Corrib House Oughterard

... cottage! in the morning the 40-ish architecture students started on a breakfast of toast and left over champ (mashed potato) before stephen's mammy came down (via the grand staircase in the turret over looking the courtyard) and pulled out fruit salad, fresh scones and starting cooking sausages! after brunch we took a leisurley turn around the garden and explored the estate which was most delightful, they had the most exquiset views over lough ...

... during the 105 days where the people were stuck inside the city walls they were selling dog, rat and horse meat to people as that was all they had!!! I am so glad we went to Derry and would recommend it to anyone who wants to learn the history of northern Ireland.<br><br>On the 20th the main event was the Giants Causeway, I will leave this story mostly up to Sean, but I just have to say that sometimes famous sites that you have seen photos ...

... and yes these are definatly the ones I want, hardwearing and neutral colours. Now just have to scatch up the £60 for them :{<br>Trekking trousers - something that we can wear during the trekking in South America, we want something cut off but also decent looking that can be worn in the cities, most likely we will be going for the North Face paramont porter range here. But again £60!!<br><br ...

... right. Not willing to cycle another 40km at 4pm in my present state, we decided to stay in a B&amp;B. Such luxuries of tiny soaps, soft towels, heated room, and pillows! I just hope we'll be able to return to camping after this (sorry, Barb, our air mattresses were more comfortable than the beds :) ). Will still be sleeping well tonight and enjoying a break from the damp night air on my poor lungs.

... of huge metal tubes. To be more exact gigantic diameter drainage tubes like you would find under a bridge. They cut portholes in the metal to look out of much like an airplane&#8217;s windows. So the gates and the aisle between are all in the same tube. Makes it really cramped trying to get your 3 yr. old and your carry on luggage through the crowds.<br><br>At Hertz in Belfast we found out that the mini-van that we wanted ...

... by the number of cranes poking out across the skyline... Ten mins further east was the Stormont Parliament Building. Pulling up to the gates to get in was an unnervingly amusing event, as a security guy got on to check out the bus, and all he did was walk along the bottom deck whilst giving us a few lazy glances... no need to bother checking anyone's bags ...

We woke up not too late, hoping we wouldn't get in trouble for 'free camping' on Dublin streets. I got in the driver's seat and got us out of the city, heading northwards. We found a gorgeous tearoom just off the M1 in a tiny town called Castlebellingham. There was also tons of parking so we got our little cooker going to make toast for breakfast. We tossed up whether to travel up the coastal route, but knowing we had so much distance to ...

... food and lots of laughs! After that we spent time with our friends Richard, Avtar and Gary and their family. Then we went to Portrush to visit Andy's sister Wendy and her husband Mark and the kiddies. We played with all the Christmas toys, went bowling and watched the Polar Express. Good times! We flew back to Barcelona on December 31 just in time to gun it home, change and make it to the restaurant Marmalade to meet up with our friends.

We took the Causeway Coastal Route along the North Antrim coast from Belfast. It is 80 miles of stunning coastline with every twist and turn revealing natural wonders and outstanding beauty. We went over bridges and under arches on a road that hugs the narrow strip of coastline between the sea and high cliffs. It lead us through charming villages like Carnlough and Cushendun, past crescent bays, sandy beaches and fantastic rock outcrops, to reach a ...

... I've decided though that walks along the strand to the White Rocks, strolls along the cliffs at the Giant's Causeway, and a wind-swept day at Carrick-a-rede is really all that's necessary in life. Especially when there are little old men dressed in green coats riding the bus. Don't be fooled; his suitcase contained a pot of gold.