Trip to N.I.

On Monday we returned home after spending 6 days in Northern Ireland to visit Jeff's parents, a.k.a. Granny and Grandad. Although it was a relatively short trip this time, it was good to be "home" and see family and friends. 

On Tuesday, 25th June, we travelled for 10 1/2 hours through 4 countries (England, Wales, Ireland and Northern Ireland) and with two currencies (the Pound and the Euro) over land and sea to get to Granny and Grandad's.  Ellen did very well the entire journey and even fell asleep about 2 miles up the road from their house... just figures.

On Wednesday we drove up to the north coast to the Portstewart Strand.

 =

 Ellen bum-shuffled her way through the sand.

 Granny showed Ellen different kind of shells she found on the beach.

On Thursday, we visited a National Trust property in Magherafelt, called Springhill (website).  It was raining, so we didn't get to see much of the outside of the house or gardens, but we got a guided tour around the house. 

Ellen loved driving this car... too bad it wasn't moving. (At the mall prior to going to Springhill)

On Friday, the three of us went swimming at the leisure centre in Limavady.  Ellen enjoyed splashing and the balls floating around the pool.  Friday afternoon was just laid back, although we did make an obligatory trip to the "swees"  (swings).

 

I enjoyed the big swing more than Ellen!

Saturday morning we had a short, but very nice visit to friends we knew from Munich, the MacDonalds.  Rick and Glenda's two children, Aiden and Ava, are so grown up now!  It's been about 6 years since we last saw them.  Glenda's sister, Shauna, who we were/are also friends with, was there, to our delight!  We spent the rest of the day with some of our Belfast friends.  Not only was it good to catch up with friends again and see how big the kids have gotten since last August, Ellen loved playing with the youngest daughter, Abi, who has just turned two.  Unfortunately, we didn't take any pictures that day.

Sunday was church and Monday we made the long journey back... but arrived safe and sound!

Now, about the family pictures - it is almost impossible to get Ellen to look at the camera.  She really doesn't enjoy having her picture taken, hence the few pictures we have of us together and of her looking at the camera... but we still try.

 A picture with Grandad - probably watching "coons".