparately wanted had sold out but we got contact details :) Plus I now have a love for alpines.

** Food prices were a little steep but was of excellent quality and that kind of makes up for it. Everything organic and locally made, so even that big chocolate brownie Andrew and I shared must have been healthy - right??

** The Meet@Malvern bloggers - were polite and friendly. I got big hugs from the lovely VP, Helen and Karen. It was funny to see fellow bloggers as it is hard to put a face to names such as Happy Mouffetard or VP for example. Though many (and I was told this myself) looked just like the photos of themselves, hahaha. Plus James was wonderful - hugs galore and we shared a biscuit moment; that man could charm a snake!

The setting - oh my goodness the Malvern hills are hypnotic, the trees and the constant play of light across them - just heaven......

Now the Cons-

** Something I will not dwell upon of course, but as with everything, where there are ups, there will also be downs. And the biggest one, the most glaringly obvious one was....a severe lack of show gardens! I know, it sounds daft but there really was a shortage and more than that I found many of the ones there to be uninspiring, terribly cluttered with too many uncomplimentary hard lanscaping materials and sorry Mr Beardshaw but, stupid and clumsy in a few cases.

** Andrew and I were pretty much the youngest people there, bar those being dragged around by their parents, crying! Plus the overall demographic didn't seem to fit us - we are not super rich, large acreage owning people with a desire to dress like the Royal family on a day out at Balmoral and to grow our seedlings or house our chickens in buildings more expensive than the average new posh car (no matter how well made and designed they were). Though on  the other side to that were the many cheap and nasty market stalls at the entrance, these were equally as depressing.

*****

Don't want to end on a sour note though. I'm glad we went, glad to see one of the 'big RHS shows' and very glad to have (albeit, briefly) met some fellow blogger friends. Special thanks to VP and Helen, James and Wiggly Wigglers.

More on our travels tomorrow, with better photos xx

Don't adjust your settings..

For a moment I must take a minor detour onto the world of public planting schemes, it's for my dear VP who is rather obsessed with the whole thing. I am cheating a little tiny bit here as these photos aren't from my neighbourhood but are instead from the beautiful city of Caen in Normandy. I took them for VP in the first place and now she is looking for September displays for the OOTS segment.

I was truly impressed by these (and an awful lot of public planting in Brittany and Normandy ~ spectactular roundabouts) in front of the City Hall. Especially with the use of kale in the planting; veggies, why not!?

I am really trying every trick in the book to stall the walk I am supposed to be going on with Maggie the wonder dog. Every time I hear someone outside make a noise or I think about the walk ahead I literally feel like being sick. I'm scared, so panicky I am shaking and all huddled up on the sofa with the blinds still closed. I HATE being out at home alone. I HATE having this intense anxiety too. I HATE me.

So then, Brittany and Normandy...

I want to go back! I can't get back into this world again properly ~ writing isn't coming naturally and I only just realised I hadn't been on Blogger to tell you about my holidays yet. Usually I am straight on to the old laptop and letting those fingers dance across the keyboard. It's actually quite laboured today. It's maybe because I'm waiting for my dinner at the moment, haha!

The most obvious thing a tourist will notice upon arrival to France via Roscoff is the ease of which you are soon on your way and driving on the wrong side of the road without a second thought. The second thing is the multitude of fields full of artichokes or corn and trees galore. Really as far as the eye can see, it's agriculture on a fabulous scale.

this was a harvest display in a tiny cafe!

This becomes even greater when you dander into your 'local' village or even huge supermarket. Pride, that's what is it; as a people, the Bretons seem to have pride in their food. Everything is fresh and from close by and in season and when it's cooked (if it needs cooked) it doesn't even need extra flavouring. Dinner for me on the first night was good old steak and green beans ~ WOW, plus the salads are so sweet and fresh too. Don't get me started on crepes and gallettes - to die for!



This was Andrew's, it had banana in it so healthy, ha!

The only problem I have with France is the wine, it's so reasonably priced and tasty and you really do need some everyday. I fear if I had staid any longer I would have developed a habit! Even the cider is drinkable and from me that is a huge complement. Plus, as people there seem to drink a lot less milk than us Brits, they have a tendency to use UHT milk. I can taste the difference and HATE the stuff, so all my coffee was black and strong and oh, the caffeine highs and lows!

Normandy on the other hand seems to have more of a love affair with cream. Everything was creamy and cheesy and I am very sorry indeed, but often a bit much for me. Luckily we were staying in Gites (self-catering accommodation) and could cook for ourselves.

We staid in the middle of nowhere and dandering around little lanes and past many farms and very small villages we were happy to see a multitude of private veggie gardens. Even on the outskirts of major towns and cities there were Allotments! Joy. This garden and these lotties were in Dinan, I was on the famous and fab town walls when I 'eek-ed' out loud at the sight of them down below.

We travelled around a good bit and had the best time. Andrew was so relaxed and we just had the sound of cows, chickens and crickets at night with the occasional the 'thud' of an apple falling from a tree bough - HEAVEN.

I whole heartedly urge you to give the North of France a visit. Plus VP, the municipal planting is awe inspiring, really.

Like a Bull in a china shop

So, home again and the first visit to the lottie tonight. Andrew proved his undying love by going last night as soon as we got home (I fear I don't love it as much as sleep...)! It really is a sight to behold and not in a good way; I think the whole weekend is going to be one massive clear out, weeds to kick off with, then all the millions of plants that have had it and the grass, my god, the grass. Northern Ireland had terrible weather whilst we were away with rain and terrible wind but it didn't stop the blasted weeds and grass from going mental.

