On Saturday (beautiful warm sunny day – how lucky we have been!) we set off to ‘see the fishing competitors’??? Big competiton here – number of pike caught.

We went to Round O Quay – canoeists, ferries, DUCKS – but only the odd one or two fishing from boats along the shore. We were told later, the loch is so big & they all have their favourite spots –hidden away’ from others! Still haven’t hear results. The winner last year stayed at Molly’s – he caught 28kgs of pike in 48 hrs!!!!!!

We went on to Loch Erne Golf Resort where G8 was held a few months back (Obama & Putin & like there!) BEAUTIFUL grounds, hotel & lots of groups of ‘little houses’. Lots there playing golf – 2 old cars strategically placed for effect – note the Austin – Warren’s father borrowed his brother-in-law’s one in 1949 to take the family out. Warren sat on a biscuit tin in the middle of the seats!

We visited ruined Portora Castle (built to protect Enniskillen from water - bourne attack from the west) by William Cole in early 16oo’s during Plantation of Ulster by Scottish Presbyterians.

Also visited Castle Coole – beautiful old house. Sadly it is closed (after summer!) but grounds open to walkers, cyclists, horse-riders & golfers!

Today, Sunday we went to speak to 97 year old Jack Primrose about my families. He couldn’t remember many of them but told us about his life in Cooneen area in 1920’s to now.

Had lovely roast dinner with Ethel & Roy & their daughter Amanda & grandson, James (7). He & his dad are GREAT Liverpool supporters Scott!!!!! He had his Liverpool jersey & socks on (No 8).

We went to the Harvest Festival service. It only lasted 30 mins – we didn’t understand three quarters of it (but neither did Ethel, she said later!!!!) – only that he had  Powerpoint photographs we got the gist of what he was saying!

After the service Roy kept gathering people of the family names I mentioned. In the end there were 4 men & 2 ladies standing in a circle with us – they all talking excitedly together in their lilting up & down voices about people, who married who and places (unpronounceable to us!) where they came from & lived. We were the last to leave. There was one older fellow who was a Rate Collector & has ‘lots of old papers’ who invited us back to see if he can help.

We & Ethel & Roy’s son David & his wife & 4 children went back for high tea at E&R’s. Lovely sitting around the table talking about our lives. Ethel is only BAXTER descendant of two different BAXTER families. Her mother had two sisters – one did not marry & the other married but had no children. So Ethel & Roy & son David have ended up with all their farms & everything else!

Today where setting off for the north coast (Giant’s Cuaseway & east coast) for a few days. It’s supposed to stay (MAINLY) fine but colder at night.