Abbatial Visit

Our Sunday drive took us to the Saltwater Brig bar and the village of Greyabbey at the Ards Peninsula in County Down. It is a long time since we last paid the Brig a visit; and we were not disappointed. Quite the opposite, in fact. A stalwart member of staff there, by the name of Olive, is exceptionally kind, cheerful and friendly; and she looked after us with a little table beside a roaring log fire.

Our meal was good value - better than the Strangford bars, in that sense - and the Dowager had a half portion of scampi with a good dressed salad; while I also had the scampi with garlic cube fries. We shared the vegetables. The tartare sauce came in a metal dish and seemed home-made.

I thought it was all very good. I'd certainly return.

Afterwards we motored back along the Portaferry Road to Greyabbey, where we parked near the ruined abbey itself. Here, inside the old abbey, are the graves of members of the Montgomery family. Close to the abbey there is a side entrance to Grey Abbey House, with a derelict gate lodge (pictured at the top). Wouldn't it be wonderful if the lodge were to be restored?