Blue Tit Nest

I cleared out the blue tit nest-box today.

It's located on a wall at the north side of the house.

As can be seen, one chick didn't manage to fledge.

Police Memorial Service

THE PRINCE OF WALES, Patron, is this afternoon attending the National Police Memorial Day Service in the Waterfront Hall, Belfast.

His Royal Highness was received by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of the County Borough of Belfast (Mrs Fionnuala Jay-O’Boyle CBE).

Rangership Success

Cordial congratulations to my friends and colleagues, Tomasz Ciesielski and Will Hawkins, on their rangership with The National Trust.

Tomasz and Will are currently based at Strangford Lough, County Down.

Hidden Window

The National Trust's Northern Ireland autumn and winter newsletter has a very interesting section about the continuing restoration of Mount Stewart House, County Down.

A formerly blocked-up window has been discovered in the Genoa bedroom.

This was once Lady Londonderry's bedroom; and then her daughter, Lady Mairi Bury, used it.

The blocked-up area behind the bed was revealed as having been a fully-functioning sash window.

There is a signature etched into the paintwork which dates to 1883.

As a consequence of this discovery, the Genoa bedroom now has four windows.

Skillins Wood

I've spent a lovely day with other National Trust staff and volunteers at Skillins Point, County Down, where there is a fine oak and ash wood.

There were about nine of us today.

Self brandishing an axe

We were dismantling an old barbed-wire fence and removing the wooden posts.

We all lunched at the shore, not far from Mid Island and Greyabbey, on the Ards Peninsula.

Before we left, we all managed to take some ash logs with us.

Prince Edward in NI

The Earl of Wessex has begun a two-day visit to Northern Ireland.

His Royal Highness was greeted at Belfast City Airport by the Lord-Lieutenant of Belfast, Mrs Fionnuala Jay-O'Boyle CBE.

Prince Edward arrived at The St Patrick Centre, Downpatrick, County Down, where he met the Centre's Director, Mr Tim Campbell.

After lunch, HRH visited Down Cathedral, where he was greeted by the Dean of Down, the Very Rev Henry Hull, the Lord Bishop of Down and Dromore, the Rt Rev Harold Miller, Mrs Hull, Mrs Miller, and the Organist and Master of the Choristers, Mr Michael McCracken.

His Royal Highness then proceeded to the Downpatrick and County Down Railway Museum, where he was greeted by the Vice-President, Mr William Gillespie, and the Chairman, Mr John Wilson.

THIS EVENING, The Earl of Wessex was guest of honour at a special event in the headquarters of Belfast Education and Library Board, Belfast.

HRH was met on arrival by Dr Clare Mangan, Chief Executive, Rosemary Rainey, BELB board member, and Claire McCollum, freelance presenter.

Prince Edward then made his way to the Belfast Harbour Commissioners’ Offices for his final engagement of the day,  a reception to celebrate Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and Joint Award Initiative Leaders.

His Royal Highness also had the opportunity to meet and present Bronze awards to a small number of recipients who had completed the programme under the Joint Award Initiative with the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.

Distiller's Arms

I enjoyed a fine, hearty meal at The Distiller's Arms (Tartine) on Sunday evening. It's located at one end of Bushmills' Main Street, County Antrim.

I do like this place. The staff, particularly the manager, always welcome me cordially.

I had a chin-wag with some of the staff, particularly about Dundarave and its sale.

One of the staff is involved in the game activities within the Estate, and I told him that this ought now to be secure.

Back to my dinner: Firstly I had the Seafood Platter, a dish comprising two or three large prawns, crab pâté, smoked salmon, salad garnish, and wheaten bread.

The glass plate itself was very large and opaque.

I relished this starter with gusto.

My main course was the lamb shank with spring onion of scallion mash, carrots and parsnip.

This was a hearty meal, perfect for an early autumn evening.

Despite a sore temptation for pudding or Irish coffee, I resisted, settled the bill, and bade Tartine farewell.