Holiday - Northern Ireland - 31 August

On Thursday, August 31 we meet the McCarol's for brunch at this little store that had a food court in the back. One of the things I love about Northern Ireland is their love of cherry scones! I love the scones. Love. Love. Love. LOVE them! Add some jam and cream - it's amazing!

After brunch we went and said hello to Brandon at his key shop in Belfast. And just like the last time I was there, I remembered this street because of the colored doors. Ireland is known for their colored doors and this is the only time I saw them.

For lunch we went to a restaurant close to Gordon's house called Ivan Hill and then we ventured to Greencastle in County Down.  Greeencastle was built in the 13th century. Greencastle was likely built by Hugh de Lacy along with the Carlingford Castle (I went to Carlingford Castle in 2011), to guard the narrow entry channel to the Lough. The country side around the castle is what you expect to see in Ireland - 1,000's  different shades of green, crystal clear water, and puffy white clouds.

After Greencastle we had dinner with the Graham's at The Galley and then they came back to the condo for tea and cookies. As always it was a great evening and wonderful fellowship.

Holiday - Northern Ireland - August 30

And since we had a chill day on Tuesday - it was time for another day of a lot of walking...I had been to Tollymore before but this time Karen wanted to walk to it. Yeah, that sounds like a lovely idea - said Mere, never!

Oh look another forest walk. Okay, yeah it's beautiful!

This is Ireland! So many different colors of green and look at that beautiful blue sky with the fluffy clouds.

Karen found this beautiful spot within the trees - where we sat for a few minutes - just taking in the beauty.

Love these photos! No photo editing done - all from my iPhone. Ireland is just this beautiful!

I remember this giant rock and I still think it is amazing that it is out there for everyone to see.

 "STOP Look around and Praise the name of HIM who made it all!"

This rock is famous in Game of Thrones. Famous for what? We don't know. But it was fun to venture out onto it, while trying to not get wet.

Tollymore Forest Park was the first state park in Northern Ireland, established in June of 1955. Tollymore is about 1,600 acres. The Shimma River flows through the park and there are 16 bridges that cross over it with the earliest one dating back to 1726.

After we did our walk, including doing some of the Games of Thrones walk (why? I don't know - maybe cause it's what the cool kids are doing in Northern Ireland right now :)). Ivor and Kay meet us and we walked around Tollymore with them. They are such a fantastic couple. I am thankful to have known them the majority of my life. They are family to me.

This is a crazy large lily pad!

After our walk we went back to the condo. Karen and I stopped into Maud's for the chicken pot pie and chips then we took a nap. That evening Ivor and Kay had dinner with an old college friend of Kay's who is now a Catholic priest. Karen and I went back to Mauds and had dinner of Nutella and banana crepes. Then we walked the promenade. The Priest came back to the condo where we enjoyed a lovely chat with our tea, coffee and treats.