Lovely Morning chit-chat July 2025

Hi Stella, yes there are many gardens/forest parks to see in Northern Ireland that have wonderful leaf colours in Autumn. 

My personal favourite is in my own county, County Down. It's Castlewellan Forest Park and there's a 2 to 3 mile walk through the trees around the lake. It's in the town of Castlewellan and well signposted. In the same forest park carpark is the Peace Maze that is good fun or can drive you mad! Unfortunately there are no seats as far as I remember from 2 months ago when I was last there. I didn't go in.

Not too far away is Slieve Donard Forest Park in the Mourne Mountains, situated in the town of Newcastle just about 3 miles from Castlewellan. From there, head for Downpatrick and then Strangford. On the way to Strangford you pass Castle Ward which is a National Trust house and gardens, well worth a visit. Continue then to Strangford and catch the small car ferry to Portaferry. Once in Portaferry take the road to Newtownards and just outside Newtownards is another National Trust house and gardens, Mount Stewart. Lovely place to visit. 

Over to Bangor and in the leisure centre car park is a Walled Garden that I love. On to Crawfordsburn and there's another wooded area leading down to a lovely beach. 

Well, that's County Down pretty well covered. Any more?

Tvman xx

I wonder should someone set up a points of interest, forests, Gardens, favourite places to stay in the UK or anywhere, how to get there etc and find a suitable name for it that would cover all the previous ideas. Anyone else any subject ideas? Name for the thread, keep it just one idea for a name to cover all holiday suggestions, areas of interest etc. One umbrella name and ONLY a thread in our Incurables group and a majority decision?Something like "Holiday/short breaks ideas". I'll leave it with you, I've a garden to work at!! Any other ideas for an umbrella name? Do we want a new thread for those ideas?

No fighting lol

Tvman xx

What about a few days to pick a title, say by end of Friday night?

Guide for Getaways lol

This is a great idea Tvman!

Whatever the thread is called, I'm sure we'll find it and make use of it.

I'm happy to put in info for anyone travelling through, or to Dumfries and Galloway area, especially anyone travelling to NI via Cairnryan!

xxx Kate

Well  my son came  in for the rescues,  rescue, other wise i would have thrown the lap top' and tell  him   to order me a new one.

So my purse is still full lol.

You have more patience than I have Ellie!

xxxKate

Think i was testing his patience, he works with computes all day every da.

Brilliant idea. Would love such a thread as I am a big holiday fan! 

I love to know more about Dumfries and Galloway. Travelled through it once and really surprised with its beauty .