I know the weather isn't great! Don't let it put you off a great day out. Instead of sitting in the cottages at the lovely log burning stove go 5 minutes in the car to the Folk and Transport.

The award winning Ulster Folk and Transport Museum recaptures a disappearing way of life, preserves traditional skills and celebrates transport history.

There you will find lots to see. On one side of the road there is the Folk Museum with lots of streets of houses, banks, businesses, a pub, school houses that will take you a step back in time. Stroll through them and on a good day keep going through the yesteryear's countryside with its farms,cottages, crops and livestock.

Some days if you time it right there are demonstrations on, eg bread making and cooking basket weaving, carpentry,needlework and more.

I love looking at the way people lived years ago. The size of the houses, the interior, the size of the bedrooms, the furniture and decorations, the utensils ( trying to guess what they were for) it makes you think how lucky we are today ( TV, DVD/CD's/ phones/radiators/instant hot water)
Explore the rectory, silent cinema and the Edwardian tearoom. There is a lovely church which at Christmas time has a carol service. However you need to book tickets as it is such a popular event. For a full programme of events and exhibitions please telephone 02890428428

Cross the road and visit the Transport Museum which presents Irelands most comprehensive transport collection. It includes bicycles through the decades, motor bikes, cars, the Irish Railway collection, a Flight experience and a Titanic exhibition

Enjoy the wonderful continental food and delightful aromas. This has become one of Belfast real treats.The market is on from the 17th Nov- the 19th Dec in the grounds of the City Hall. There are crafts, food and treats from around Europe.The City Hall itself is now open to the public after a massive £11million refurbishment project. Free public tours of this Edwardian masterpiece are available from Monday to Friday 11am,2pm & 3pm. Saturdays at 2pm & 3pm.

Plants of all spaces and sizes enjoying the heat of the Glass House. It was a great place to go to see big ferns, usual cacti and a colourful codiaeum, rows of cyclamen and lots more.

The sun was out and it was lovely. I took loads of photos of all the plants in the glass house.

A day out, we went up to Queens University to see an exhibition in the Naughton Gallery. Then we walked on to Botanic Gardens as it was so close.So while we where there we went into the Ulster Museum to have a look around and got a sandwich while we were there.

A great day out. Christmas means we have good reason to visit craft fairs, buy unique gifts and have a great day out shopping. With Belfast, Holywood, Crawsfordsburn, Bangor and Newtownards all within 10 minutes there is plenty on offer.

Halloween in Northern Ireland, wherever you go you'll find a ghoulishly good time waiting for you. Seapark in Holywood (24th Oct) had an exciting line-up of activites. For years we were not allowed to have firework shows now we are making up for lost time.

30th & 31st Oct as part of Hillsborough's Taste of Autumn spectacular fireworks,live music,fire-eaters,great food,children's fancy dress and more.