As I was off yesterday and so was my sister, we decided to go for a nice drive. However, as we could only start out after one in the afternoon, we felt that picking up the Mourne coastal route where we had left it last time (during my stay here in February) would take too long. Instead we decided to stay closer to home and visit Armagh, a lovely cathedral city at less than half an hour's drive.
The drive itself is quite uneventful, but since we had changed our aim from driving to visiting, that didn't matter overly much. When we got there, we parked at the protestant cathedral at the top of the city and walked down to the city center. Of course, it being Sunday all the shops were closed, but the park would be open and we headed that way.
From the park we had a lovely view over the cathedral. And as you may not quite be able to see in the photo: it was on the same height again as we were, because the park is on a slope as well. The bit of the park we saw wasn't that busy, mainly to do with the bike race going on further down in the park. We did get some lovely views though. One of them being two squirrels chasing each other round the trees. No photo of course: they were too fast and too far away.
I did however get a lovely photo of the path we were walking on. It is one of my favourites of the day, beating the one of the cathedral! I did take another one as well, which is a bit gloomier, but I just love this one.
After the short walk we arrived at the main bit of the park with a children's playground, a small garden area, the stable block (with facilities fortunately) and the main house. Formerly the Archbishop's residence, now City Hall, from what we could gather. We walked back to the city again and finally read up on the old Friary. This is the only part still standing and from what we could deduce, it was the church part of the Friary.
Once back in the city center, we decided to get a drink, which turned into Sunday lunch with a scrumptious dessert. Yum! It was a lovely afternoon with gorgeous weather and great company.
Hari Om
ReplyDeleteIt makes a wonderful new banner shot, that sunlit path! A perfect outing for a Sunday. YAM xx
As you can see I had to crop it a bit, otherwise it wouldn't fit nicely as a banner shot. But I love that photo: atmospheric and autumnal!
DeleteIt sound like you and your sister had a great outing. The weather looked perfect with that blue sky.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous day for a walk in the park. I really must pay a visit to Northern Ireland soon.
ReplyDeleteIt was the perfect day for it and we were not the only ones who thought so.
DeleteThat path picture calls to me to get out and do some walking. Only it is pouring rain here today with a high of only 7 C compared to 32 C yesterday. I'll just sit in my comfy chair while the chili cooks and look at your lovely photo.
ReplyDeleteNot very inviting to go walk in the pouring rain! Mind you, sitting in a comfy chair while it rains does sound perfect to me! How as the chili?
DeleteJealous here!
ReplyDeleteK
Looks like a great place to visit. Your photos are lovely. Your dessert looks delicious.
ReplyDeleteThose are some great photos! Glad you got to go to those places. I can only imagine how old that stonework is! The forest path reminds me of a place we used to vacation every year. Oh, and the dessert looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteThat church/friary was first built in the 1200's! That is about 800 years old.
DeleteThe dessert was scrumptious. Yum!!