Derry, sister jaunt, and Cushendun

We are leaving Ireland tomorrow (*sigh*) and I am still trying to catch up on blogging! At our final B&B we have internet in our rooms with a fantastic signal - figures!

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A week ago today we headed off for a day in Derry. Strangely enough, 13 years ago when we were visiting the same city I had taken a picture of my parents in front of one of the gates to the city (the only completely walled city left in Ireland). My friend Anne Marie saw that photo and thought she recognized the place - hey! she said, my cousin has a pub right through that gate. So we thought it would be fun to visit that very pub on our trip this time!

Here is dad in front of the gate!



 And here is Anne Marie's cousin's pub!

 It must have been hilarious to see our group of eight troop in, climb the stairs to the second level and plop ourselves down at all the tables, prepared to have a nice lunch after our long drive. Then Gemma came upstairs and kindly told us they only serve drinks - no food. hee hee  We chatted, explained who we are, she gave us some direction to another place to eat and we were on our way again.

After we did find a bite to eat, we took a tour of Derry's walls (and had a bit of political commentary thrown in to the mix). Strolling along, we watched another dark tower of clouds move in over us and add a little rain to the atmosphere. Still an interesting excursion for everyone.

Walking the walls of Doire.

The Wee Church of Derry (Church of Ireland).

Miz C on the old walls.

The next day, Damian was flying to London and then home (a week before the rest of us). Kim and I drove him down the coast to the Belafast airport. The coastal route was so gorgeous that after saying a sad good bye to D we decided to return to Cushendun that way, passing through all the sea villages that border the glens of Antrim. In the village of Glenarm we happened upon signs pointing us to Glenarm Castle's walled gardens and tearoom. We stopped there and were delighted we did - it was a definite highlight of our week and allowed for some great sister time...

I love these gardens.

Viewing the gardens from the top of "the mount."



At the top of the mount....an interesting hill in the middle of the manicured gardens - left wild but with a mown pathway circling to the top.



Yum - our delicious tea. Kim had broccoli soup fresh from the castle's vegetable garden.

 

What are these? There were huge bushes full of these blossoms with a delicious, sweet scent but we could not find a sign telling us their name.

When we returned to Cushendun, we found mom and dad and the girls had had a nice relaxing day too and also been out to tea. The weather was back to irish sunshine and warmth again so we found the girls at the village playground and headed to the beach to enjoy some last moments in our favourite place.



Beside the playground in Cushendun.

Check out this video clip of Cass on the fun playground euipment...



Being silly on the beach.

 

Playing with friend, Scottie.

Relaxed and rejuvenated.

  The next day would see us depart for Aughnacloy and our mother and nanny's family!