The Return

We left chilly Wesham on Saturday 4th to drive to Stranraer to catch the ferry. We had been weather watching all week and I had ordered that the north sea be like a mill pond. I am a lot more influential than I thought with Poseidon as he granted us our wish. The drive to Stranraer was lovely, I was moving to Dumfries and Galloway every 500 yards (you will be pleased to know that won't you, Bec and Si). Stranraer itself was a pretty town, the bit we saw anyway. We drove to the ferry terminal and handed over our Premium ticket (once again himself had done the right thing and got us first class). Our Premium ticket meant that we drove on first, drove off first and didnt have to sit with common people. The boat, ship or whatever was very like a 5 star hotel, I was much impressed. As we bobbed ever so gently along I read my papers, drank tea, ate mince pies, took a little stroll and then fell asleep. Never good falling asleep next to someone with a mobile phone, the photo will not be reproduced on this site. Ten minutes to landing and we were advised that we could return to our vehicles, which we did. Landing came in the shape of a gentle bump against the side of Belfast City and within minutes we were off!! I was sooo impressed, the organisation by both the Scots and the Irish was outstanding. Simon, once Bec has experienced the joy of Premium travel on a a floating vehicle, air travel could be a thing of the past in the Turner/Edsforth home, you have been warned. Within 30minutes we were back in our freezing house which hadn't experienced the warming effect of a radiator for the 3 weeks we had been away. I put the heating on, got back in the car and went to the pub. As we had the car we were very excited so we went to a pub in the next village, instead of our usual. Someone had to drive obviously, but the excitement off having wheels overcame my desire for alcohol.

Montreaux

We returned home for the festive period but managed a trip to the Christmas Market in Montreaux with our lovely friends Lynda and Allan. They arrived at the airport with minutes to spare before the check in gate closed Lynda clutching a Christmas Tree? (which was immediately taken off her as it wouldn't fit in the hand luggage thingy that they have to measure your hand luggage). Allan clutching a bag full of tissues as he had a heavy cold. On arrival at the flat in Montreaux Al went to bed and we went out to eat and drink, we didn't want to be near him and his germs. As the week progressed he got no better so me Mick and Lynda partied without him. There was no point spoiling our week as well, also, as we all know girls, men get flu we get colds, so he was safer with me out of his way, those of you who know me well know, I am a loss to the nursing profession :-) (Any comments received regarding my nursing skills will not be printed, those of you that live or have lived with me and are still alive, just be thankful). We also went to a Michelin starred restaurant which was very different. You just decided how much you wanted to spend and then the chef decided what you were having to eat!! Actually it was good if not a bit weird. We did give the chef a list of stuff we didn't eat. For those of you who are asking how much? £100 a head including wine, but at least when I am old and demented I will be able to tell my great grandchildren that we did it, including eating venison tartare. Some may question the wisdom of going to a hugely expensive restaurant accompanied by the most expensive woman we know with the pound/swiss franc exchange rate at its lowest ever in 50 years, however....



Picture of said restaurant plus cold man digging the car out of the snow and then me at the little train station over the road from the flat.





So, snotty Al went back home on Wednesday and me and My Honey went off to Geneva. Montreaux had lots of snow which was a bit early but a welcome surprise and Geneva was snowless. We had a couple of nice days aided by the Swiss version of Night Nurse as Allan had managed to pass his germs on to me, I never kissed him once so was a bit miffed. Anyway as it was Swiss Night Nurse and cost £14!! I expected miracles but received none. It was useless and was like drinking petrol. Anyway as I am famous for being a hob nob biscuit (Peter Kay, dunking biscuits in tea sketch) I soldiered on bravely, unlike some. On this visit to Geneva I saw the Jet de L'eau which I hadn't seen from the ground before.

Every time I have been to Geneva in the past they have switched it off?? I was very pleased that they had chosen to switch it on for me this visit.

The Late Return

After an unscheduled extended visit home courtesy of an abscess on my tooth which is now no more thankfully, we returned to the Emerald Isle. Our first weekend back has been quite a busy time. Friday we went into Belfast to eat our way round the Christmas Market.

