Last week Andrew and I had an adventure to Fermanagh to stay in a grade 2 listed rural thatched cottage and knock off another 10 miles of our Ulster Way challenge. Toby stayed with his Granny (thank you again!).
It was the beginning of this heatwave and the roads got so very hot that by 3.30pm the tarmac was melting! Lucky we didn't have too much further to drive and our arrival at the cottage was blessed with many a large cool tree in the driveway and cool interior.
Martel's Cottage - 250 year old thatch cottage named after the famous explorer Eduardo-Alfred Martel, famous for charting Marble Arch cave system.
So this is the back entrance (away from the busy road) in straight into the dinning room/kitchen. The whitewashed stone walls and flagstone floor were so welcome in the 30 degree heat. The huge range wasn't needed by us - whew! But it cooks food, heats the house and heats the water and boy the instruction manual would need a lot of studying.
Waking into the living room, looking at the books up on the wall and sitting facing the fire was so instantly homely. The decor throughout was arts and crafts style with many handmade touches. The wasn't any TV but loads of DVD's and no Internet - eek! It was actually really nice.
Of course, once the interior had been looked over we had to back outside and check out the garden, the tree house, the out buildings and a surprise or two...
We have told the owners that the place has overgrown rather and gone from rural woolly chic to 'get your strimmer out' and tidy up now! They are going to get on it as soon as they can; they don't live near here and took our thoughts (mainly excellent) but some constructive, really well.
You would probably feel the same as us simply by being there - you would do it yourself, oh it would be so satisfying! Plus those raised beds NEED veggies in them, right? To the left of the first picture of this collage there was a fairy garden too but it was so overgrown (kids would LOVE it) and the photos are poor.
Surprise number one was this original gypsy caravan which is only just starting to crumble - it could be saved and it was so cute! The roof and interior seem in good condition, the floor and start of rot on the trailer base are the only urgent things. Thinking on that however when there is so much work still to do on the property, tackling this too sounds exhausting even just writing it down!
The second surprise was hidden in beyond the woodshed...
A fantastic wilderness area with swings (we played on those far to much for the average adult, hahaa), a shelter and a fire pit! it was perfect and we went back after dinner to enjoy a bottle of wine and a beautiful open fire on a peaceful summer night with the sounds of birds singing and cows mooing.
OK. I over did it with the photos but seriously this is them parred down. It was quiet the magical place and with a 10 km walk ahead of us the next day in 31 degree heat and a billion percent humidity, it was a good start.
Love and hugs
C xx
It was the beginning of this heatwave and the roads got so very hot that by 3.30pm the tarmac was melting! Lucky we didn't have too much further to drive and our arrival at the cottage was blessed with many a large cool tree in the driveway and cool interior.
So this is the back entrance (away from the busy road) in straight into the dinning room/kitchen. The whitewashed stone walls and flagstone floor were so welcome in the 30 degree heat. The huge range wasn't needed by us - whew! But it cooks food, heats the house and heats the water and boy the instruction manual would need a lot of studying.
Waking into the living room, looking at the books up on the wall and sitting facing the fire was so instantly homely. The decor throughout was arts and crafts style with many handmade touches. The wasn't any TV but loads of DVD's and no Internet - eek! It was actually really nice.
Of course, once the interior had been looked over we had to back outside and check out the garden, the tree house, the out buildings and a surprise or two...
We have told the owners that the place has overgrown rather and gone from rural woolly chic to 'get your strimmer out' and tidy up now! They are going to get on it as soon as they can; they don't live near here and took our thoughts (mainly excellent) but some constructive, really well.
You would probably feel the same as us simply by being there - you would do it yourself, oh it would be so satisfying! Plus those raised beds NEED veggies in them, right? To the left of the first picture of this collage there was a fairy garden too but it was so overgrown (kids would LOVE it) and the photos are poor.
the view from the top of the den - no boys allowed, haha
Surprise number one was this original gypsy caravan which is only just starting to crumble - it could be saved and it was so cute! The roof and interior seem in good condition, the floor and start of rot on the trailer base are the only urgent things. Thinking on that however when there is so much work still to do on the property, tackling this too sounds exhausting even just writing it down!
The second surprise was hidden in beyond the woodshed...
A fantastic wilderness area with swings (we played on those far to much for the average adult, hahaa), a shelter and a fire pit! it was perfect and we went back after dinner to enjoy a bottle of wine and a beautiful open fire on a peaceful summer night with the sounds of birds singing and cows mooing.
OK. I over did it with the photos but seriously this is them parred down. It was quiet the magical place and with a 10 km walk ahead of us the next day in 31 degree heat and a billion percent humidity, it was a good start.
Love and hugs
C xx
An nice read and good pictures. It certainly looks somewhere a bit different which you clearly both enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteI hope that your walk the next day went okay. xx
It was certainly different and I'm glad we experienced it again but I wouldn't rush back to a life like that, I am a girl who likes her comforts. haha. The walk went well as you can see from the next post - kisses.
DeleteThat is such a pretty cottage. It reminds me of our previous house (also a thatch) because that had a bright red door. It kind of fits somehow!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment! Yes oxide red doors (and window frames) are traditional in Ireland - it just looks so cheery. xx
DeleteMmmm. That view of the snug cottage from the top of the den is postcard-worthy. I can what you mean about the overgrowth but in a photo, it's very charming :-) Of course, I've no hand to play in tidying that up!
ReplyDeleteA nicer red than the nasty maroon our garden gate has faded to.
ReplyDelete