A bit behind due to various reasons!!!!! Too busy enjoying ourselves & trying to see it all. We (with my sister Jen) have done the family history sites! On our way to Belfast we left a green & gold plant on our g-g-g-grandparents' grave hoping they will plant it nearby for us - we left a note explaining it all.
Another day we went to Donegal for the day - via Beleek (pottery place) It is also the town on the border between the Republic & Nth Ireland. I bought a special The Gathering mug there (14 pounds!!! - all of it so expensive!) It was a grey day but fined up in the afternoon & brilliant sunshine.
We travelled up the south shore road of Lough Erne (passed the Resort where G8 was held) & back along north shore across Boa Island. Sunshine picked up the splash of autumn trees along the hedges & little green fields.
It rained it Donegal - Jen shook a bridegroom's hand on his way to the church to get married. He thanked her & asked where the money was!
Warren went through the Castle - it was original home of the Brooke's home from Colebrooke!
Another day we all had lovely afternoon tea in Lisnaskea, on way back from Crom Estate. We had afternoon tea - hot chocolate & scones (muesli & blackberry; mandarin & inger - YUM!) - because it was closing time she gave us the 3 left - over scones to bring home!!!! I bought a lovely warm beige & brown blotchy scarf at Vinnies for 2 pounds too!
On way to Belfast we stopped off at Portadown where Dad's grandfather born - I'm still to find out just where!!!
In Belfast we 'did' the Hop -on / Hop - off bus - great seeing the whole city & explanation of the Troubles. Saw the Murals in both areas (Shankill Rd & Falls Rd), the gates they closed when trouble started to keep the houses/people safe inside. Also the high security walls - now called the Peace Walls where everyone writes & paints messages. We spent a few hours at the wonderful Titanic Exhibition too!!!!
The Canadian couple (McCollum sister, Belle) & Harry picked us up & took us walking along the Lagan River - beautiful. They then took us to dinner at the Benedict Hotel & to their home for supper. They were both born in Nth Ireland but lived in Canada for 47 years. They have been back every year except 3!!!! Harry bought his parents' home when they died & has done it up for them to stay in - often 6 months at a time. Gorgeous inside - one of a row of small terrace houses - 3 stories, tiny rooms, very narrow staircase - you'll have to wait for photos - sorry!!! Van Morrison grew up nearby!Saw his house.
We worked out that Belle & (Kathleen & Emily - the other 2 sisters in Tempo) - our great-grandfathers were probably brothers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our Robert COLLUM & their John McCOLLUM!!! Close rellies - 2/3rd cousins?
Today we bused (20mins) from Belfast to the dock; 2 & half hour sea voyage to Cairnryan - smooth as could be - 2 hour bus trip to Glasgow - all along the coast of Scotland!!! Just beautiful - islands off shore surrounded by misty cloud, sheep in green fields, stone fences, little white houses! Lots of ruined stone houses, castles, tall round towers - gorgeous!
Too late to hire a car so we are staying at the Thistle Hotel - our room has 2 double beds, & is about 15 m long & 6m wide!!!! We think we might stay!
Another day we went to Donegal for the day - via Beleek (pottery place) It is also the town on the border between the Republic & Nth Ireland. I bought a special The Gathering mug there (14 pounds!!! - all of it so expensive!) It was a grey day but fined up in the afternoon & brilliant sunshine.
We travelled up the south shore road of Lough Erne (passed the Resort where G8 was held) & back along north shore across Boa Island. Sunshine picked up the splash of autumn trees along the hedges & little green fields.
It rained it Donegal - Jen shook a bridegroom's hand on his way to the church to get married. He thanked her & asked where the money was!
Warren went through the Castle - it was original home of the Brooke's home from Colebrooke!
Another day we all had lovely afternoon tea in Lisnaskea, on way back from Crom Estate. We had afternoon tea - hot chocolate & scones (muesli & blackberry; mandarin & inger - YUM!) - because it was closing time she gave us the 3 left - over scones to bring home!!!! I bought a lovely warm beige & brown blotchy scarf at Vinnies for 2 pounds too!
On way to Belfast we stopped off at Portadown where Dad's grandfather born - I'm still to find out just where!!!
In Belfast we 'did' the Hop -on / Hop - off bus - great seeing the whole city & explanation of the Troubles. Saw the Murals in both areas (Shankill Rd & Falls Rd), the gates they closed when trouble started to keep the houses/people safe inside. Also the high security walls - now called the Peace Walls where everyone writes & paints messages. We spent a few hours at the wonderful Titanic Exhibition too!!!!
The Canadian couple (McCollum sister, Belle) & Harry picked us up & took us walking along the Lagan River - beautiful. They then took us to dinner at the Benedict Hotel & to their home for supper. They were both born in Nth Ireland but lived in Canada for 47 years. They have been back every year except 3!!!! Harry bought his parents' home when they died & has done it up for them to stay in - often 6 months at a time. Gorgeous inside - one of a row of small terrace houses - 3 stories, tiny rooms, very narrow staircase - you'll have to wait for photos - sorry!!! Van Morrison grew up nearby!Saw his house.
We worked out that Belle & (Kathleen & Emily - the other 2 sisters in Tempo) - our great-grandfathers were probably brothers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our Robert COLLUM & their John McCOLLUM!!! Close rellies - 2/3rd cousins?
Today we bused (20mins) from Belfast to the dock; 2 & half hour sea voyage to Cairnryan - smooth as could be - 2 hour bus trip to Glasgow - all along the coast of Scotland!!! Just beautiful - islands off shore surrounded by misty cloud, sheep in green fields, stone fences, little white houses! Lots of ruined stone houses, castles, tall round towers - gorgeous!
Too late to hire a car so we are staying at the Thistle Hotel - our room has 2 double beds, & is about 15 m long & 6m wide!!!! We think we might stay!
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