Saturday was a visit to Armagh City. Armagh is the religious capital of NI and boasts two Cathedrals both called St Patrick's just to make sure you don't get confused, one for the Proddys and one for the Rice Crispies.

Saturday night was a visit to Clenaghans restaurant up the road http://www.clenaghans.com/ Sunday was very interesting, we nipped into Lisburn to find a gym for us to frequent after Christmas then went to explore Malone, an area just outside Belfast. Malone is full of massive victorian houses so a walk round the area was most interesting. Then we walked down onto the trendy Lisburn Road for a late breakfast (after all we had visited the gym!) Our Lisburn Road favourite is Beanies currently. We have various favourites relating to food, for example our coffee haunt in Belfast is Equinox http://www.equinoxshop.com/ this if a fabulous shop which sells lovely things and has a wonderful cafe hidden at the back. Our lunch venue is Avoca http://www.avoca.com/ For cocktails we like to go to The Merchants Hotel in Belfast http://www.themerchanthotel.com/.

Later in the week we went a walk into our local park.

I expect you will all be downloading these pictures and popping them on your mantlepieces won't you?

On Tuesday we ambled round the streets to judge the Chrissy decorations. There is not as much decorating of rooftops goes on over here and surprisingly few Christmas trees on display?? After the disappointment of having nothing to judge we nipped into the local for a small sherry where I met many inebriated Irishmen all of whom wanted to kiss me? Because My Honey is the shy retiring type who doesn't talk about me they didn't really believe I existed so to see me in the flesh was a real joy to them.

The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum

On Saturday we decided to visit the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum just outside Belfast. It's an outdoor museum telling the story of life in NI in the early 20th century. First we went to the tea shop for breakfast and a planning meeting, as the museum is set in 170 acres planning was important. The first part of the museum is the town centre with loads of cottages, shops and, surprise surprise, churches to go in. As the museum wasn't very busy, roped areas were climbed over, pulpits trespassed and motorbikes climbed upon. It was great fun.









Then after another trip to the tea shop we trekked out into the pretend countryside and visited, farms, farm workers cottages, a watermill, oh yes and more churches.




After the Folk Museum we went to the accompanying Transport Museum. As luck would have it this particular Saturday was model railway day! Mick was beside himself with excitement. The car park was packed, we nearly didn't get in. On arrival we stood on a raised walkway and looked down onto giant steam trains which were very impressive. Then we went down onto the shop floor to visit the various model railways which had been set up by very enthusiastic model railway anoraks. Model railway exhibitors had travelled from America to show off their trains.




From a girls point of view I felt that not enough effort had been put into the scenery on these railways, too much emphasis was on the trains. Asthetically speaking I was disappointed. For example the man who set up the Blackpool tram stand (I know, it's not a train, I have no idea how he got in) well he had a straight stretch of Blackpool prom with identical houses along the prom?? No hotels or anything, zero for effort I am afraid. The model train operators (who I am thinking probably don't have girlfriends) had huge boards with buttons and bows and allsorts on to "drive" their trains (or trams). Realistically they can only go forwards and backwards, that's two buttons needed.


We then went into Belfast for tea at Avoca which is a fabby restaurant, up market gifts and clothes (clothes way too expensive, even for me) and high class food and goodies, all singing and dancing really. Then we came home and watched Atonement which is highly recommended. Even if you dont like Keira Knightly.



On Sunday we were going go to Armagh City but changed our minds as the weather was still lovely. Instead we walked from Lisburn to Belfast along a tow path which was about 14 miles if you ask me or 11 miles if you ask Turnip. Sat on a bench and ate our butties which we shared with the ducks. Once in Belfast we got the train back to Lisburn as we were beginning to show our age with creaking joints. Anyway we felt we deserved a bottle of wine and big helping of shepherds pie for tea.

Life bobs along

Afternoon friends. I think I am just about getting the hang of this blogging although, I do have to contact the Salford Helpline quite a bit. It is however one of the best helplines I have used, I get an immediate response from well trained professionals who enjoy providing good customer service, (and also know how impatient I am regarding these matters). This weekend they have offered me a short training course which I will of course accept, firstly because it is free and secondly, I hope to learn how to reply to questions I have received via the comments option (hang on in there Mags)


Today the domestic goddess has made sausage casserole which is rather tasty. I do realise that walking into the off licence and buying wine at 11am doesn't look good, on reflection, I think it was when I went into explanation mode that I made it worse. I bet every gin soaked housewife says "I need it for my cooking".


