Assorted musings about our month of canadian company

I am sure that even the most devoted of friends will not attempt to read all these musings but I wanted to write down our activities so they will not be lost from our memories. March 26-28 we had a friend from Caronport come for a visit with her daughter who is studying in England. The first day we rented a car and went up to see the Giant's Causeway, Dunluce Castle, a walk on White park Bay and went home via the Glens of Atrium and the coastal drive. We stopped for tea at our mutual friends in Broughshane. The next day we explored the Cathedrals in Armagh and went home by the Mourne Mtns. April 4-6 our neighbour from Caronport and a fellow student she was studying with in Germany included us in their world-wind tour of Europe. We tried out public transport and spent the day on trains and buses exploring Londonderry, Giant's Causeway, Port Rush strand and Coleraine rose gardens. The next day it was biking on the Lagan Tow path. That weekend was Easter and we had 11 people over for Sunday dinner - we even had an egg hunt in the back garden along with bird whistling. On April 12 my sister Marilyn arrived - we initated her with a 80 minute round trip walk to Lisburn and an extensive visit of Parkside care Home - she almost met every resident. I hate to admit that one grandma thought that she was my daughter which was impossible because Marilyn is 14 months older than me! The next day we went to Hilden Brewery and had a traditional Irish meal by the fireside in an old Linen baron's estate. We picked up the rental car and went for a ride to see Armagh and went south to Monaghan which is in The Republic of Ireland. We had a coastal drive and ended up at Newcastle to have a late picnic on the shore viewing the Mourne Mountains. Marilyn thought that the weather was not really ideal for the picnic and we ate quickly and rushed back to the car to defrost. April 14th we had a private tour of Hillsbourgh Castle - the Queen's official residence in Ireland. We got to sit on the throne and Marilyn inherited a piece of Tyrone crystal with the Hillsbourgh design on it. That afternoon we went up to Londonderry and dear old Donnegal! What a drive - Dunfanaghy, Horn Head, Sheephaven and the Atlantic drive. The countryside was very rugged and beautiful and the road dangerous! We slept overnight in Port Rush at a friend's summer house. The next day we went to Dunluce castle, Bushmills, Giant's causeway and walked on the strand and saw a sunset. the next day we drove back the scenic route and stopped at our friends in Broughshane for tea. April 16-18 Marilyn and Gwen went to Paris - Paris in the spring - the weather was amazing! We saw all the tourist things - Louve, Eiffel Tower, Arch D'Triumph, Notre Dame, Champ Elysee, and the modern Grand Arc where we went on a tower to view the city. Marilyn enjoyed here shopping - we had numerous meals at outdoor cafes and enjoyed the wonderful orchestras and performers in the Metro. April 19 - we relaxed(sort of) and went into Lisburn to shop - Marilyn was surprised to find that we didn't have to walk into Lisburn and that we could practically get there from our doorstep to the main street via public transportation! it was the only time I've ever had a round trip bus ride to Lisburn. Marilyn loved the charity shops! That evening we spent out on IslandMagee at a very old (1630 country Presbyterian church were our friend Karen Campbell was ordained - we got on the bus at 5:30 pm and didn't get home till after midnight. The service was wonderful- the music amazing and the food the best church supper I've had In Northern Ireland - served in the pew on Royal Doulton china. April 20th - picked up the car rental and took Marilyn to airport for her trip back to Canada. No time to rest - my brother Dan and his wife Viola arrived the next morning at 7 am. We picked them up and came home for scones and tea - they had a short nap and we were off to Hillsbourgh and walked around the lake and explored the old fort, we went out to the country and walked up the backside of Slieve Croob from which you can see the Irish sea and the Mourne Mtns. We drove around the country taking in the lush green landscape and stopped to see Legananny Dolman on the way home. April 22 - we went to our local Presbyterian church in the morning and then went down to Armagh and went to the RC Catherdral and heard a wonderful international choir recital. It was our 29th wedding anniversary so we celebrated as usual with a picnic in the Mall-greens in Armagh. The only rainy day in the whole month of Canadian visitors was April 23 - we drove to Londonderry and up to Donnegal on the coastal road up to Malin Head - we stopped at the northern most Pub in Ireland - very small and full of entertaining locals - all 5 of them! Dan said that it was the smallest pub he had ever seen. We talked to one of the men who was a fisherman and he told us that we could buy fresh lobster and crab from the local fisheries co-op. We came home