Today was a lovely day. I went along to Longford Demesne in Beltra, Co. Sligo with Michael and Molly from Nature Learn.

Longford Demesne is run by Yvonne and Declan Foley and it’s obvious they are passionate about their little bit of heaven. They are also one of the most hospitable couples I’ve ever met. Not only were we given tea but there were also amazing sandwiches and cakes – if you follow the blog you know cake is the way to my heart 😉 Of course I talk too much and I really should come with a health warning because I’m sure they were delighted to see the back of me 😉

Yvonne and Declan won the 2010 RDS Forest Service Bio-Diversity Forestry/Woodlands Award in recognition of their efforts and works on the demesne. It’s a well deserved award and you can tell the place is a labour of love.

There are three different walks and they are a mix of woodland, streams, a meadow, a fort and a Fulacht Fia which is an old cooking site and dates back to pre-Christian times.

If only we could go back in time and see it as it would have been, I’d say the site has some tales to tell.

In the coming months there will be various nature walks taking place run by Nature Learn, there is also a writers workshop taking place there. I’m hoping to go back myself on a nicer day and with a working camera lens! So I can get some better photos.

Sincere thanks to Yvonne and Declan for a very relaxing afternoon and for sharing your world with me.