Our last real day in Northern Ireland-Sunday, July 29th

Sometimes I just fall in love with places.  Early on in my travels there was Berne for no apparent reason (though the ice cream sundaes were delicious).  I love New York, Chicago (not the airport) and of course, Paris.  I was so taken with St. John's two years ago I was practically ready to move there.  I fell in love with Vancouver 41 years ago and I did eventually move here.  And then there is Montreal, and Stowe, Vermont etc. etc.  I loved Shanghai long ago. With India it was a bit of a love hate relationships but there was much to love.  This trip I liked Pamplona as soon as we arrived.  But I think we all felt really sad to realize it was our last day in Northern Ireland. 
The morning was spent reorganizing and packing and starting to clean up Eagry Cottage
I have given you this link as if you are ever contemplating a place to stay in Northern Ireland I recommend this place without hesitation. Etta, the owner, was just a wonderful landlady, who was so helpful and a gracious. We loved our week here, and it was such a perfect location for exploring this area. One of her final recommendations was The Red Door Tea Room in Ballintoy Harbour. And that is where we had a delightful lunch.











Then we explored the nearby cemetery where Patricia found a few possible relatives.





Now this is a cemetery with a wonderful view.


We drove back to Bushmills and I decided to get out "downtown" and walk "home" in hopes of a bit last minute shopping, having determined there was still room in my suitcase. Here are a few more of the faux store fronts.














The two gift shops I had really wanted to be open we're not but I got an Elizabeth George mystery,for two pounds, I hadn't read, for my journey home in the well stocked second-hand bookstore and antique shop.

Bushmills Distillery was open so I had a good "shop" in their gift shop and had a chance to take a few pictures (I think my battery was dead when Sue and I did the tour.)











Now do you think I resisted this apron or not?


I would definitely miss this interesting town that in a week had become very familiar and dear to us.


After a dinner of Scottish Chinese take out (quite good) we went to bed early in anticipation of a very early morning departure.

After breakfast and the final clean up we were actually on the road on schedule miraculously at 5:45 a.m. and 28 hours Sue and I reached Vancouver! We left Irene to explore Ireland some more and Patricia hopefully reached Collingwood a few hours earlier.

It was a great trip and it was actually fun to write about it on this blog. I am actually doing this post on the iPad and I am once again able to post pictures after a consultation online. Blogpost is a very handy application and the trip made me truly appreciative of my iPad. I love my Mac Pro but the nice small size of the ipad and all its other features were great for traveling.

Many thanks to my great companions, especially to Sue who got us all organized. And thanks again to you for traveling with us. May you enjoy your future journeys as much as we did this one.

Location:W 21st Ave,Vancouver,Canada

Belleek, Saturday, July 28th

This is the post that I have had difficulty posting the picture on my ipad so now I am trying on my computer.  This was Sue's third trip to Ireland and she was determined to finally visit the Belleek factory, which is located in the town of Belleek.  We, of course, were happy to visit as well.  I have a couple of small pieces from my first trip to Ireland but I hadn't been to the factory either.

If you look on a map, Belleek is right on the western border of Northern Ireland in County Fermanagh.  We headed back to Derry and then south.  We were around Derry several times but didn't have time to explore it.  It was pouring Saturday, and I mean pouring rain.

As we entered the factory, awaiting our tour, we had a glimpse of some historic examples of Belleek in their museum.

And then we went into the factory.  It was a Saturday so only a few of the crafts people were there.  First, we learned how they make the molds.

Then we saw the green ware that comes out of the moulds.  The material that becomes Belleek Parian china is a creamy coloured liquid formed by mixing China Clay, Feldspar, and Frit.  Frit is used in making glass.   That is our guide by the way. 

Next, we met two of the master craftsmen, both had worked for Belleek for more than 40 years.  One of them showed us how to put together a teapot.  I couldn't help but think of my students and their pottery projects this year!

We learned how they make those fancy baskets, no molds for these.

We watched how flowers are made.

When I asked these ladies if they had Belleek at home, they told me they had households full.  It seemed to us that Belleek was a good employer.  It is difficult and perhaps tedious work but they must have a real sense of satisfaction!

Next we learned about biscuit firing.  Kilns are fired to 1200 degrees centigrade and then there is a very gradual cooling process.  Each piece is inspected and if not perfect, it is destroyed.  There are no seconds at Belleek!  Here you can see the shrinkage that occurs.

