Day 100 - Back to Pogles III

10th April 2013

Once again, I got up and jumped in Bertha for the drive down to Kent. Happily for me I was driving after the rush hour and before lunch, so it took almost exactly the hour and a half I expect. Boom.

I was heading down for a chance to see my brother and his darling family alongside my sister and her darling family. As it happened my Aunt and Uncle were visiting from Scotland so it was a nice big family catch up in the end.

Seeing all the babies together makes me so happy, I can never grasp that these are the same little babies from so few years ago. One will be informing me of facts about Horned Lizards, another will be guiding her little sister into playing more gently with their baby cousin, that little sister will want to give endless hugs and kisses to the baby cousin, and baby cousin is adoring the attention and lapping it up. 

This is my brother, Stu, guiding the next generation of photographers. The photo Susie took was lovely, a mix of natural talent and a beautiful subject. I'm not sure if I like this photo, what do you think? It has this weird soft focus as I was using an FD lens on my EOS camera, so have to use an adapter. This works fairly well, but I can't get the aperture right down to 1.4 without this soft focus happening, same if the lock on the adapter gets knocked even slightly out of position. Sometimes I like it, sometimes I feel like it looks a bit too old film fake... Let me know if you have any strong opinions either way. Or any opinions, I'm not picky.

The photo I chose for today is my wonderful Papa, he's actually watching Susie clamber around and try and give Keira hugs and kisses. He is an utterly fantastic Grandad, thoughtfully providing both facial hair and glasses for grandchildren to pull on and grab, as well as outstanding hugs - these I can vouch for myself. I wonder at what point the kids will stop finding it funny when I talk about Grandad as my Dad or join in a hug. I hope never.

Stephie

xxx

Day 99 - Me Party

9th April 2013

So today was my day that was for me and me alone. It was the only day of the Easter Holidays without a plan at the beginning, middle or end of it. I didn't have to go and see anyone or do anything and I couldn't wait. Not that I didn't love seeing everyone else and doing all the amazing things I've done this holiday, but everyone needs a day to just chill.

First things first, massive lie in. Oh yes. I needed this is the biggest of ways, lots of early starts, late nights, and hectic days on the Emerald Isle had knackered me well and truly out. I couldn't tell you what time I woke up, but I know it wasn't as late as some of you expect. When I woke up for the final time I fetched myself a cup of tea and settled myself in bed to final post the past couple of weeks' worth of photos.

This took me the better part of the day and I veered between loving just sitting in bed and writing and going through my photos, and feeling like I was doing last minute homework. I can tell you for certain that I will not be leaving it that long to do that many posts ever again. I did get through an easter egg and a hell of a lot of mini eggs, so this is a very definite plus.

After the blog was finally all updated it was time to shower and ready myself to head to Pogles for the third time. Pack up some clothes, find the things I'd been planning to take back numerous times and repeatedly forgot (I did it again this time, sigh.) and throw some more washing into the machine.

Tom arrived in his usual gallant way as I was pondering getting pizza as a treat to myself and said I could have some of the food he was cooking for himself. In his words "Yeah you could get pizza, or you could be cooked for by a chef in your own kitchen". What girl can say no to that? We had a really totally nice stew thing with chorizo. If I get such lovely treatment as a friend, one can only assume Naomi gets a really totally awesome stew thing with extra chorizo when Tom cooks for her.

The photo for today was crafted for me a couple of weeks ago by Samantha and Clare (another Medwayite I met after leaving Medway). Isn't it lovely? Minus the poor Polar Bear with a poorly stomach. Ahem. I felt it was an apt photo for today because today was AAAALLLLLL about Steph.

I sang this for about 97% of the day.

Stephie

xxx

Day 98 - Home again

8th April 2013

Once again, a nice early start. We got up at 6, ready to go get a massive breakfast at 6:30. We really made what we could of the all you can eat, fry up, toast, crumpets, porridge. The tea left a lot to be desired. But there was a lot of it, and we were able to take Claire a little goodie bag.

Claire collected and deposited us at the airport because she is a diamond. Already miss her so much!!! I am really hoping we can get her back over here again soon, as this visit felt like no time at all, we didn't drink nearly enough tea.

Upon arrival we thought we saw a sign saying that Easyjet were looking for volunteers to put their hand luggage in the hold. So we thought we'd double check the size of our bags, to be safe. Lucky we did, because Easyjet are ridiculous and our bags that made it out couldn't go back. We retrieved our handbags from the depths and were able to check our luggage for free. Win!

Another wander round an airport and flight later, we arrived at London. The downside to our free luggage check in was waiting for it at reclaim. Dull. Otherwise, our timing was perfect on many occasions - got to the lifts as they were about to go, the shuttle moments before it left, our train to London with time to spare, but no wait. Quite satisfactory.

Our ways parted at Green Park, Lynsey headed to work and I headed home.

Long day, amazing week. Thank you so much Claire for having us over and taking us to Dublin and showing us your amazing muscles, rawr. Really really hope you're able to come back over soon :-)

Stephie

xxx

Day 97 - Happy Holi!

7th April 2013

Our original plan was to go home on Sunday morning, as it was Claire's Grandad's birthday. Unfortunately I let Lynsey be in charge of something, rookie error, and our flights back were booked for Monday morning instead.

As it happens, it turned out very nicely indeed. We found a cheap hotel for Sunday night, dumped our stuff and went for a wander round Belfast.

We had some delicious food at Bubbacue and then headed over to the Festival of Colour happening in town. I didn't realise it was about Holi, really wish we'd been prepared with clothes we didn't like. But we weren't, and in a way it was much better, cause it meant I could take loads of pictures of people rather than try desperately to protect my camera the whole time. 

