Up North

As some of you are well aware,  I hail from Northern parts, and seeing as I had a free long weekend of no bookings, I decided to return home and show off Northern Ireland to Dee.

I couldn’t have picked a better weekend to showcase Northern Ireland (cue the theme tune to Discover Northern Ireland now). The weather for the entire weekend was sensational! I had the sun cream on the head, lots of ice cream in my belly and BBQ’d like a River Cottage addict. It truly was a fantastic weekend.

Our tour started out in Kesh on the shores of Lough Erne. My mate Dik has a boat up there and when the weather’s like this then it would be a crime to not fill the thing with fuel and burn it off at an almighty pace. We got wet-suited and un-booted (my feet felt like blocks of ice!) and took our first summer dip in the lake. I tried wakeboarding for the first time and as you’ll see from the video – I was useless. As for being towed behind the boat on a rubber ring, it was as terrifying as always. I’m just glad the video doesn’t show my facial expressions. Oh… and the guy in the shots below, that’s Dik showing how it’s done.

On the second day we decided to take a tour of the Donegal coast, through Buncrana where we had coffee and dessert at The Beach House served up by former bride of mine and restaurant owner Claire. Top notch as always. We dropped in at Dunree Fort next for the views and for a walk through the old military camp. Visitors can walk around all the old buildings, and there is definitely a sense hushed respect as you meander from hut to house. Well worth a visit.
Our Northern Ireland junket also took in a tour of the seaside town of Portrush where I indulged my inner child by insisting that everyone join me in ‘Barrys’. The place hasn’t changed one bit and memories of trips there as a child came flooding back. Finally our tour ended at Benone Beach at the foot of Downhill and Binevenagh. We trekked to Mussenden Temple and Downhill House which stands majestically on the cliff edge and takes in the vista across Benone’s golden strand. The weather was incredible but as you’ll see from Dee’s hair, it was windy!
I didn’t bring my proper camera but the iphone, zumi and my little lumix were all put to good use.