Now each piece is dipped individually into a special recipe that contains borax and Frit so that the Belleek china has its distinctive pearl-like surface.

After the pieces are dried for about two minutes under an infra-red heater, the next step is glass firing where the glaze is blended to the Parian at a temperature of 1000 degrees centigrade.

Then the china is stamped if it passes a final inspection.  If it doesn't, it's destroyed!  Stamps change every decade or so.

The next step is painting if required.  We met one of their artists.

The final step is enamel firing at 760 degrees centigrade to fuse the trademark into bottom and the paint permanently fixed.

You can see here the change that takes place with this final firing.

Here are some samples of some of their finished work. 

I bought a lovely mint tray and Sue has some new mugs.  Now we found some very competitive prices at one of the duty free shops at the airport as well! 
We had lunch at the tearoom in the factory but when we walked into the village we discovered the place where we should have had lunch.  But we did have dessert!

Now we didn't go here but we think someone has competition.

All in all, Belleek was charming despite the rain!

Leaving Ireland

I have been trying and trying to post my last blog all about the Belleek China Factory to no avail. So I may not be able to do that post until I get home. So the short story is that we went to Belleek on Saturday in the rain! We had lot of fun despite the rain of course.

Sunday was a relatively quiet day spent trying to get everything back in the suitcases and tidying up our "home" and of course, for me, a bit of last minute shopping in Bushmills.

We had lunch at an adorable tearoom in Ballingtoy Harbour. We are going to miss the beautiful scenery here.

Today very early and in the rain that did stop, we left for the airport. Patricia had an earlier flight, Irene has another week in Ireland, and Sue and I are all checked in and waiting for our flight and long trip home via Chicago.

I can not seem to post pictures so I promise more when I get back home so the travel blog has not yet ended even if our trip has almost...



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Dublin Airport

Donegal on Friday

Friday was our day to go to Donegal. Patricia's tummy had been upset, and after she took a look at our proposed journey with its many twisty roads, she elected to stay home. Our goal was Dunfanaghy but going to Greencastle and to Port Salon and Downings first. We were seeking the dramatic Atlantic Ocean route.





With a bit of difficulty we reached Castle Rock (a lovely town,not on our map of Ireland for some reason and then Greencastle where we were able to take the ferry from Northern Ireland into Donegal, back in the Republic.



We were shocked when we got out of the car as the temperature had really dropped and it was freezing cold with a strong wind.


When I saw the small cafe was opening I went in to grab a cappuccino and also discovered a small museum, The Shackleton Museumdedicated to the history of Irish aviation. and, yes that is the same Shackleton, we know as a polar explorer. Greencastle seems to be the Kitty Hawk of Northern Ireland as those strong winds must have been helpful getting early aircraft off the ground. But today we were just taking a very short ferry ride.






We liked Donegal as soon as we arrived. The scenery was lovely and homes and farms very well kept.
Our first goal was to reach Fanad Head. We eventually reached a charming town, Ramelton.





Here we had a great lunch at the charming The Riverfront Cafe



From here we travelled north














until we reached Fanad Head. It was very beautiful but we had already had our share of twisty, narrow roads and there were more to come as we sought the elusive new Harry Blaney Bridge (also known as the Mulroy Bridge) to take us from Fanad Peninsula to Rosguill Pennsula. We eventually were successful and were on away along the Atlantic Route.









Beautiful but we thought it would feel rather cold and windy and isolated in the winter!


We all decided that our initial plan was too ambitious and that driving on narrow twisting roads was becoming less and less enjoyable. I have to say I was glad I had bought Gravel and moved to the front seat for the day. We decided to head for home and wider roads.

Unfortunately the Skoda's gear shifting was getting worse and worse and as we neared Letterkenny there was the unmistakable smell of a burning clutch. At Dublin Airport our first car was too small for our luggage. The second car that we paid more for had a clutch that smelled as soon as we started driving so then we ended up with this car, and it had always been difficult to get it into second gear. Please note that we rented a standard as it was less expensive but only Sue and Irene can drive a standard so I am no expert on any of this.

Sue managed to park the car by a real estate office on the Upper Main Street and we are very grateful for the kindness of the staff at McGlynn's Estate Agencyand at the Gallagher Hotel as they enabled us to coordinate operations with EuropaCar, and let Patricia know why we would be four hours late returning.


At least we were comfortable and well fed while we waited for a car to arrive!


Two hours later we were "home" watching the Olympics. The next question is, will our luggage fit?!

Location:Bushmills