Walk from Carnlough to Cranny Falls

The path leading to the quarry which can be seen in the distance was very straight. It follows the route of the old rail line that used to carry the limestone from the quarry to the harbour. We passed a couple of old lime kilns on the way.















We parked in the carpark beside the Spar shop, where we sat and ate fish and chips at the end of our walk, before we set off for home.






























The fields were full of sheep and new lambs romping around.
View from the top of the path when we had reached the old limestone quarry.















View of Carnlough below us. It looked a long way away but actually it was only a couple of miles.






















The quarry was amazing. A huge version of the one on the Cavehill. The limestone cliffs are whiter here though and covered in gorse and draping ivy. We saw the rooks trying to chase off a huge predatory raptor, by the size of it, possibly a peregrine. We also saw a couple of ravens swooping near the top of the cliff.
















There were lots of ruins of old cottages, houses and quarry buildings scattered around. More intact than the quarry workers villages on the Cavehill.
















Speedwell near the path through the quarry towards Cranny Falls. One of my very favourite flowers with its beautiful dainty blue blossoms. I'd love to have some in my lawn.





































The air was full of the honey perfume from the golden blossoms of the gorse.






























We sat down and ate some lunch. Neil took a photo of me with my new red bag. I wanted one large enough to carry a notebook, glasses, camera etc. I treated myself to celebrate losing 1 stone in weight!

















The Glen was a beautiful walk quite different in feel to the limestone quarry we had just walked through to reach it. The steep banks were very damp and covered in ferns, sunspurge, wild garlic and wood sorrel.






















There were also some plants, I didn't know which just loved being in the very wet areas where the water dripped down over the rock and through the moss.






























Cranny Falls was well worth the walk. Beautiful waterfall splashing down from quite a height above us. The air felt very cool and damp.
















Neil by the water fall.



Cranny Falls.

Magnolia Walk

In our garden in April, the Magnolias reign supreme. The pink and ivory blossoms of Stellata Leonard Messell are truly beautiful outside the kitchen window.



Hasn't this white magnolia that mum gave us grown!!!

Looking at the house from the path just beside the compost bins.

The stellata is starting to go over but still looks very pretty with the large magnolia in the background.

Leonard Messell in all its glorious riot of blush pink.

Walking on the Cavehill

Shane watches me while I take another quick snapshot.



The ferns are starting to come up. I love the fuzzy croziers all curled up and beginning to unfurl.

The end of the season for the coltsfoot as the blossoms turn into little fluffy balls.

The blackthorn wood around the waterfall is carpeted with white wood anemone. They are beautiful on a sunny day when all of the blossoms open fully.

Walking near the Castle

The daffodils are starting to go over but when I walk along past them I always think of walking with mum and Cindy.


Beautiful fresh new green leaves on the trees.

Front garden in April

The new leaves on the Acer are beautiful with their fine red edging.

The perfume of this shrub has it covered in buzzing bumblebees all the time.

Mum's Back Garden in April

Garden patrol to try and protect her food from the waiting magpies.



The odd tulip glows amidst the glossy leaves of the of the lesser clementine.

Mum's stellata almost in full bloom.

Perfume wafts around the back garden. Beautiful rosie buds open.

Hidden corners in the garden, still amidst the sea of lesser celandine.

The beautiful new shoots of astilbe coming through.

Bluebells and Violets

The violets look beautiful under the trees as we walk along towards the castle.

The first bluebells are out. They are in the sunshine so have come out while most are still in bud. Beautiful colours.

Shane

Shane waiting patiently for me to finish taking photographs on our morning walk.


Then he happily stopped to paddle in the river by the waterfall.