Friday 27 June 2014

My Beautiful N. Ireland

Well, would you Adam and Eve it? This here post, the one you are reading right now is my 777th! That's a bit of happy trivia for you on this fine day. Wow....I don't know if it makes me feel old or just proud that I'm still ticking along. Haha.

So I was exhausted yesterday (I'd walked over to the fabric shop and back and it was super scary and a really big deal) and took a while just lying with my phone, looking through the photos on it and listening to music. From there decided that I wanted to show you some of my beautiful country; photos taken whilst on our staycation, snapshots from the phone. I really couldn't run and play and chase Maggie whilst carrying my 'big camera' ;)

*** We had a great day 'up the coast', one the world's most beautiful drives through the Glens and Causeway coast. The first stop was Carrick-a-rede rope bridge which Andrew had never been to before! The views from there are amazing - these two photos on the left were taken from the mainland, looking at the wee island only accessible by the rope bridge and in the distance is Rathlin Island.

Next we went to the Giant's Causeway but any child brought up here will have been to this site sooo many times that I literally only took this photo of a tiny thing in the gift shop. I have no idea what purpose it was meant to have, so small and not even heavy enough to act as a paperweight, uummm.

Lastly (after a delicious dinner in the Causeway Hotel) we visited White Rocks beach...Maggie loves a good beach. And this one is as clean as you could ever wish for :)

*** We had an evening in Belfast at some super fabulous bars and beer gardens with a glorious dinner in a fancy new restaurant but it was our 9th Anniversary and some things are sacred; so though I have many photos...they are staying relatively private, though there are a few on Instagram :)

*** Our week long heat wave drove us out into the back garden to do very little other than read, listen to music and for me - sew :) I have re-opened my Etsy shop online and lots of new photographic cards and felt birds have been going up recently, it feels so good to be back in action.


*** This is the height of my allotment adventures.....
.....blasted hayfever! I mean really, look at that weather but only now am I truly medicated to the hilt and able to cope with the weeds and flower pollen. Anywho, Andrew was able to go and some maintenance has been done and our first harvest (other than just rhubarb) came in last week ~ roses, lettuces, broad beans and potatoes. Plus we have been able to give some away to family :) I shall be there again soon and then hurrah! this blog will get back to business.

*** This is the most recent day out to Belfast's Botanic Gardens - we love it there. Right in between Queen's University (where we both studied) and the Ulster Museum...

So I hope you liked this pictorial catch up of sorts, personally I think it's much better than photos from a holiday resort on the Island of Rhodes where we were meant to be going. I love my home country; despite it's political problems, it's one of the most beautiful places I know.

Hugs and happy weekend!
Carrie xxx

12 comments:

  1. After years of holidaying in mainland Europe and having seen more of France than our home country we are now sticking to the UK, You often take for granted what is on your own doorstep.

    Are you like me rope bridges and me don't sit happily together. MY what if mentality kicks in! Congatulations on the anniversary - ours is 39th this August. How did that happen?

    Was Maggie allowed into the restaurant to celebrate with mum and dad?

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    1. I know exactly what you mean! We seem to have this feeling that a holiday equals leaving for another country when our own is just as beautiful. I have a real respect for staycation-ing. Even our honeymoon started in Belfast for 2 nights and after Spain, we came home visited Rathlin Island :)
      I love rope bridges!
      Happy belated Anniversary to you too x
      Maggie was sadly not allowed into the restaurant; I love that about Scotland and England - the dogs in pubs, it doesn't happen here.

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  2. I love NI, especially that part of the coast, just beautiful. The waters are so clear, shame so cold!! Love the pics, they look fab. Brill news about the harvest, I have had my 1st lettuce a few weeks back, but had 1st peas & courgette this week.

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    1. J, thank you for your comment! I may be biased but yep, the Antrim coast road is stunning! It's not always that cold, haha.
      I love real lettuce - it has a depth of flavour that you simply can't find in a supermarket version :)
      We have loads of peas but wow, courgettes already - wow!

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  3. A lovely post and terrific photos. Sadly it's a place that I've never been to.
    Happy anniversary. Flighty xx

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    1. Thanks Mike. It's never to late to visit my beautiful home :) xxx

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  4. Sweetie ! belated Happy Anniversary !! and of course also on your 777 post (very lucky and a wonderful post with gorgeous pictures) .. N. Ireland shots look like Cape Breton Island where both husband and I were born .. funny enough we are a university city here in Kingston and it's name is "Queens" now how strange is that ? ... I am so glad you feel up to doing more with your Etsy shop .. you are so talented and creative : ) .. Love the "bounty" of the allotment : ) wish I could share.
    Good news from my herbs is that we have lots of Black Swallowtail butterfly caterpillars on them getting bigger every day .. so we are doing our thing to stoke the area up with more butterflies !
    Enjoy your quiet times sweetie ... I know they help me : )

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    1. Joy, it is such a virtual hug to hear from you! I'll write soon xxx

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  5. not sure which is more elegant, Maggie's 'do or your teal shoes!

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  6. Goodness, it's hard to stop looking at those gorgeous photos. You've taken in some beautiful scenes and saved it to share with us. That beach. **sigh** What a lovely way to celebrate an anniversary.

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    1. I seem to do some of my best photography when I'm up there - I guess it just gets the creative juices flowing. Thank you for your kind words xxx

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