Our new Fireplace.

Lorraine and I have been talking about a Belfast brick fireplace and wood burning stove for a long time now.  Our two friends Derick and Jeannette got to hear about it and offered us some bricks, and a grate they had left over from their fireplace.  Now I had no excuse for not getting started.  I had a few days holidays to take so I got stuck in to ripping out the old 1970's fireplace and back boiler.  Of course the pipe to the back boiler got punctured but that is a story on its own.  

We always knew that our friend Jim would be building it for us and true to form Jim and Laraine agreed and came down and spent the weekend helping us out, big time!!  The room is almost decorated now and should be finished for Christmas.  Hopefully in the new year we will get the stove to finish our long time ambition.

Picknick at Carlingford

To-day was a wonderful, Autumn sunny day. Lorraine, Laraine, Jim and I went for a drive, we had our pick-nick at Victoria Lock and then on to the village of Carlingford. Parked at the side of the road and then walked to the harbour.

"A man happy at his work"

Jim & Laraine "Love's young dream"

Sunny Picknick

When Laraine phones and asks if you want to go for a pick nick it's probably time to look out a rain coat. As soon as we get set up it always seems to rain. Not wee spots of rain but torrential rain. However we are a hardy bunch and used to roughing it a little and have a great time just the same. About an hour after we had finished the sun came out and we had a lovely walk down the prom in Newcastle. A quick ice cream at Maud's, job done. A lovely day is not measured by the surroundings or the weather it more about the people you spend it with, and the relationships you build by spending time together. Laraine & Jim have been good friends for a very long time...

Walk with Jim & Laraine