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War, love & tough decisions: ‘The Nightingale’ by Kristin Hannah

The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah The Nightingale is a beautiful story of bravery, familial bonds, love and loss set in World War II. The story alternates between the narratives of two sisters living in Nazi occupied France.  Isabelle and Vianne are not one bit alike; one stubbornly brave but lonely and the other wholesome and kind, but meek. Their differences are exacerbated during the circumstances of war, the other not knowing the contributions the other was making. Isabelle, a young woman in the French resistance and Vianne, a married woman whose husband is a prisoner of war and who has a nazi captain billeted at her home. They both defy expectations placed on them by themselves and others. Isabelle and Vianne deal with life and death decisions, the loss of loved ones and realising that not all situations are black and white, but muddied with complex and conflicting feelings. Throughout, the author juxtaposes very genuine and natural human reactions with the realities of war i...
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Off to Gosford we go!

This weekend we headed to Co. Armagh to Gosford Forest Park.

Gosford was new to me and I was really excited to visit. The forest is located on the edge of Markethill, Co. Armagh and on this lockdown weekend it was extremely busy. I suspect at this time of year during non-lockdown conditions, it might not be as busy.


When we arrived, cars were lined along the road outside the forest and many people walked in. We decided to park in the forest and paid a £5 entrance fee. 


Near the car park are expansive fields in which stunning deer and stags graze. Several walks are signposted and there is a route up the centre of these fields that allows you to get closer to these majestic animals. 



When we walked by, two stags put on a great rutting display. Thankfully it didn’t develop into anything too violent! The sound of antlers coming together is unique, woody and hollow at the same time.



While it was fantastic to see these animals, stags are in season at this time of year (Oct-Nov) and they are wild animals, so should be regarded with caution.


We eventually progressed with the rest of the walk along the black trail which took us through the forest. Here the path was winding in places but for the most part, it was flat and walking conditions were easy.



A visit to Gosford would not be complete without seeing the castle. Although the castle is not part of the council run forest and is now a private development, the red trail takes walkers through the woods and around the perimeter of the castle, and what a castle it is.



The castle was designed in the Norman style and has elements similar to both Windsor and Carrickfergus Castles. It is large and has both round and square towers, but due to the forest, it is not visible until you have arrived at it. 


Aside from the deer and castle, the forest has great play park facilities for little people. There is a large play park beside the car park and the orange adventure trail has many quirky slides and a zip line along the path.


The forest also caters for horse riders and mountain bikers, so it both beautiful and versatile. You can even grab a cup of coffee at the coffee trailer in the car park if you need a caffeine pick me up.



However for me, the deer and stags were the highlight of the forest. I would definitely recommend this park for walkers and families alike, but it because of the deer that I would visit again. They have my heart ♥️ 


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