After being tied up with bonsai for the last two Sundays it was a relief to get out with the dogs this morning. We added a bit on to the walk to make it around the 11 mile mark. We started off at the Lead Mines in Ards and walked the Clandeboye Way to Bangor Marina. Some nice trees and flowers along the way for inspiration.

Three Towers, Scrabo Tower way in the background.

Some native Orchids I spotted on the way. Amazing that they have survived the dirt Bikes that tear the area to bits!

At the top of the first hill is Helens Tower. You can read about it for yourselves. It was nice to see and reminded me of the Ulster Tower during my trip to the Somme Battlefield last September.

Some nice Beech and Pine around the Tower dating to the original planting in 1848.

Swan Lake?

I was amazed at just how much damage had been caused to the trees in recent winds.

Oak branches hanging by a thread.

What are you looking at?

Introducing my dog Smudge. Waiting patiently for me to arrive on the beach.

Where did the path go??

Flag Iris just coming to an end of flowering.

Oyster Catchers.

Pink Valerian

Eleven miles later, the finish line at Bangor Marina.