Dunluce Castle & Giant's Causeway.

We spent a Saturday with new international students from Queens, touring the north coast. First stop was Dunluce Castle, next was the Giant's Causeway.  The day was perfect, with sun and blue skies.

 {our new friends from Shanghai, Lucas & Kate}

 {crazy hair}

Lingo.

So far, daily life in Northern Ireland means constant sayings or bits of conversation that we just don't understand. I am in a constant struggle to decide whether I will just pretend like I know that last part of the sentence someone said...or go ahead and say, "I'm sorry...what?"  It's been amusing. We're keeping a list of lingo that is especially new or bizarre to us. Here's a start.

bitsy = a mutt (puppy, cat, etc.)

boke = to throw up (unsure of spelling_

dander = stroll, walk ("have a wee dander"/"dander down to Queens")

casualty = the ER (this seems especially grim and strange)

lie-in = to sleep in/late in the morning ("have a lie in")

gutted = disappointed

knackered = really tired

rota = rotation (this is used constantly! "make up a wee rota"/"I'll put you on the rota")

did my head in = made me crazy/at my wit's end/frustrating

dear = expensive ("the meat is very dear")

up the duff = pregnant

City Centre.

Another weekend trip to the City Hall lawn, this time to watch Ireland play Australia in the rugby world cup. It was fun {and cold} to watch it outside with the small crowd cheering on Ireland.

 Of course, a weekend now means a stop at St George's Market. This time we sampled chicken curry and spicy meatballs with rice. {Not the prettiest to photograph, but so yummy}.  We also welcomed autumn with some zucchini {called courgette here...that was confusing} bread at Gayle's Cakes.

a Saturday.

On Saturday the 10th we visited St. George's Market downtown. It was perfect. Tables and tables of curry, cheeses, cakes, crepes, art, crafts, coffees, etc.  I loved it. 

 I had a cheese & ham crepe for lunch and Matt had a bap with bacon & sausage.

We toured City Hall as well as Ulster Hall:

 And then visited Victoria Square mall. We climbed to the top of the dome and had a panoramic view of Belfast:

Donegal in September.

We spent 3 days in the far north of Donegal for a staff retreat. It was beautiful with sunshine for day one, rain and crazy wind for the rest. 

View from our room:

Our retreat house:

On the way to Malin head, northernmost point in Ireland:

Matt and Rosemary:

Malin Head:

Culdaff Beach:

At McGrory's pub for music: