Quaint villages, beautiful scenery and perfect weather. Peaceful seaside villages that are largely unspoiled. The role of fishing and boating to the life in this community is very clear. They are mainly boats for use, not larger 'posh' showpieces.
We stopped at Groomsport for quite a while. Chatting with locals is so interesting, and as they are very friendly we decide to return later in the day to have a drink at The Groomsport Inn. Met 'Meghan and Harry' on the way in, but attention was more on the final of the FA Cup between Manchester United and Chelsea. It is likely that this is where my ancestors 'hung out', but enjoying County Down in general is just so familiar and enjoyable.
The ladies of a church at Portaferry were having a fundraiser morning tea, and of course the Aussie tourists were a curiosity! They felt the need to give some excess cakes to Bill! Then across Strongford Lough on the ferry for lunch at Castle Ward. This double frontage castle combines a classical facade, and a gothic facade opposite! We enjoyed our tour of the house after eating our lunch in the courtyard of the stables and barn area.
Newcastle was busy, but with those Misty Mountains of Mourne nearby, we pushed on. The High Mournes scenic loop was well named. Drystone walls dividing each small paddock - there were mile after mile of them. Additionally the yellow flowering gorse was used to mark paddock boundaries, so a very pretty scene. Views across the coastal areas and the acre upon acre of lush grazing grass for the Dorper Sheep and cattle certainly added to the beauty.
Yesterday we saw motorbikes everywhere. Today it was the zone for pushbikes! But also there were the tractors - often towing a trailer with farm machinery onboard for a number of miles.
Finally home for late dinner, whilst watching The Wedding on TV.
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