About Me

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antrim, antrim, Ireland
Hello and welcome to my blog. If you like flowers and gardens, housey stuff, food and banter, then this is the place for you. I am a decorative artist, florist and maker of things. I sell painted furniture, plants and crafts, through a local retail shop, in my native Ireland, and wedding flowers from home. I am married to a lovely patient man and have a smashing little girl. I blog for the fun of it. Thank you for listening.

Monday 26 May 2014

Bank holiday day out.

Queen's University Belfast, designed by Charles Lanyon.
We were all off work and school today and decided to get in the car and go somewhere. My favourite place to go are the beaches of Cushendall or Cushendun on the north coast, but the weather was pretty wet and dismal, so it was agreed a visit to the Ulster museum would be more agreeable.
We parked nearby and walked and I couldn't resist a photograph of the university, which is such a handsome building.
Entrance to the museum is free and so it is always pretty packed on high days and holidays. Some complain that it isn't very good, but I always find something to interest me.


Some lovely early delftware and creamware caught my eye today. Although Paul and Lois were more in to the stuffed animals and birds.

We ate our pic-nic in the car, some sandwiches and home made buns, washed down with flask coffee, you couldn't beat it with a big stick! Then we venture into Botanic Gardens for a mooch in the hothouse.

The Palm House, designed by Charles Lanyon and built by Richard Turner of Dublin (who went on to build the great Palm House at Kew.) Built in 1800's it is one of the earliest examples of a curvilinear cast iron greenhouse. (Pretty fancy huh!)

Enormous cactii and ferns. My husband just couldn't get over how small the containers were holding these giants.


I was most astounded to find a lovely Frangipani tree in the greenhouse, we have always admired these on holiday in Madeira.
We all had a great day out and it was free! Sometimes these unplanned days can be the best.

I hope you all had a lovely day too. Love Linda x

10 comments:

  1. Hello Linda,

    We absolutely agree that, very often, it is these spontaneous ideas that work out for the best.

    Your day out sounds to have been delightful and free, what is not to like? The hothouse is a splendid piece of architecture and one can definitely see shades of Kew in the design.

    The Delftware china is so pretty. We saw much evidence of this in our recent trip to Holland. Indeed, we even saw a blue and white porcelain lamppost in Delft! These Dutch know a thing or two!

    So pleased that you enjoyed your family day out. Take care and enjoy the summer! J and L xx

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  2. Hello Linda it looks like your day turned out wonderfully in the end. I absolutely love that greenhouse, wow, that is one pretty impressive piece of architecture. I am so pleased you had a lovely family day out and made some beautiful memories. Enjoy your week xoxo

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  3. When the weather is not so good a visit to the museum and a botanical glasshouse is a good way to spend a day off from work. There's always something interesting to see whether it's a collection of museum pieces or unusual horticultural specimens and colourful displays of flowers.

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  4. ooh wouldn't it be nice to open a cupboard and find a nice little pile of Delft Ware sitting there xx
    What a great day out..I always love the heat and the sweet peppery smell of greenhouses, perfect day xx

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  5. A lovely day out, one we would have enjoyed very much too! It was so interesting to see the hothouse, which does have a feel of the one at Kew. Loved the museum pieces you chose to photograph too, especially the large teapot. Wishing you a happy week, Linda!
    Helen xox

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  6. Sounds like a lovely day, Linda. I know I would enjoy all the items you featured.

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  7. What a fun day! The conservatory is magnificent!! I have been to Kew a few times, and the palm house there is a treasure. Cheers from DC~

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  8. What a lovely place to visit, I have been to Kew and it looks like it. And I love your shop, wow what beautiful things. I had to look twice at those chairs stained to look like mahogany as I have one... in my green house I am afraid to say, rather old and rickety as it was my grand mothers... but still great to sit on when I am potting on seedlings!
    I shall pop back to see some more of your lovely things and beautiful flower arrangements
    Chris

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  9. I would love to visit your botanical gardens, thanks for sharing your day.

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  10. Love early creamware and pearlware, there is something so tactile about it.
    What a fabulous Palm house....I could sit in there all day!
    Julie x

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