It’s been a lovely relaxing February so far. Traditionally it’s one of the quieter months in business. I have had some time to destress and unwind a little. It’s so easy to get caught up in the pressures of life. Sometimes situations or people can drain the life from us. It’s so important to put our own mental health and emotional well being first. 

Finding beauty in unusual places

Lough Lannagh Castlebar

  
So over the last few weeks We have tried out a few new places to walk. On Valentine’s Day we did the Raheen Woods walk out the Newport Road. It’s not a very long walk but You could easily walk around the loop twice. It’s just fabulous out there in the beautiful woodland walk. I’d highly recommend it. A great spot and only minutes from Castlebar Town. 

Raheen Woods

Last week We took a spin up to Cong on Friday evening. What a quaint beautiful little place. We went for a long walk around the grounds of Ashford Castle, it is spectacular.A stunningly  beautiful place. Mesmerising to be honest. We would love to stay there sometime as a special treat. I’d say it’s an awesome experience.  I’ve heard the food is to die for. We walked all around the grounds it was just fabulous. I would highly recommend a visit to this amazing spot. Ashford Castle is on the Galway Mayo border, definitely worth the trip to Cong. 
 

Ashford Castle

Amazing entrance to Ashford Castle

A few steps from our home in Ballyheane

Thanks for reading 

Love Maria xx 
 

Yet another photo of the lake

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I just thought Id share, my little piece of heaven with You today. For the locals  You are all very familiar with Lough Lannagh. For all my other readers, Lough Lannagh is our little urban retreat here in Castlebar. Lough Lannagh consists of a great little walking trail around the town lake, basically. Its been kept really well and in fairness We are really lucky to have it. Its about 2k to loop around I usually do 2-3 laps as my workout. The thing is the place is absolutely beautiful. You are walking along by trees, water and a fabulous view of Crogh Patrick. There is a bridge crossing the lake and You can walk around by the playground if You wish. Even on a wet day there is still something lovely  about the place. The photo above was taken last March just before our wedding. The one below I took this morning.

 I mean seriously, isn’t it just beautiful, I’m really lucky because I get to walk here a few times a week. It takes me about five minutes  to walk from my salon to here. I try and go on my lunch hour if I can, well the days I get a lunch (hairdresser problems eh?) This place is my “chill out time” after a few laps of “the lake” as we call it locally I just feel all my stress melts away. Its such a lovely calming place, even when my mind is in turmoil over something I can always see things more clearly after a good brisk walk here.

There’ s the Greenway Café for anyone who wants to stop for a bite of lunch. I always think its a bit cruel to be advertising delicious desserts and us poor souls out in all weather trying to fight the flab. I haven’t had the pleasure of visiting the Greenway café just yet but I have heard fantastic reports on it and I will try it out soon.

 So You can see from the photos why us folk of Castlebar love the place so much. I genuinely think it has brought such contentment to the locals. I think it just brilliant and it has really helped me to de-stress and look after my mental health, as well as helping with weight-loss and fitness.

So there You have it, one of the many little gems here in the West . I often think visitors to the town probably miss out on it. Its only minutes away from the main shopping area. Next time Your in Castlebar pop down and see for Yourself. Trust me the place is so calming You will fall in love with it, and stop at the Greenway Café, if they can tempt you in.

As always, thank You for reading and please hit that share button.

Love Maria xx

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