Day 1 A Giant step for man...and woman..Armagh goodness, now where are we going?

So having rolled off the ferry, onward we went, northwards. The coastline scenery was beautiful and the roads meandered down through small towns and up gentle gradients clothed in various shades of green. I now know why this is name "The Emerald Isle". S had already asked me what my geology knowledge was like, which lead to our theory that the Giant's Causeway was on the agenda. We were proved right despite the fact that I had thought them to be off the North West coast and therefore miles away....(D rolled his eyes at this point) We almost had the Causeway to ourselves which meant we could clamber up and down the stones without having to dodge the hoards. The sky was totally clear of clouds, gorse in abundant yellow and the sea a deep azure blue, we couldn't have planned it better, or rather S. couldn't! We finished it off with a delicious meal at the nearby hotel and then S informed us that we needed to move on "as we still had quite a way to go."




An hour and a half later (on a faster road), most of which I slept through, oh the joy of being chaffeur driven like royalty, we arrived in Armagh at the Youth Hostel. It was 10pm and we had been awake since 3am. We had a room for 6 to ourselves and an almost empty Hostel! Tomorrow we explore and have a quieter day says he who knows and won't tell.....

Day 1 Away with the ferries!

Well the intrepid party left Yeovil at 04.08 and having let the chickens out, had a small breakfast, making sure my fluid intake was minimal after previous experiences where S likes to get in the car and GO for hours on end, leaving me wanting to "GO" for hours on end! We made our first stop at Gretna Green....(I rest my case...)

It was obvious that time was an important factor as we had a 10 minute stop which included a loo break, petrol refill and a coffee grabbed to take away! S kept his tension well hidden, we were oblivious to the fact that a ferry was booked. However having taken the Stranraer directions, it soon became clear we were heading for a ferry. We reached the check in at 11.30 exactly which was the boarding time on the ticket....S was relief personified!

I am now sitting on a huge Stena Lines ferry, complete with hen party on board, some dressed as leprachauns and, having missed the Captains announcement whilst queuing for lunch, am making a guess at Ireland being the destination today! The crossing is 2 hours long and there is free WiFi!! I can see "the Emerald Isle" in the distance and have taken my "Joy Rides"!

S says he forgot to remind us to pack a plug adapter.....does Ireland have a different voltage?

P has gone to look at the shop as S has made the error (in his tired state) of given her the information that there are reduced handbags for sale.n....I can only think of whether they have plug adapters!

The journey so far, between sleeps, has consisted of newborn lambs and beautiful countryside as we have ventured further North. I get the impression "I aint seen nothing yet!" As I write, the sun is glistening off the water and the sea is various colours of blue and green stretching out into the distance. A TV opposite is debating the results of last night....that's certainly going to continue for some time yet....

I am determined to embrace every moment of our time away, whatever each day holds. I know I will be able to stop and look, listen and learn.

Load a photo is taking ages, so I am abandoning the idea, perhaps another time!

We've only just begun!

To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive?

So..it begins! Last night a message was stuck to the front door it read as follows:


TAKEN (but not stirred)


You are to report to the P****'s drive for 4am Friday

Bring... yourselves plus

Photo documentation (Passport, photo driving licence etc)

One small suitcase (suggest not to exceed 23kg, but not critcal).

One piece of hand luggage (small rucksack/backpack suggested).

Spare pair of shoes.

Please pack clothes suitable for these conditions:

Typical for month...

Record high 23.6 C (74 F)
Average high 13.8 C (57 F)
Daily mean 10.2 C (50 F)
Average Low 6.5 C (44 F)
Record Low -0.9 C (30 F)

Precipitation mm 83.4 (3.28 inches)
Sunshine hours 180.60
% Humidity 81
Avg precipitation days 16

5 CDs per person allocation for CD autochanger.
As there may be a fiord involved here, travel medicine is advisable.

So tomorrow, dh and I plus S and P will leave Yeovil for 10 days for an adventure known only to S, hence the packing instructions! This is now the third time we have "boldly gone" some would describe it differently(!) with the eccentric explorer (whom we love dearly, no really we do!) to places unknown with a "Celtic Christianity theme" attached. We all have our theories as to various destinations that will be visited and much interest has been building over the last fortnight from many of you so that it seems good to bring you along to share the ups and downs, fears and excitements, plus few idiosyncracies that might make you smile! I have my camera, my dongle, my phone and enough leads for recharging and connecting various bits to various bits to tie myself up in knots...

So any ideas where we might be going?!!!!

Gentle pace Saturday

I love Saturdays where the day just unfolds at a gentle pace! Having spent the morning accompanying friends to choose their first chickens and then watching the latter explore their new home, we returned home for lunch and "garden plans".

Our chickens are now all geriatric but all bar one (Hattie) are still laying most days! Mabel now has the Acropolis all to herself and is living in luxury.

Dolly and Gert (in the foreground) not convinced about the camera!


