Well we are back at Mourne Park again – all settled in – like we’d never left! Our last week at Packolet was a mixture – busy and not so busy times. Reg worked in the garden, we shopped at the local supermarket, I baked more cakes, we “dog sat” Frodo and looked after Minnie and Tess. We also drove over to Mourne Park to keep up with the mowing etc – weather permitting of course. And that’s very unpredictable around here! We visited Cranfield Bay one evening and were nearly blown away – hoodies up, bracing ourselves against the wind, expecting a downpour any moment. And this is the middle of summer! Minnie didn’t seem to mind. Not a lot of people about so we let her off the lead for a run. So much enthusiasm, so much energy! I also spent time wandering around the Packolet gardens – really enjoyed looking at the amazing flowers, shrubs, trees and walkways. A bit of a mini Mourne Park actually. Loved the climbing roses – gorgeous against the old stone walls and the flaking paint of the gazebo. Always something new to discover.
Our Aussie friends Leigh and Julie came to stay – right at the end of our time at Packolet. They’d been on a tour of Ireland and had a couple of days to spare before flying on to London. It was lovely to see them on this side of the world. After they arrived – they only got slightly lost! – we had the obligatory tour of beautiful Mourne Park. They loved it. Then it was back to Packolet for a BBQ – Chris and Frodo joined us for the fun! More wine, more food. Lovely evening. We headed up to the Giant’s Causeway the next day – our big day out. Left around 9am and got home around 8pm. Drove straight up the centre of Northern Ireland – through Belfast, bypassing Coleraine, arriving on the north coast near Portrush. We turned right, winding our way along the coast. Found a nice cafe for a very Irish lunch – Steak and Guinness Pie – before arriving at our destination. I expected there’d be a car park area with a few steps to the beach – an information board and hopefully a loo. Maybe a few people about this time of year. Not so!! There’s a huge Giant’s Causeway Visitors Centre, sizable car park with attendants pointing the way, and an rather hefty entrance fee. Also lots and lots of people around. Still it was all worth it. The causeway is just so unusual – the photos will explain it better! Hard to believe it wasn’t man-made – so much uniformity in its structure. Rock sitting perfectly on rock. After our visit we continued along the coast road. Great drive! Checked out a few places on the way – the white rocky headland of Kinbane jutting out into the sea, an old ruin standing guard – the village of Cushendun with its amazing arched bridge, terraced houses on the foreshore, cute “old worldly” cottages lining the main street. Also stopped at numerous little “pull in” spots to take photos. Great views as we approached Glenarm – just as beautiful looking back the other way! Camera in overdrive!! We eventually completed the loop back to Belfast – one of our favourite things. Enjoy doing loops! We made it home to Packolet tired but happy – a few nibbles for tea and an early night.
We are planning a trip to Poland before our next house sit in SW France. Looking at a hire car for a week or so and then some time in Krakow. MUST resist the temptation to try and do too much – the more research I do the more I want to see!! We’ve learnt the hard way – continuous moving means exhaustion and lots of blurred memories. Better to pick a couple of areas, settle for awhile, and have a good look. Will do my best!
Love as always
Di and Reg
PS Reg and Chris were determined to have a BBQ the other night. Weather forecast was for a fine evening. The BBQ was lit, the steaks put on, the beers in hand. However, this is Northern Ireland – it poured! The guys soldiered on – sheltering under a tree, the BBQ smoking, steaks trying to cook under water! Had to take a photo!
This entry was posted in House Sits, Northern Ireland, Packolet, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom