Five go adventuring again!

Biggest boy and I have been reading Enid Blyton's Famous Five books recently.....I do enjoy them, the words seeming so familiar from my own childhood....and don't get me started on some of the quite frankly weird books that pass as childrens' stories these days.....Enid Blyton is just fine by me!

Well, in very Famous Five-esque style we took our own family adventure today to an island.....not too unlike Kirran Island......complete with a picnic lunch..........

The boat trip was about 20 minutes, just perfect for fidgety boys, on sparkly water with blue skies to boot.

I had been to this island when I was a young thing, but as I remember, it couldn't have been more different on a grey, cool day.......today was just perfect!  The beaches were soft pale sand and the sea was beautifully clear.

The island is home to some Cistercian Monks, who live and worship in this big abbey

Here are my boys looking through the gates, most of the monastery is not accessible to women....I wonder if my hubby is thinking 'imagine how much simpler life could be!'

There are a couple of churches on the island and one of them housed some beautiful stained glass.

Tree of Life, designed and made in 1924 by one of the monks...Theodore Baily.

This glass depicts Mary,  baby Jesus and St. Helena

Also made by the same Benedictine monk, this fish glass has a very modern feel I think.

After taking a leisurely walk around the island, we headed back to the beach for a roll around in the sand.

Sand Angels

A couple of glances back as we get back on the return boat

Who needs Caribbean holidays?

We didn't wash our sandwiches down with lashings of homemade lemonade, but we did round the day off with some rather delicious ice-creams (sorry, no pics, I was too busy eating!)

Such a wonderful day....thanks for stopping by to share it with us!