Causeway Coast and Belfast city - 23rd to 25th May

 Hi all,

We have packed a lot in since saying farewell to Enniskillen. We took the long road to Belfast via Bushmills Old Distillery.

Then a short drive east to the Giants Causeway, and it was clear enough to see Scotland on the horizon. The start of our best weather for the whole trip so far.

After a welcome lunch in Bushmills town, we continued south to Belfast to find our apartment right beside the Cathedral. The streets around us were teeming with young people - out for a good time on Saturday night.

We opted for drinks at the Thirsty Goat then, for a change of diet we had dinner at the Vietnamese street food restaurant in our square - very good Pho. Next day, we were lucky to get a personal guided tour of Belfast hosted by cousin Neil Robinson. Even with a warts and all story of the ongoing tensions of this still somewhat divided city, we were all impressed by Belfast City, a small, low rise city that has kept its charm and homage to its history.

The city even has its own leaning town, unfortunately built over an old river bed.

We ventured out of the city only a few miles, surprised to find we were in the countryside. More surprising was Neil pointing out the Gaint Ring, a 5000 year old Neolithic circle, older than the pyramids.

All that was thirsty work, so we took Neil’s recommendation to have an afternoon refreshment at the Merchant Hotel.

Just what the doctor ordered before a pre dinner rest up. We then took an uber to the Lough- side suburb of  Hollywood, at the DirtyDuck Alehouse where Norm’s Auntie Betty and Garret family cousins were waiting for us.

What a great evening as we reminisced about childhood in Belfast before Norm and his family left for Australia in 1963. Auntie Betty was just married then and only 19 - she is the last of the 6 sibling of Norm’s mum May alive, so it was an emotional reunion. Cousins Charlene, Neil, Stephen, Sharon, and Sandra made us all very welcome and part of the Belfast family. As usual, Stephens’s dad jokes kept us amused.

We were sad to say farewell for now, but we left with promise of a visit to Australia in 2027, so watch out!

Today, is our last full day in Belfast before Holly heads home and Norm and Felicity head to Corfu. So we couldn't miss a visit to the Titanic exhibition. What a building and outstanding exhibition - world class.

On Board the original Titanic Tender the Nomadic 

Of course, Felicity’s rules say no day is complete without a visit to a church, so we made a trip around the corner from our apartment to visit the Belfast Cathedral.

The Cathedral is relatively new, late nineteenth century, and Protestant churches seem less ornate than their somewhat OTT European sisters. The exception was the magnificent, Ravenna inspired mosaics in pockets around the naves.

It is hard to find a picture that sums up our two weeks in this great island of Ireland, but maybe the sun shining, at last, on these umbrellas in a cathedral sector street will do it. Plenty of colour and character and appreciation when the sun makes an appearance. 23 degrees today!

We will rest up tonight for tomorrow’s mid morning departures. All out love from Holly, Felicity and Norm. ❤️🧳🍷🥳