It was a beautiful day when we moored up this morning, and it’s only got sunnier and warmer ! The view from our balcony is over the old Harland and Wolfe dry dock with its emblazoned cranes, and the new angular Titanic exhibition center with all its shiny exterior plates.

Today’s tour was to Mount Stewart House and gardens. But first a stop at Stormont House, Northern Ireland’s Parliament House.

Then onto the main attraction. Mount Stewart House is still privately owned and lived in, whilst the National Trust run the gardens. I had heard about them, but they exceeded my expectations.

The sunken garden led into the Italian garden. With partial glimpses of the house and a bewitching array of tropical plants (with the Gulf Streams warming effect), it was a delight to walk around and photograph. The fantastical statues greatly added to it, with naughty monkeys and Dodo’s.

The Italian garden ran into the Peace, Spanish, Mairi gardens and then the Fountain walk. All had a distinct different feel to them.

By now half of our time was up ! We still had a lot more to see, so split up. Hazel “did” the house whilst I continued to roam around the garden. The lake had a circular path around it with paths radiating out to a walled garden, rose garden, family mausoleum and a red squirrel hide (sadly it was too warm/late to see any).

A great morning, but you really needed the whole day to do it justice. The drive back to the ship thru Belfast then showed man’s ugly side with sharply divided communities still evident.

So a great morning ! Sadly all that activity wore me out….we didn’t bother going into town for shopping this afternoon. We have a dinner in the speciality restaurant Toscana tonight, and then only 2 days more cruising before the long haul home.