Yesterday we had a chair delivered. For those of us with short legs, sitting on leather settees isn't a problem, for those with slightly longer legs it means he spends most of the evening, fidgeting endlessly, moving from one settee to the other (I don't know, they are both exactly the same) and ending the night sliding unceremoniously onto the floor. A real mans chair was needed. It's totally the wrong colour but beggars can't be choosers and throws are such useful additions to any lounge I always find.

Famous Five (minus 3) travel further afield

Hello again readers. Yesterday (Sunday) we were up and out by 8.55am and travelled to Port Stewart up on the north coast. Port Stewart is another seaside town which isn't as pretty as Newcastle but it did have coffee shops open on a Sunday! (Unheard of over here, the only places that open on Sunday are churches and pubs). So we duly partook of sweet goodies and then walked up onto the hill to view the scenery. Next stop was Bushmills Distillery where 6 million bottles of Irish whiskey are produced each year, soon to be 12 million.









Then on to Portrush which had been described by one of our Irish friends as a "tatty wee place", it live up to its reputation so we kept driving. Next, the Giants Causeway, a polygonal basalt rock formation which is a result of a massive subterranean explosion 60 million years ago. A mass of molten basalt was spewed out onto the surface which on cooling solidified into what are actually crystals (but to me and you look like rocks) these crystals/rocks are all nicely shaped hexagons and pentagons, which is very handy for walking on, although it was surprising the number of women that turned up wearing high heeled stilleto boots? Its actually hard to believe that the formation is natural it looks so tidy. The coastline along the causeway is spectacular and we went for a bit of a hike, in our sturdy timberland shoes. We will be awarded many brownie points by the National Trust for our footwear.








Next stop was the rope bridge at Carrick-a-rede Island which is a very wobbly bridge that has been erected from the mainland to the island. I think its just a way of the National Trust getting money out of tourists that want to be photographed walking over it, see action man below.









Unfortunately, I wasn't able to go across it as I had to stay on terra firma to take pictures and videos. But it was ok, it was a sacrifice I was prepared to make.

Top of the morning to you

Here we are on our Gap Year with a difference, we stay in one country and don't share rooms in a hostel with fifteen Australians. We have found a bijou love nest in a rather nice town, a bit like Lytham except that there is the odd resident under eighty.

I have turned into a 1950s housewife, I devote my days to domestic goddess type duties in a kitchen the size of a postage stamp. At about 5pm I apply a light dusting of make up and put a ribbon in my hair to await the arrival of the man of the house. When he gets in I try not to bore him with trivialities about my day I take an active interest in what he has to say and then put my floral pinny on and quietly serve him something award winning for tea. (yeah) In reality, we live in a small house over here and there is nowhere for him to get away from me! Ha.

My kitchen

Last weekend we went to Belfast for two nights as Alan and Sue had come over. We had a splendid time and an amount of guinness was drunk, not by me, my bladder couldnt have coped with a pint of guinness (or a pint of anything come to think of it) I had a sweet sherry. On Saturday we went on the bus tour which was really good, and brave souls that we are we went upstairs on the open top bus. After that more guinness and another sweet sherry. On Saturday night we went to Paul Rankin's restaurant Roscoffs Brasserie which was rather yummy. After that more guinness and another sweet sherry. We forgot about the clocks going back so were up quite early on the Sunday, whereas Sue and Alan remembered and had a lie in.

Today which is 1 November and The Irish Rovers hired a car. We set off in our trusty Ford Fiesta to Castlewallan and partook in the local soda bread, bacon and sausage butty. It is now 6.10pm and we are still not hungry.

Castlewallan is very pretty and has a country park which we walked round to try and work off the soda bread butty. Piccy of me in the country park. The other piccy is of Just William tree climbing.

We than travelled further afield to Newcastle, a seaside town, nothing like the Newcastle we know! It is very pretty.



Me at the seaside The promenade at Newcastle