We had a lovely weekend here - while saddened by everyone at home affected by bushfires & awful weather. They are in all the News bulletins here - terrible graphic film footage; & not ever yet!
Fri night we went to Clogher Historical Soc dinner at Enniskillen Hotel (newly refurbished). Lovely 3 course dinner, sat with lady lives near Belleek. Lady spoke on the crammog (ancient, 2,500 yrs old artificial island formed in middle of lake by early settlers here. An archeological dig has finished on it now, nearby here. They found 5,500 'pieces of history'. People then lived in round & then rectangular wooden huts - about 7 layers all on top of each other. Quite fascinating.
Saturday - catch up day, washing (rained most of day after I put it out!!! brought it in dripping wet, spun??? then draped around heater!!!). I spoke at the Fermanagh Family History meeting in afternoon.
Sunday - we went to the final 'laying up of the colours' for the Inniskilling Dragoon Guards - they have amalgamated with another Regiment.There was a parade up the main street to the Church of Ireland Cathedral, followed by pipe band & returned soldiers (even 5 Pensioners in uniform!) - the salute taken then lovely (packed) church service. Lord & Lady Brooke represented the Queen; we sang God Save the Queen twice (one lady opposite didn't sing) & all the old hymns (Nearer my God to Thee (sung while Titanic sank!), Be Thou my Vision, I vow to thee, my Country (England) - Warren videoed all hymns). After that we went to Harvest festival lunch at Molly's church! Rained again in afternoon.
Although they talk about everyone getting on together the 'old divisions -protestant v catholic/ England v Ireland OFTEN come up in everyday conversations & News happenings. This weekend there is 'a walk' in Belfast to commemorate the killings from bomb blasts in Shankhill Rd, Belfast. Even at family history meeting 'snide remark' about protestant man they were talking about.
Yesterday (Mon) Warren took me in to catch 6.25am bus to Belfast to go to PRONI (Public Record Office). I HAD THE BEST DAY!!!!!!!!
Got perfect colour scans/copies of Brooke Deeds (land tennants on Colebrooke Estate from 1787!!!!) They not only name 3 leasees but give their ages & relationships & where they all came from!!!!!! I'm back to 1747 & it looks like ALL the BAXTERS ( 6 so far were brothers, I'm pretty sure) who settled here. So something for me to do in England (Scotland border?) find out when they came & where from - just before Deed dates I would think!!!!! I can see a study/book coming out of it all?????
So Tues today - it's fine (mostly!) !!!!! - on & off! so we're off to find Belle Isle (Manor House/Castle on it) & Cleenish Island down near Carry Bridge, not too far away. Molly just brought over a fruit cake she has made for us to take home! She & Eileen have been making them (cooked in oil heater stove like ours! for Christmas).
That's Mark in fifth photo.
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