This weekend in Bangor, the sun was shining and everyone was out taking in the fresh air. There were lots of people out enjoying Bangor sea front , but as you can see from my photos not too many that couldn't enjoy the scenery to yourself. Lots of fun and food for children. A lovely place to go for a walk right round on the seafront.

What's happening?

We have had a buzy time and my laptop crashed so I have been unable to do our blog. We have had "William" and his family in from America to celebrate the 12th with us at Whitethorn Cottages. I think the highlight was the cows passing. I don't think the cows knew what was happening, it was their turn to be in the frame. It was the American flag flying at the cottages. The weather wasn't great but the Americans never let that slow them down in any way, they seemed to pack so much into their time with us. Not just the 12th celebrations up in Belfast, but Portaferry Gala Week, Giants Causeway and Bushmills were some of the outings on the agenda.


Once again the cows took to the limelight when our visitors arrived from Phoenix, Arizona. Sadly the nettles became a topic of conversation as this is something some Americans don't seem to know about. Be warned they sting!! If you ever visit us and you don't know what this plant is let us show you before you get stung!!!


"Cook Out" All these Amercians kept having cook outs, our equivalent to a barbeque. It is lovely to see everyone enjoying the facilities and we loved hearing the children out playing in our garden. Recently we bought "Swing Ball" an ideal game to keep everyone entertained.


From "Swing Ball" to Golf Balls. The Royal Belfast Golf Club, which was founded in Nov 1881 when it marked the birth of the game of golf in Ireland , last week hosted the Girls British Open Championsips. 114 of the best girl golfers from around the world came to compete and show us their talent.
We had the pleasure of having Kelly Tidy and her family stay at Whitethorn Cottages. Kelly is the present Ladies British Open Amateur Champion and was here to try and become only the third player in history to win both the Ladies' and the Girls'.
We had hoped that with a good comfortable bed, peaceful surroundings and luxury of the jacuzzi after a days 36 holes that we could help Kelly towards her double. However it wasn't to be, you can't win them all, so you will all have to come back and try again.
With 14 golf courses within a ten mile radius there are lots of differnt courses to play. Once sadly Kelly was knocked out of the competition she was able to go around some of the other courses, every cloud has a silver lining. Her favourite seemed to be Clandeboye Golf Course. So hopefully that round of golf, where Kelly beat the pro , will put Tidy on course to do well at Tenby.

Life can be tough in the country!

When we were at Chelsea Flower show we brought home a little bird for the garden. When we put him out in the garden at Whitethorn House he found life can be tough. As fast as he found somewhere nice to perch, sadly someone came and knocked him over. It seems there is a definite pecking order in the bird world. I think he would have had a better chance if we had brought home two birds. It seems other birds just come and knock him off his perch.
We have noticed even amongest the hens in our garden there always seems to be a dominment one that keeps charge of the pecking order.

We fear we are going to have to bring in our bird from Chelsea as it seems it hasn't got a chance.
We have tried lots of different parts of the garden, but repeatedly we have to rescue the small bird off the ground.
We have guests from Boston at present and sadly the weather isn't that good but it doesn't seem to annoy them. There favourite entertainment is when the neighbouring farmer brings his cows past the cottages. As well as this they have had fun visiting the Portaferry Gala events and also seeing round Bushmills and the Giants Causeway.
While the weather has been wet it is warm and the plants in the garden have been growing like mad and the weeds too.

The weekend's fun

The sun was out so the barbeque got put to good use. Our New York guests were excellent chefs and the food was in plentiful supply. The energetic tried their hand at swing ball and once it got too cool everyone went inside for another game this time Jenga. A lovely evening was had by all.

Tears of joy and tears of sadness Part 2

I have so many photos of our visit to Chelsea. We had the most fabulous day and would recommend it to anyone slightly interested in their garden. However as so often in life when you have a really exciting, uplifting experience sadly there is a downer. On our way home to the airport not only did our train break down but very sadly some unfortunate person had been killed by a train. Our hearts went out to the emergency people having to deal with the matter and to the family of the poor person who would no doubt be left questioning why. So my thought for today is to take time to enjoy ourselves as we never know when we don't have tomorrow. So have a weekend away and get your batteries recharged, come and stay at Whitethorn Cottages.
PS The last photo is inspired by Rhubarb and custard. Thanks to May Fox for all the lovely recipes she sent me using rhubarb. It was very kind of her to take the time and trouble to send them to me. Thanks

Chelsea Flower Show was the best thing I have ever been to, I just loved it and want to share some of the many photos with you. The man with the pin striped suit from my Tears of Joy part 1 found me inside the show. Well you couldn't miss me I had my flat shoes on, they are bright red, and because it was to be cooler I had my red tights on. He came up to me and asked me how I was enjoying it. He wasn't so scary and I had stop crying. I told him it was just "Brilliant". So I couldn't stop, things to see, places to go, I was running out of time. Ideas for the cottages everywhere. As you how visit us know I love having a go at flower arranging for you. One day when I get more time I have plans for our garden at Whitethorn House and at the Cottages.
I was seeing famous faces and recognising people but not always able to place them. Saw the lady that I just loved of Ruth Watson's " Rescuing Country Homes" but I didn't work that out till I was nearly home.
Then a lady came up to me as if she knew me!! She asked me how we were enjoying the show, it was the family that their poor granny was not with them. Thank you Granny!! We sat and chatted. I still don't know your names but I can't thank you enough for the chance of a life time. I really do hope that you will come over and stay with us. However don't expect too much of my garden, you can come and help me with it.

Thanks to the Girls of Comber Flower Club

Here is some photos of Barbara and Hilda's Silver Award Winning Arrangement.
I took so many photographs of everything I was seeing the battery on my camera got exhausted and ran out. I probably took about 400. The girls photos are number 330 something. So if you want to see more just ask.
I haven't finished there I have more to tell you and more people to thank. So I am away to put on more photos to inspire you. I have more to influence you to have a go before you run out of time.
I cannot wait to hear more from Barbara, Hilda and Anne about their experiences.
It must have been the experience of a life time!!