A Giant Adventure

It's been quite a week! We set off over the big blue wet thing and, after 2 hours of sailing, set foot in Northern Ireland.

Despite the visit itself being planned for quite a while owing to my dad's failing health, the exact itinerary was sorely lacking. This meant that we winged things on a day by day basis, which was oddly enjoyable. 

Day one was simply travelling. We stopped at my dad's, introduced Missy to his 5 (yes, five) dogs and were treated to dinner. We were then surprised with a birthday cake for my hubby who's birthday had been the day before. 

Our first stop was the Giants Causeway. This has been on my to-do list for some time and I was pleased to finally get to see it. Missy, who is part mountain goat, managed the large basalt hexagon pillars with ease whilst we followed behind with far less grace and confidence. The visitors centre was enjoyable, although as it was free as a national trust member, I am skewed in my judgement there! The tour was definitely a highlight of the day. My dad and his wife did join us at the causeway but the visit was short owing to a sudden downpour and my dad's poor mobility making the stones uncrossable. Typically, just as they gave up and got on the bus back up, the sun was back out again! 

Wednesday was Belfast. We started the day at the Botanic Gardens. Of all the Botanic gardens I've visited, this one was the most dog friendly we've visited

(Edinburgh doesn't allow and Glasgow permits on the grounds only, not in the greenhouses). 

The weather was in our favour as, after a cool start, the sun came out and Missy was soon sunbathing whilst I tried to catch a photo or two of the bees that were bumbling about. 

We then went into Belfast and, parking at the Titanic exhibition (which does not allow dogs, but is on the Maritime Mile and offers relatively cheap parking) we set about the next leg of the adventure. Whilst not allowed in, there was plenty to look at outside the Titanic building. 

The Titanic was built in Belfast. Hubby, being a Dundee kid, was quick to joke and compare it to the Discovery - the infamous ship of Scott and Shackleton that he grew up by that couldn't be stuck in ice, that then got stuck in the ice. "At least we got ours back!" He quipped, in his best put on stereotype Dundee accent.

Perhaps something spiteful was listening as we hit our first hurdle. We knew we were on it, but where exactly was the Maritime Mile? We walked about. We looked for signs. Nada. I went on the website and found that it was meant to have an app which was no good as we didn't have headphones and then I finally got the map to work. We were off. 

It's a nice wee walk. The Game of Thrones stained glass trail overlaps some of it and we wound our way around some Maritime history. Highlights were the massive iron bouys and the old light from the lighthouse. Worth doing - but maybe bring headphones to get the full experience! 

Then we started what turned out to be the highlight of the day - our Black Cab Tour of the political murals and a crash course in the Troubles. It had been recommended to me by a work colleague and, after emailing them to double check thier dog policy, was delighted that Missy was allowed to come. (For those wishing to follow suit, I would message in advance and they will try and accommodate you with a driver who is happy to have a dog in the cab). 

I had trucked back and forth to Ireland twice a year as a kid through the 90s and the tour really helped solidify the strangeness of my childhood to my hubby. He'd heard of the murals, but had never seen the scale of them. He'd heard of the mob mentality, the every day violence but it wasn't until he saw the 45ft "peace" wall that it really sank into him that it was, and as the gates close at 6.30pm every night, still is a, a grim reality for many. Being a private tour, we got to ask questions we felt would have sounded niave (what's the deal about the poppies, being one my hubby asked after I had made an absolute song and dance that Missy was not to have anything poppy related upon her (short answer being it's a political "flag" that you are, or aren't, part of the tribe).

Absolutely recommend, I can't say enough - the driver was great with Missy, tailored the tour to a level we both understood, and was very insightful and balanced about the two sides. 

Thursday was the dogs day. With a two hour sailing looming ahead the following day, we wanted her well walked and tired. And so Divis and the Black Mountain was selected.

It was a... adventure for sure. Weather was a bit dull, but fine for walking until you spotted the cloud that sat over the peak. We pursued the walk anyway, hoping the clouds would move on. 

They didnt. 

But that didn't spoil anything. Missy enjoyed a good sniff and a trot about (except when we spotted cattle and had her on lead) and, after 2 hours, returned to the Airbnb for a cup of tea. I had snores in stereo as both Missy and Hubby passed out from all the fresh air. Like all the other days, we saw my dad that evening and, sorting through his military paraphernalia that he wants to see going to a good home, listening to his army stories, was an oddly poignant and cathartic moment for me. Whilst I still decline to share details of his health, I'm more at peace about it.

We spent the last few hours of our time in Ireland with my dad at the St Georges Market. He, and his wife, are veritable magpies, and it was a delight to join in on what was obviously "thier" thing: breakfast in the restaurant and then a potter about the stalls.

And that was us. Back in the boat and back home. The last week already a distant memory. 

I'll leave it there for today, the blog has gone on quite enough, and I will share with you the stunning views from atop Black Mountain. Until next time!