Friday 21 June 2013

Photo of the Week


It's been a quite week and hopefully the weekend will follow suit.

I'm feeling super organised this Friday evening with our weekly shopping done, clothes have been washed and dried courtesy of the beautiful sunny day we have had. 

For the first time in a long time the clothes bin has been emptied completely and I have found lots of matches for the growing number of odd socks that are accumulating in the laundry basket.

I'm thinking of having some retail therapy tomorrow.

How cute is this photo of our Little Fella's footprint in the sand?

I just love it and it's my photo of the week.

Hope your weekend is great.






Wednesday 19 June 2013

Our Day Trip to Fort Dunree and Glenevin Waterfall


What a difference a week can make. 
Saturday arrived with the most atrocious weather ever. 
It was raining and quite windy, the complete opposite of the glorious weather we had last week.

Day Trip to Fort Dunree and Glenevin waterfall

Undeterred by the weather we had already planned our day out to Fort Dunree ( you can check out the official website here ) so we went with it dressed up in hats and scarves because after all you can have as much fun in the rain even with small children. 

Our Inbetweener was called away last minute to a hurling event so there was just the four of us with my sister.

Day Trip to Fort Dunree and Glenevin Waterfall


Day Trip to Fort Dunree and Glenevin Waterfall

On the way we past through Burt and stopped off at The Grianan of Aileach Stone Fort.

Day Trip to Fort Dunree and Glenevin Waterfall


Day Trip to Fort Dunree and Glenevin Waterfall

The ancient fort which dates back to circa 1000 AD is built high on a hilltop on the site of a prehistoric burial mound from the Neolithic period ( around 3000 BC) and provides breathtaking views of Lough Swilly, Lough Foyle and Inch Island. 
It also commands views of three counties Donegal, Derry and Tyrone on a clear day.

Day Trip to Fort Dunree and Glenevin Waterfall

On the drive up to it I said jokingly to Mr P that we were mad to be out on a day like this and that there wouldn't be anyone else about but how wrong was I? There was two bus loads of tourists from America and Spain as well as three other cars and a camper van from France. 

The smell of cooked bacon wafting from the camper van reminded me of a great trip we had in a camper van when our Inbetweener was a year old. 

Great memories and here we were once again creating more great memories to look back on.

It is a step back in time and a wonderful place to visit. I think it's amazing that this structure has survived the times and is still standing strong today.


The pictures taken here a tad dull given the weather but what a great excuse to go back and visit again. The wind was so strong that it caught the Little Fella's breathe a few times but he enjoyed it all the same.

Day Trip to Fort Dunree and Glenevin Waterfall


We headed on to Fort Dunree along the Inishowen 100 Coastal Drive taking in the scenery along the way through Fahan, Buncrana and Amazing Grace Country.

The famous and well loved song Amazing Grace was penned by a slave trader named John Newton. After a violent storm in the Atlantic Ocean crippled his ship he found refuge in Lough Swilly, years later he wrote the song to mark his spiritual journey which began after his narrow escape from death. This is why the drive around part of the Lough is called 'Amazing Grace Country'.


Day Trip to Fort Dunree and Glenevin Waterfall


Fort Dunree is situated on the rocky shores of Lough Swilly and is a slice of history on our doorstep.


Apart from the scenery there is a military museum with plenty of interesting war items on show. The guns are impressive and certainly one for the boys. Mr P loves this kind of thing and if you are a history lover like me you would certainly enjoy it.

Day Trip to Fort Dunree and Glenevin Waterfall


Day Trip to Fort Dunree and Glenevin Waterfall

There are lots of walks around the now abandoned and run down camp but you can get a sense of what the soldiers had to endure.

Day Trip to Fort Dunree and Glenevin Waterfall

Day Trip to Fort Dunree and Glenevin Waterfall


After we had a walk around we then had a much needed hot chocolate to warm us up again in the little coffee shop, not something you would expect to be drinking in June but with Donegal weather you just never know what to expect. 

Day Trip to Fort Dunree and Glenevin Waterfall

Day Trip to Fort Dunree and Glenevin Waterfall

Day Trip to Fort Dunree and Glenevin Waterfall

I was shocked to see that we had been there for around four hours and it felt like we had only just arrived - a sure sign that we were enjoying ourselves.

Day Trip to Fort Dunree and Glenevin Waterfall

I really enjoyed our time here and we have planned to go back on a sunny day to spend more time exploring and taking in the scenery because Fort Dunree is definitely worth more than one visit.

When we were having our hot chocolate Mr P was reading a visitors guide to the local area and saw that there was a waterfall not too far away in Clonmany.

We left Fort Dunree and headed off in search of yet another waterfall but because there was so much rain we were excited to see what it would be like after our visit last month to Assarancagh (see here) on a similar wet day.


Day Trip to Fort Dunree and Glenevin Waterfall

Day Trip to Fort Dunree and Glenevin Waterfall



Glenevin Waterfall is just outside the lovely village of Clonmany. The fresh mountain water descends from a height of 30 feet and was quite an impressive sight.


Day Trip to Fort Dunree and Glenevin Waterfall

The walkway up to it was lovely and so well maintained. A great spot for a picnic during the summer holidays.

Day Trip to Fort Dunree and Glenevin Waterfall

Funnily enough on our way back down from the waterfall the rain stopped and the sun came out. It was about six hours too late but it didn't matter at that stage of the day.