via the Magilligan ferry with live seafood in our boot! We stopped for a walk on the Benone Strand and then had a feast of seafood fit for a king! We stayed over night at our friend's summer home in PortRush. April 24 - we went to Dunluce castle, Bushmills, and a long walk on the top of the Giant's Causeway. We came home for a meal and then headed out and walked from Dunseverick Castle remains into sheep pastures and down to the coast to a tiny coastal village where we saw a group of seals and walked on the rocky coast till we came to White Park Bay. Dan was still in the mood for walking so Randy, Vi and Dan walked to the Carrickarade Rope Bridge - I stayed in the car which turned out to be a brilland idea because just as they got over to the island it poured buckets and they had a 25 minute walk back. We have pictures of them pouring water out of their runners and squeezing water out of there soaked apparel! Straight home for the soaked rats - well actually we drove through the Glens of Atrium past the Vanishing lake but it was so foggy that we were happy to be able to see the road! April 25 - We borrowed bikes and Dan and Viola had an adventure biking into Belfast on the tow path - they even made a visit to to Irish centre on Falls road. April 26 we went once again to the Downpatrick, Strangford, and then the coastal road down to Newcastle - we stopped at Ardglass and bought fresh cod which we cooked at our friend's summer home in Newcastle. Dan and Viola took a break and went off by themselves for a couple days to explore the Mourne Mtns and climb Slieve Donard and stay at our friends summer home - so thankful for generous friends! April 27 th was a special day - my best childhood friend came for a visit with her husband. I was so thrilled to spend the day with them and so thankful that we didn't scare them off with all the company we have had. April 28th - we picked up a friend I worked with back in Canada and a friend from Shellbrook. We had a tour of Parkside care home, went Biking on the Tow path and spent the afternoon at a fun fair in Lady Dickson Park known for it's beautiful gardens. The flowers were amazing. Dan and Vi came home and we went out to Portadown to have a meal with friends. Got up and made scones and served tea on my china dishes and it was off for Dan, Vi and Gwen to explore the south and find family! Randy stayed home to get caught up on his studies - the problem was that I had left Cathy and Laurie because they were staying for a couple more days - the short story is that Randy rented a car and gave up studies for chauffeur duties. April 29 - we went to Dublin, Gendalough, New Grange and arrived in New Ross, Wexford that evening. We went out for a late supper at the Brandon Hill Hotel - it was fun for us because our father was born in Brandon Hills Manitoba Canada! We stayed at a great country hostel - the road there was rough and narrow. The hostel was a converted chicken coop - it was terrific. When I looked out my window the next morning at 4:30 am there was a sheep around 3 feet from my window - bleating for my attention. That day we visited with our father's cousin's son - Bobbie and his wife Julie. Dan had met Bobbie 36 years ago when he was in Ireland touring on his motorcycle after completing his university. Lovely to met family - in the evening we went to met their son and his wife and their little boy. During the day we saw Dunbrody Abbey, drove by JFK memorial more than a few times, and went off to the Hook head and saw the world's oldest operating lighthouse. on our way home we stopped at a port were there was a fishing trolley coming in with it's week's catch. I asked if I could buy some fish and they gave me a big cod and a whiting fish which I passed on to our relatives to enjoy! May 1 we walked the tow path by Brandon Hill and then went to Rock of Cashel and Hore Abbey .We were able to see where our great grandparents (Waylands) were buried in White Church. We met up with a relative John Fryday he took us to Dundrum to see where the Frydays were buried. When we were talking he mentioned that he remembered visiting in Winnipeg when he was young - he said Jack and Mae Fryday - guess what I also remember visiting them when I was young! I was able to see where my grandma Prowse grew up. The place that we stayed in Cashel was wonderful - we had a lovely homemade meal and also made a dessert to share when our relatives John and Sheila came for a visit. The next day we looked around Tipperary in the morning and then went to John and Sheila's for a wonderful roast ham and chicken feast. It was so nice to meet one of their daughters and granddaughters. John and Sheila had 15 children! Sheila sent home some fresh rhubarb from her garden and we got in the car and drove straight home to Lisburn without even a pit stop. ( Around 5 hour drive) Yes it's a long way to Tipperary! May 3 - Dan and Viola left to go to Germany and I had a long sleep - thankful for all the opportunities and adventures this last month had given me.