These were taken at the exit from the 'colour pit', and here everyone was happy and laughing and enjoying themselves. About 5 metres away from that everyone had turned into zombies, staggering out of the infection tent. 

We watched for a little while, got some Henna designs, cause they were too pretty, and found a bar for dinner and some wine.

Milk and extra teabags picked up, the decision was made to go back for an early and relaxing night. We got in, made a fair few cups of tea each and watched QI for the evening, whilst rearranging everything in our bags to fit. Excellent evening.

Stephie

xxx

Day 96 - Regatta

 

6th April 2013

Another early start, though late by our previous standards, 6:30am, we were up bright and early to head down to breakfast. This was delicious, I haven't had porridge I enjoyed that much since I was a little girl eating it in my Postman Pat apron and watching Big Breakfast. 

We headed down to the river where we shivered on the banks for awhile. There was a point when I genuinely could not feel my feet, bad shoe choice Murphy. But it wasn't too long before we got to cheer Claire and Belfast Rowing Club on, like the absolute champs that they are. 

After watching a couple of races Lynsey and I headed back into town to have a wee wander. We quickly wandered into the Guinness Storehouse, another attraction I would definitely recommend if you're in Dublin.

We had a long walk around learning about how they made the stuff, and eventually were given a small sample. Luckily for us, this was just the beginning. Our ticket entitled us to another free pint in a bar overlooking the whole of Dublin. Pretty special. But nowhere to sit and maaaaan were my dogs barking. 

 

This is Frank. He is a tea cup.

Another short jaunt around the centre of town, and we jumped on a bus back to Claire, in time to see the boys win another race, yay! They packed up, got their medals and we zoomed back up to Belfast and pizza. Mmmm. We half wanted to go somewhere to celebrate the wins, but the lure of pyjamas was just too strong.

Go BRC!

Stephie

xxx

Day 95 - Dublin

5th April 2013

First things first - Happy Anniversary Mama and Papa! 38 years married today, that's pretty special. Love you both so so much!

So today, after Claire ran a couple of errands and we had a brilliant brunch we got in the car and zoomed off down to Dublin for the regattta the next day.

This was my first visit to Ireland itself. My apologies to Grandad John, who makes me Irish and the Murphy that I am. But I made it there! Finally! And one day I'll get down to Waterford and see your hometown, promise.

Our hotel was wonderfully kitsch. We checked in, waited for the boys to turn up and headed into town for food. We wandered around Temple Bar looking for a Mongolian BBQ Claire had told us about, found it and found its hour waiting time too. So we looked elsewhere, and ended up in Hard Rock Café. I had some beautiful Bruschetta and a pretty amazing burger, that I would not turn down if someone happened to bring me another. Just Saying.

We were squashed into a taxi home, ready for another early start..

Stephie

xxx

Day 94 - Belfast

April 4th 2013

Up at 4am. Bleurgh. We tiptoed around the flat collecting bits and bobs and then made our way to the station for the first tube of the morning. The District line. Snoooooze.

E-v-e-n-t-u-a-l-l-y we arrived at London Bridge and found our train to Gatwick. A short attempt was made at getting coffee, but they were far too slow, so we had to hop on the train without. Luckily for us because we had found a slightly earlier train we had much longer at Gatwick for a proper breakfast.

We grabbed ourselves some Pret porridge and had a short wander round. As we waited for our Gate to be called we realised the men walking past us in the same jumpers were in fact London Irish rugby team. So pretty. Sigh.

We made it to our plane and over to Belfast nice and quickly. I managed to miss take off as I fell asleep almost as soon as I sat down, which is a shame cause that's my favourite part, sympathy please.

Upon arrival we decided to grab a coffee before we left, however Claire was left waiting in the car while we were waiting at the most inefficient Costa EVER. I honestly do no understand how it took them as long as it did. Seemed like a lot of queue jumping which displeases me greatly.

Finally we were with Claire! YAY! Things dropped off at her house, we went into town to get some food before visiting Titanic Belfast. The food was delicious, I seemed to have a Man Vs Food sized portion of chicken wings, but they were beautiful so I managed it. Yum. It took slightly longer than anticipated, so we ended up having to rush off to the museum. After a small detour, ahem Claire, we arrived.

It's an amazing place, and if you get the chance to go you really really should.

The photo was taken during a ride in the exhibit, telling of the workers and how they built the Titanic and celebrated its completion.

There were a lot of stories of the passengers, those that made it all the way through, those that died and those that narrowly escaped being on board.

The photo above was part of a story of a man who was travelling just to Queenstown. Once on board some of the other richer passengers wanted to pay for him to go all the way to New York. He was supposed to be disembarking to train as a priest - the bishop upon hearing of the other passengers' plans sent him this message, and he left the ship and survived.

Towards the end of the exhibit they showed these - the SOS messages sent off to other ships. Some complained that they were jamming the lines and they were trying to track other things. Others were ships telling them that they were on their way. It was so terribly sad. The last one is cut off mid-sentence and it speaks volumes. 

The exhibit takes a long time to get round properly, so we really needed some caffeine after finished. I actually got a latté, but really wished I'd got Lynsey's tea. Isn't the teapot lovely? I actually ended up having a cup of tea from it because Lynsey is lame and can't finish tea. It's a medical condition.

Look at my cake. Look at it. It was immense. I kinda wanted a hammer and chisel to thwack pieces off of it. Amazing.

We headed home where Claire's mum made some beautiful chilli, and we had a little relaxing glass of wine. Shortly afterwards we headed out into town to meet some of Claire's friends for a drink. The pub we went to was awesome, great atmosphere. If I'd been more awake I would have wanted to stay a lot longer, but it wasn't long before Lynsey and I's eyes started to betray our tiredness and Claire kindly spotted this and got us home.

Long first day, but a brilliant first day.

Stephie

xxx