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!