On Ploughman's Hill

I enjoyed an organized walk through the new Ploughman's Hill walk at Mount Stewart estate yesterday.

For the benefit of those readers who have not been following the narrative, Mount Stewart, on the Ards Peninsula, County Down, was the magnificent County Down seat of the Marquesses of Londonderry.

It is now a property of the National Trust.

Ranger Toby met about fifteen of us at the courtyard behind the mansion.

We all ambled past the lake, and just beyond it there is the beginning of the new trail.

Ploughman's Hill Walk has not officially opened yet, though it is expected to open imminently.

En route a new red squirrel hide is being erected in the midst of wonderful silvan scenery.

Toby estimates that we have about 35 to 40 red squirrels on the estate presently, and numbers are expected to grow significantly in the next few years.

The gravel path leads to open woodland, which swerves round towards the sea and close to the Twin Lodges on the Portaferry Road.

Toby really knows his stuff and provided us with abundant facts and figures relating to the estate.

When our walk finished I didn't linger because it was a bit chilly.

I'm very glad to see that a brand new shepherd's hut, the Mark Two, is in situ and is currently being fitted out.

Maggie's Hut

Maggie's Hut

At the beginning of the Blue and Red trails at the National Trust's Mount Stewart estate on the Ards Peninsula, County Down, there was a blue shepherd's hut where a member of staff greeted visitors and provided information.

Unfortunately that quaint little hut was crushed by a large tree during a storm in December, 2017.

I have just been informed, however, that a replacement arrives in the estate today, the 20th March, 2018.

It seems, however, that shepherd's huts or keepers' watch huts do have a history.

The one at Mount Stewart (above) was built by a company in County Fermanagh.

My cousin Shirley and her family purchased one, and it's installed in the grounds of their home at Fittleworth in West Sussex.

In fact, if you like the look of it and its location at the village of Fittleworth, you can stay in it.

It is close to the Duke of Richmond's magnificent seat, Goodwood.

Maggie's Hut has a double bed and wood-burning stove.

The Swan Inn, a family-run 15th century pub, is a short stroll away, too, convenient for the South Downs National Park, Chichester, Petworth and Arundel.

Maggie's hut during winter, 2018.

Maggie's Hut has a separate outdoor 'Eco' composting loo, and showering facilities are presently available in the main house.

I wish them every success with their imaginative endeavour; and may many guests enjoy Maggie's Hut.

I know who "Maggie" is, by the way (!).

First published in September, 2016.

The Belmont Stew

You might recall the traditional recipe I shared for proper Irish stew?

Well, I'm cooking it today.

Here is my method and list of ingredients:-

1 lb lean lamb pieces;
1 lb onions;
1 lb carrots;
1 lb potatoes;
salt & pepper;
pinch of thyme.

METHOD

1. Place mutton with thyme in pot and add cold water to cover.
2. Bring slowly to the boil and simmer for one hour.
3. Add vegetables, all peeled and roughly chopped.
4. Season (I add one teaspoon of salt at first, and pepper).
5. Continue cooking until vegetables are tender.
6. Adjust seasoning. 

The lamb - which I trim well - is cut into pieces, placed in the sauce-pan with about half a teaspoon of thyme, covered with cold water, brought to the boil, and simmered for one hour.

Next I add the roughly chopped vegetables.

This has to be one of the tastiest, simplest, healthiest, most nutritious stews.

Using this method the lamb is very tender, and the water it is simmered in becomes a liquid stock, in fact.

I do cover cover the pot initially, though prefer to keep the lid off because condensation generates too much water (though this can be reduced at a later stage).

Simply simmer the stew and turn the ingredients occasionally.

It takes several hours.

Don't rush it.

First published in January, 2014; modified 2018.

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