Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland was such a pleasant surprise to me.  Simply gorgeous countryside and even more spectacular coastline.  I was there in the fall and the wild fuchsia lined the country roads.

This is the coastline of England at Hollyhead as we departed on the ferry across the Irish sea

4 hour car ferry crossing across a very wild Irish Sea!

 As we entered Belfast, this structure overwhelmed the city.  Have no idea what it is.

The new Titanic museum which had just opened summer 2012.  Fascinating museum and well worth a visit.

Coastal road along the east coast of Northern Ireland

Carnlough, Northern Ireland

Our hotel in Carnlough, The Londonderry Arms.

  Rope Bridge that I did not cross!

Thistle

The Giant's Causeway.  It's an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns that resulted from an ancient volcanic eruption.  The Giant's Causeway is about 3 miles northeast of the town of Bushmills, yes, of irish whiskey fame.    The tops of the columns form stepping stones that lead from the cliff foot and disappear under the sea.  Most of the columns are hexagonal and the tallest are about 39 feet high.  It's the most popular tourist attraction in Northern Ireland and the UK consideres it the 4th greatest wonder in the United Kingdom.

 The countryside around the Causeway.  

Sandringham House

Sandringham House is a country house on 20,000 acres(8,100 hectars) of land near the village of Sandringham in Norfolk, England.  The house is privately owned by the British Royal Family and they usually spend the Christmas holidays here.  We were able to tour the first floor but no pictures!  The grounds were quite nice however and I could take pictures here!

 The fuchsia which grows wild everywhere!

Ayscoughfee Hall and gardens in Peterborough, UK

Unfortunately the Hall was closed on the day we visited Ayscoughfee Hall but the gardens were magical

The North Sea

It's been a while since I've posted but it's time to get back to it!  I've taken several trip across the pond that I need to share!  Back in September 2012 I traveled to the east coast of England, the weather was lovely and the tourists had all gone home so we had that corner of the U.K to ourselves!

A windmill farm in the North Sea on a clear day

The lavender fields were still blooming!

And we had Hunstanton Beach to ourselves!

A charming little town where we wandered around and found a quaint pub for a cool pint!

Oar and Paddle Regatta

Went to see my cousin leading the pack at the Oar and Paddle Regatta this morning!  I had a great spot up on the "Jaws" bridge to catch him as he was going under from the calm pond to the choppy seas!  Go Percy!

Best friends

How cool is this, 

my mom and her best friend Carole

me and my best friend Julie (Carole's daughter)

Tomatoes galore!

I do believe I have had a successful crop this year.  Many years I plant 20+ tomato plants and they struggle along.  This year I hovered over one Bid Boy tomato plant, a grape tomato plant and a couple cherry plants (chocolate cherry and yellow pear for example) and look at this week's crop so far!  Success at last!