The Cacti were planted out individually having been grown from seed and advised "not to transplant them for a year". D counted 18 definites, quite excited by them as they are a mix and we're not exactly sure how they will look. We're hoping that some will have flowers at soem point! We bought the seeds at the The Smallholders Show in Builth Wells last May. This year we will be on our "Mystery Tour" so maybe next year...

You will also see my Basil basilling...any one wants one, gimme a shout!



D has given the bay tree a "haircut"....again if you want some bay leaves, come and grab them, I have a HUGE pile of branches in the front garden!

The rhubarb crown we bought last year(?) is paying it's rent! We have placed this one in a different position and for the first time have decent crops....so exciting!!!


Okay guys, this is my Slimming World 1 SYN per portion pudding all ready for tomorrow's barbeque with friends....somehow I don't think eating outside will be happening.... The dessert gets great reviews by punters who are obviously impressed, so I'll take my chance. It is SO easy and I am getting to grips with fromage frais (low fat!) It is a blueberry clafouti., well cherry really, but you can choose your fruit. Both the blueberries and the eggs were homegrown so nice feeling...Apparently you eat it cold. Anyway here's the recipe..in faith, you understand!!!

Ingredients:

4 eggs
6-7 Tablespoons (tbsp) artificial sweetener
1 tsp almond essence
1 tsp vanilla essence
500g v low fat fromage frais
400g blueberries (or whatever!)

Preheat oven to Gas 2 , 150 C

Mix everything together except the fruit.

Put fruit in base of large flan dish
Pour over mixture

Bake for 1 hour (mine took an extra 10 minutes)

Allow to cool
Slice



Next was the turn of the mint. Am determined to get organised with this and have our own mint sauce supplies all year!


"drum roll"


I took a photo of the Marjoram hanging up to dry on our kitchen cupboard handles, but it was out of focus so I deleted it..another time!

I have planted "Cut and come again" lettuce and rocket in a car tyre as an experment. We have a few tyres that were left over from last years failed attempt at growing potatoes in them! We have one growing strawberries too. I will get some photos of them at some point. Apparently, you are supposed to line the inside bit so that the rubber doesn't leach out....the thought of "rubbery strawberries" isn't that appetising. It's a bit like lining a cake tin around the sides!
We still have two more tyres, one will grow courgettes, the other has not been decided. Good old Eden Motors...BMW tyres are bigger and better, so they say!!!

Well, the chickens are in bed and I will soon be wending my way upwards!
I still have my "Going with the Flow" 3 month update to write, so will need to get on with that soon...that one needs a bit more thought.

and finally.... a hearty soup made from scratch with everything chucked in (Samar are you reading this?!) Hopefully, in a few months it will be our own veg and even better, it gets an affirming nod from Slimming World. Today I have had to be careful as last night we went out with friends and I had the most delicious ice creams...Couldn't choose healthy as it was a set menu....what a shame! Weigh day is Wednesday and having lost a few pounds last week, I'm keen to repeat the same! The holiday week will be the challenge....


Now I am really signing off, night all!

Ladies who lunch -Wells

You know how easy it is for the days to pick up speed and before you know it, all your good intentions of being with mates and catching up with each other's lives, just seem to never happen...well, after this happened a few times, measures needed to be taken....So, now most months I meet up with a friend, having decided in advance (sometimes " in advance" is only descriptive by the skin of it's teeth!) We try and leave Yeovil at some point in the morning, find a town, do some exploring, have some lunch, do some more wandering around, find a tea shop, all the while chatting and thinking our own little thoughts! At about 5 we head for home feeling all pleased with ourselves! I recommend it heartily!

April's explore was Wells, the smallest city in England!


The writing on the wall


L with the map, so where shall we go, the long walk or the short one....





The Cathedral from without! I loved the frontals inside, the cloths displaying different images of the Christian festivals throughout the year. The Lenten one (?)with the Crown of Thorns was particularly evocative. There was also a round room where all the Prebendaries sat on stone ledges in a circle with the names of their areas of responsibilities written above their heads and made the church decisions of the day ...a little Lord of the Rings ish!

I need to talk to some of my Anglican friends about Cathedral designs sometime...so many questions!!!


I didn't expect to see these in the city by the moat behind the Bishop's Palace...

Go Mary!!!!
Flippin' heck Mary!!!!
)
And now for lunch, definitely a good choice! Food delicious and very good value, highly recommended.

Vicar's Row, originally for the choir....not a satellite dish in sight!


A brilliant little holiday home/retreat...

complete with idiot dog who chased my shadow until he found some children to entertain with his jumping!


Photographing doors/gates keeps me happy!


and door knockers....


The famous chiming Cathedral clock from outside, but you need to go and see it from inside too.


One of areas where you can find springs, which made Wells so popular originally.


Ye olde, closed by the time we walked past, sweet shoppe.


Where to in June? Maybe Bath...but before that will come the 10 day Magical mystery tour of May. Watch this space as I plan to blog daily on the adventure as it unfolds! But first I need to get me informed on all things dongle.....oh, I love my little Netbook :)