What to do in Norn Iron on a cloudy and threateningly rainy Saturday with golf uncertain and Newcastle crammed with trippers and the mountains swarming with earnest,bearded eco walkers? A stately home perhaps-the Paxton House of County Down but with more to it in its 700 acres of woods, walks, sea side, bird centre and caff. Latter not as good as PH concentrating on woolen white bread sandwiches and over brewed tea. Typical National Trust fare-and only the brave deserve (or can risk) the fare. As you will see from the pics the house, same sort of vintage as Paxton was built by a couple with differing views on architechtural style-hence the classical front and the Gothic back-his and hers although I believe that it was she who had the classic front and he the gothic rear-judging from a large action painting of the family in the Stable tea room (another PH touch). But a good day and nice to be able to justify a rather pricey NT annual sub. A very Norn Iron consideration.
