Why I love Strangford (and Portaferry)

I was only going to stay a few days and then as the weather changed from wind to sun it was hard to tear yourself away from the Lough. There is something very relaxing about the air around Strangfod Lough. Ok it depends on the weather but you really appreciate positive energy when you feel it.So whats going on down there at the moment? Apart from my exhibition in Strangford try a meal at the Cuan but the best meal I had when I was there was in Portaferry in the sailing club ( you dont have to be a member) along the shore the best seafood at the moment. Prawn and cod mornay- excellent www.portaferrysailingclub.co.uk. castlehill candles in Portaferry have an excellent sea breeze candle that is just like the real thing and for the summer months The port has opened up in Ferry Street by a group of Artists and applied artist that run it on a co-operative basis a real gem. Where else can you buy handspun/hand died wool? the real thing spun within a five mile radius?? beautiful colours. Really quirky knitwear and jewellery,cards,prints. I love their ethos no one wanted to commit to running it full time yet there were all these wonderful makers out their so they just got together to do it on a shared basis. It's open Thursday, Friday Saturday, Sunday and Monday 12-5pm . Nice to see someone is taking the slow movement to heart. Portaferry Tourist Information and Visitors Centre have art in the loft from now until the end of August At the mone there is an exhibition of Jennifer Brown Textures and Designs on until 9th May. Jennifer is a textile artists who produces intricate embroidered works. When I called in on Saturday there was a workshop going on and the creativity was in full swing.The next exhibition is Cecilia Stephens and Sara Brown both Artists that live nearby who have a very personal view of the lough being able to see it everday. Celicia is running a weaving wortkshop on 5th June 10-4pm and Sara a monoprinting workshop 19th June each cost £10 per participant.

There are walks galore and by popular demand I have to mention Dumigans a bar that going into it is like becoming an extra in a Beckett play. Very hard to describe the expereince you just have to try it yourself.Hard to tear myself away but now I'm back in the big smoke. A different kind of energy all together.