I didn't even take a photo tonight because, well it looked AWFUL. But after the work starts tomorrow I am sure I'll feel better. I love ripping stuff out and thinking ahead to the new season - bulbs to be bought for a start. Yipppeee!

So instead, tonight I am working on my holiday photos and drinking even more wine ~ I think the French way of life has left its mark. Unfortunatley I am also wearing a big fleecy sweatshirt and have my blanket - the weather didn't come home with us.

Big thanks for the comments whilst I was away, lovely to know people care. I'll get some photos up from France soon and tell a tale or two. But for now Gardener's World is on and I suppose I really ought to be learning something........Promise I'll catch up on everyone elses blogs, just give me a minute or 100! x

Oscar

I am sailing home on the Irish Ferry 'Oscar Wilde', smooth so far. Thank goodness we have a cabin and can sleep part of the 18 hours! Sort of glad to be going home but loved France so much. Speak soon. I have a lot of catching up to do xxxx

bonjour from brittany!

Having a wonderful time in Brittany - such fab food and wine; Looking forward to sharing lots of photos and stories. My laptop doesn't have internet here so difficult to keep in touch. French keyboards so annoying! Plus internet cafes expensive. Big hugs xxx

Only 1 more sleep...

Ah dear reader, I am off to France in the morning!! I am so looking forward to it; Brittany and Normandy. It's going to be so cool, me and the Hubby. Maggie isn't coming, she's going to stay with her Granny and I have a feeling she's also looking forward to her holidays (she gets more treats at her Granny's house than she does here ~ spoilt rotten, she is).

Anyhow, I think I will take my laptop but I can't decide. But hopefully I'll have access to a web service at some point and then I can tell you what's happening. Maybe even make you jealous with tales of fabulous weather and amazing wine.

We went to the Allotments last night and did 2 and half hours hard graft. I weeded everywhere I could, pulled out the yellow Californian Poppies 'golden values' which were looking worse for wear and had somewhat taken over, and dead headed until I Andrew had to force me to go home~ it was getting dark. I have no idea what he did, though he was working hard I am sure, I know he planted something but I was in my zone, I was feeling much better. Ecotherapy Rocks!

Here is a rather odd little collection of things that we took home. Goodness it really was dark, we didn't get to do any real harvesting, these are just things we picked up whilst working away. It's a little annoying that our sweetcorn and raspberries will be ripening to perfection when we're gone and god help anyone who pilfers one, I have them counted!!

Oh I am excited; holidays! And this time we have our own car so we can go exploring. I shall miss you desperately and will try to say "Bonjour" whilst away at least once. Wish me 'Bon Voyage!' xx

Ciao!

My dearest, darling, lovely friends. I have returned from my travels in Italy. I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for reading the old blog whilst I was gone and for the comments (which Andrew delighted me with by looking up my blog on the Internet on his mobile whilst on holiday). Didn't have the greatest time, NOT relaxing to visit Rome and Milan in a few days and try to see lots. Home to another one of my 'blips', so can barely string 2 words together and just need deep, deep sleep and cuddles (though the hubby is back at work so have to hug myself ~ not so comforting...)

I shall update you soon; show some holiday snaps, show you the growth in 24a while we were away and the new work on 14b that Andrew has already achieved. Plus answer any comments you lovingly left for me.

Big double cheek kisses and Ciao for now xx

A Home from Home

A while back I mentioned that Andrew, Maggie and I were going off to Fermanagh for a week after Christmas. Well, I didn't get round to talking about it and it was great so ~ a quick blurb.

We stayed in a beautifully converted Stables behind a gorgeous Old Rectory House, near to Lisnaskea.

http://www.fermanaghselfcatering.co.uk/

It backed on to a sweet little Church and had, virtually as an extension to the front garden, Killyfole Lough. This is the prefect place for a walk with the dog; so much effort has been applied in the making of a path around the circumference, wonderful boardwalks over the clear water, fishing jetties, a bird hide, plenty of benches, an artificial beach (which was frozen!) and a large family of ducks, oh and 2 serene Swans. I love it there.

On top off that the back gardens of the Rectory have a well established looking allotment!! Accessed (for us, staying in the Stables) through an old lean to greenhouse, complete with a massive grape vine. There are loads of soft fruits (including a golden raspberry and loganberries, which I have yet to taste), a large pond, an ancient looking apple tree, cleared out Brussel Sprout plants (Christmas Dinners?), cabbages and an old bath with leeks and young Asparagus in it. They grow a heck of a lot more but it was also winter remember.

(these pics do it NO justice)

Plus we were surrounded by fields which, let's face it are specialist crop Allotments on a grand scale. We were guilty of getting carried away and dreaming of renovating an abandoned farmhouse and setting up a small-holding, but we soon wised up, haha! I'm a town girl (can't be too far away from Belfast) but for a while having nothing but beautiful walks, a wood fire and little to do was wonderful (we also had the best bed ever, more than 1 bathroom and a dishwasher!). I took around 200 photos, eek!

I don't usually advertise but this was heavenly; the family that run it are so welcoming, friendly and have the sweetest children and they're Allotmenteers ~ fab!! (There are a lot more photos on my Flickr Account by the way).

P.S. Thanks for the homemade Apple Pie Caroline)