October

I love Autumn and this year the weather has been really good and I have been able to get out and about and enjoy the changing colours of the season.  I don't think I can remember an October when the weather has been so mild!

There is so much more pleasure going to the North Coast at this time of the year.  No sitting in queues and trouble finding a parking space.  It's a real bonus to sit outside having a coffee, taking in the sea view.

Loughgall Country Park is about a twenty minute drive from Manorview.  Set in the middle of orchard country there are lots of walks, fishing and golf.  A great way to spend a morning.

One of the lovely Autumn sunrises, showing off the changing colours of the leaves.

The Ulster American Folk Park is about half an hour from the B&B.  I absolutely love going to it.  It tells the story of the Mellon family who emigrated from outside Omagh to America, following their journey from here, on to the ship and creating a new life in America.

The beauty of Autumn.

The end of October, of course, brings Halloween.  For as long as I can remember we had Scotch Dumpling for tea on Halloween night.  My Grandmother used to make one for each of her sons and we usually had it fried with bacon.  I have carried on the tradition using Nana's recipe and it always brings back lovely memories of Halloween spent with her.