Birds at Castle Espie.

No, not the real birds. There's plenty of those flying about at Castle Espie but I was there to see an exhibition, 'FLYING SOLO' by Emma Hall.

I was interested in the little blue tit I'd seen on the card advertising Emma's exhibition as I had also made a blue tit recently.

Emma's was a lovely little needle-felted blue tit and so realistic, I was very impressed with the feet and claws on all her birds.

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There was a brilliant display of stitched toadstools on the mantelpiece. 

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This owl had a coat made with scraps of fabric and stitching and a lacy tummy!

Aren't they gorgeous? The nicest thing was a hedgehog curled up in some hay - and this owl was so cute with that fluffy tummy.

There were other needle-felted birds and animals, some paintings and embroidery.

It was a really lovely exhibition, I came away inspired to do better!

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From Castle Espie we headed off round Strangford to Downpatrick.

We stopped off at the Down County Museum and Historic Gaol.

This exhibition is on and there was a lot of jewellery on display, I would have needed ages to look at it all properly!

Too much stuff and I get confused but it is great for anyone with an interest in jewellery.

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On to Newcastle and a walk along the promenade.

If you look through the gap in this spire you see the top of Slieve Donard.

Turn around and you're looking towards the Slieve Donard Hotel.

Turn again and it's out to sea. 

                                               Then across the road and fish and chips for tea!