Estee and I headed off to Ireland for Christmas and spent time visiting the relos over there. An experience that I think in someways we were both dreading. It kind of hit Estee when she realized how many cousins there would be that she would have to say hello too! In all there were 5 cousins and 5 aunts/uncles. I guess not too bad in comparison with some but you have to remember this lot are Irish!
As usual it takes forever to get to Heathrow with a few train changes and slow trains. But I guess it isn’t too bad. Although it would be nice if it was a little cheaper!! The fares are amazing. The good things is you get the tea cart coming through on most of the trains from Margate to Victoria. And you need considering it takes about 1h 45 to 2h to get there. And the bad things is that you have to be the so early before the flight it is ridiculous. You could get there at the last minute I guess, but with our luck we would end up being late or held up getting through security. Oh well …
Anyway, we arrived in Belfast not long after the sun had gone down which wasn’t too bad but we were even luckier to have taken off at all. Apparently after we left and I guess a few others, the fog an mist moved in and they closed the airport. That is a relief. Not sure George and Tanya could have handled they trip to the airport to pick up no one.
We spent our time with Marie and George who also played tour guide. They took Estee and I around to all the lovely sites of NI. the only problem was the weather wasn’t too lovely was it!
We went across to places such as Musselton Temple which is basically a library that was converted into a temple and that sits on top of a cliff. Would have been an interesting library I think in it’s day. Carrick-a-reed bridge was also one of the stop overs. The problem was that the Army had taken it down as they do each year during the winter apparently. It is a good bridge to go across although some are afraid to go over it just ask George. Although Marie was a bit nervous too.
The Giants Causeway was a little different to what I remember from last time I was there. Yeah ok, it was summer there before but still it was blowing hell of a wind when we were there this time! Estee took some pictures of the place and sent a postcard back to her Grandmother too showing the formations.
Christmas night was spent with George, Marie and Tanya with the usual gift opening stuff that happens. I had told Estee that George was cow collector and I don’t mean just the big cows that go moo. He also has characterters in the houses … heaps of them. And he was given some more for Christmas too. Marie has hidden some in the loft too so that she doesn’t have to dist them.
Estee go to meet the cousins and so I guess she was introduced to the family and the worst of the family too I think. The rest shouldn’t be too bad in comparison. I think some of the relos need to brush up on their manners and at least say hello to people when they arrive and not totally ignore them. But hey what do I know? I am an uncouth aussie!
Overall though the trip to NI was a good and it was great to see the family again (most) and now it is there turn to come out and see us!!
Posted by telfie 