Day Trip to Fort Dunree and Glenevin Waterfall

A much deserved and very late spot of lunch was had in a great little pub called The Rusty Nail. The food here is second to none and it was child friendly with very helpful staff.

I even had a glass of wine seeing as Mr P was driving.

So once again we had a great day out being a tourist on our own 
doorstep, lots of fun and great company.


Can't wait for next month.

 Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall 



















Tuesday 18 June 2013

9 Months Today...

9 months old today.

This time last year I had a huge bump and was waddling about. I couldn't even bend down to tie my own shoes and we were wondering if you were going to be a girl or a boy.

Now you are here and a huge part of our family, it feels like you've been around for so much longer.

Always smiling and laughing, you are such a great little person and your cheeky personality is really starting to shine through.

Since last month we now have six whole teeth which are beautiful, crispy white and extremely sharp.

I am constantly impressed with you and how you are progressing. Everybody comments on how good you are when we are out and about. 

You love being chatted to and sometimes pretend to be shy and hide away when strangers speak to you.

You move with great speed and accuracy much to the dismay of our cat Roxy, who lost a handful of fur last week and got a shock when you grabbed his tail.

You are now starting to pull yourself up and are determined to stand on your own. Crawling about the floor is just the best fun.

You are happiest when you are sitting on your own and can move about by yourself. I don't think it will be long until you are walking or running rather about the kitchen. 

I can't wait.

9 Months


9 Months


9 Months


9 Months


9 Months








Monday 17 June 2013

Our Weekend...

This weekend we had our monthly day trip (I'm putting the post together for this today so many photos to choose) and then yesterday was mainly about celebrating Father's Day. 

Breakfast in bed, followed by a lie in, lazing about and then dinner at our local chinese restaurant, The Oriental. 
The food and service is always brilliant and there was no end of prawn crackers for our Little Fella who has found a new favourite food.

A really lovely finish to the weekend.

These pictures were taken at my parents house before dinner....

Fathers Day 2013


Fathers Day 2013


Fathers Day 2013

Friday 14 June 2013

Photo of the Week

I can't believe it's Friday again. 
These weeks are going way too fast and the days seem to roll into one.

The school year is drawing to a close and our Teen is almost finished her exams. 
All have gone well for her so far and she will be finished up on Tuesday with Spanish.

This weekend we'll be celebrating Fathers Day and spoiling Mr P because dads deserve some pampering as well.

My photo of the week was taken two weeks ago but I've kept it for this week.
This is my father with our Teen and Little Fella. 

It was taken at our Inbetweeners First Holy Communion ( you can see more about that here ).
They didn't know it was being taken which makes it even better.

He simply adores our three children and spoils them rotten. I suppose that's what Grandad's are for and they in turn are every bit as mad about him.

I hope you all have a great weekend and Happy Father's Day to all the Dads and Grandad's out there.

I am joining up with Team Lloyds photo of the week. 
Please check out their blog here and have a look at all the other fabulous photos of the week.

Photo of the Week

Tuesday 11 June 2013

Tuesday's Kitchen Fruit Smoothie


This past few weeks I've been making up fruit smoothies for breakfast.
Suddenly with the longer evenings and better weather I've become more conscious of my diet and my weight.

I haven't weighed myself since our Little Fella was born and I'm not too bothered about getting on the scales just yet but I know there is some weight that needs shifted.
All in good time I know.

Smoothies are great to get you going in the morning, they are so easy to make and very healthy.
Even my Teen has noticed that she isn't as hungry later in the morning since trying this smoothie out.

The recipe is so easy and it can be whizzed up in a blender in seconds and I use frozen berries so there's no need for ice cubes but you could use fresh berries and a handful of ice cubes.


Tuesday's Kitchen


Ingredients

1 Banana
Glass of Orange Juice
Handle of Frozen Mixed Berries


Put everything into your blender and process until smooth.
Serve in a tall glass, this will make 2 glasses like the one in the picture.

It's really that simple and refreshing, so happy sipping!




Monday 10 June 2013

A Perfect Weekend


This weekend was perfect.

We had sunshine, blue skies, lounging outside on blankets, sand between our toes, grass beneath our feet, blowing bubbles, a picnic, and best of all being outdoors.

On Saturday we spent some time together outside in our garden for the first time this year...

A Perfect Weekend

Lots of glorious sunshine...

A Perfect Weekend

Happy times...

A Perfect Weekend

Blowing bubbles...

A Perfect Weekend

On Sunday we got the picnic out...

A Perfect Weekend

Our Little Fella's first picnic (first of many)...

A Perfect Weekend

We revisited the beautiful Assarancagh Waterfall (check out our first visit here), which looked much tamer yesterday than last time...

A Perfect Weekend

One of our new favourite places...

A Perfect Weekend

Soaking up the sun...

A Perfect Weekend

Then onto the fabulous Maghera Beach...

A Perfect Weekend

It felt like a million miles from home...

A Perfect Weekend

We managed to get into one of the caves before the tide came in...

A Perfect Weekend

A Perfect Weekend

It's amazing how much cooler it was in here...

A Perfect Weekend

Our Little Fella wasn't too sure about being sat down inside the cave...

A Perfect Weekend

Splashing in the sea is much better fun...

A Perfect Weekend


A Perfect Weekend


A Perfect Weekend


A Perfect Weekend


A Perfect Weekend

By the end of the day we were all full of sea air, had a few more freckles and were well tired.

What a great way to spend the weekend, hope yours was as full of good times xxx


 Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall