Well hello there everyone! It’s a beautiful sunny day here in Dublin, and to make it EVEN BETTER, some pictures from Paddy and Plunkett dropped into my inbox last week. I was beginning to wonder where they’d got to… When they’re quiet, that’s often a sign of mischief brewing. But here they are, on the road (or rather, the rails) again!
The lads do enjoy a nice trip on the train.
Hey look, we’re here!
Um, Cullywherenow?
Cullybackey is a village that sits almost halfway between Belfast and Derry/Londonderry. It may be small, but they have an interesting welcoming party standing by to greet our adventurous Beastie duo!
And it doesn’t stop with leprechauns, either. Look out, Plunkett… Here be dragons!
Oh, and unicorns and fairies too!
But you might be surprised to learn that these wondrous creatures are not the reason Paddy and Plunkett took the train to Cullybackey. Well, not the only reason.
Walk on a little further, and…
Ta-daaaaaah! Bluebells galore!
And as the boys ventured deeper into the wood, the bluebells really started to take over!
This incredible display is in Galgorm Wood, a forest managed by the Woodland Trust. Better still, these bluebells are the kind native to Britain and Ireland, rather than the invasive straight-stemmed Spanish variety which has elbowed them out in many places.
But in such a profusion of bluebell blooms, a Beastie could easily get lost.
“Paddy? Paaaddyyyyy!”
So, where’s he got to?
Oh, I see him! Paddy can never resist a bit of tree climbing, and storm-felled beech trees make a perfect Beastie climbing frame.
And on the other side… It’s a Beastie-sized cabin!
You’d better get the kettle on, Paddy… I think Plunkett will need a big cup of tea when he eventually tracks you down!
Do any of you have a local bluebell wood to explore? Or is there another plant that heralds the change of the season where you are? Tell us all about it in the comments!
And I’ll have a new Beastie for you all to meet next week, so be sure to join us then!
Beasties!!! I enjoyed looking at their adventures! The Beastie size cabin was adorable!
Isn’t it? Unfortunately they all want one now… I might be expanding into construction at this rate 😆 Thanks for joining the boys on their latest trip, Tierney! 😊
Wait, this is the Beastie Blog? With that “vicious” dragon, for a second there I thought I was watching a scene from Game of Thrones.
My bluebells are all faded by now and I’m stuck with their messy foliage until it fades, so thanks for reminding me that they were once attractive plants!
Also, could you get me the number of that cabin’s owner? I think Finn wants to make reservations.
Ha! I knew it would be risky publishing that photo… Now Beasties everywhere will be clamouring to stay in this peaceful (although not for long) woodland cabin! Mr McSpool might apply to the Woodland Trust, although he probably shouldn’t expect his usual diva demands (red carpet, champagne cocktails on arrival) to be met.
Glad you enjoyed the bluebells and mythical creatures, too! Cheers for popping in! 😁
Wait, who’s been giving him champagne cocktails and not giving me any. Oh, hold on, he probably did get mine saying he’d “bring it to me.” Too bad he brought it in his belly. Pest!
Letting Finn go to the bar for you? Rookie mistake! 😆
I was hoping he’d pay for the round. I know, what was I thinking?
How delightful – I’m glad P&P found a place that allowed them to enjoy all that Beastie-sized charm. That ladder seems made just for Beastie-climbing! And those fields of bluebells are spectacular! I know that the seasons are turning when I catch eastern redbud trees – their pink blooms make them hard to miss in the forest (and there is something so wild about pink trees!).
There certainly is! I’d never heard of those before, but thanks to the wonders of the internet, I was able to enjoy their beauty from the comfort of my couch! Cheers for joining Paddy and Plunkett on their latest pint-sized adventure, Shirley 😊