Late birthday - the surprise

Shopping mall (Photo credit: pix.plz)

Thursday the 23rd August - another good day for umbrellas. This was a day for the last minute shopping and we all set off for Antrim  to Junction One shopping centre - this would be no 5 minute session - it took at least 2 hours.
We went into a cafe in the shopping centre for a quick cuppa and cake - luckily I have forgotten the name of the place - slow service  and tables showing evidence of the previous three hours customers crumbs.
Returned to the Broagh late afternoon and had a wee dander around to the relatives houses - a continuation of the Tuesday and Wednesday danders.
Walked around to brother Hugh's house and soon after Angela called around to pick me up in the car.
I thought something was up when I got back and Maread said 'do you want to freshen up' - I was beginning to put the pieces together.
About half an hour later I went over to Angela's and the place was full. Food on the table. Lots of conversations going on.
Suddenly a cake was produced with 7 lit candles (don't know where the other 63 went) and the Happy Birthday song burst forth. It was certainly a surprise.
All visits are fleeting and this one was no exception.

Late birthday - part two

Sperrins, Ireland (Photo credit: Nellie Windmill)

Wednesday 22nd August looked promising weather wise but there's usually a few dark clouds looming the other side of the Sperrins and they emerged in formation with the accompanying rain showers during the day.
It was unfortunate that this was the day we decided to go to Slieve Gallion and even though the rain spoiled the picnic we could at least see it coming from our lofty heights.
Another place which I had never been was next on our tour - Lough Fea 5 miles from Cookstown on the verge of the Sperrins. We decided to walk around the lough in an anti-clockwise direction  and after 4 kilometers of intermittent showers it felt like 10 kilometers. We returned and were soon getting stuck into the evening meal ( big plus here for Kevin - nothing got burnt while he was in charge). The days seem shorter when on holiday.

Late birthday - part one.

English: The car park at Dublin Port's ferry terminal (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Went back to Castledawson on 20th August with my daughter Pauline and Neil and my grandaughter Gemma. Neil filled the tank in his car and we set off for Holyhead early in the morning. One stop later and  a short detour because of traffic problems we arrived at the ferry terminal. It was my first time on this route and was impressed with the slickness of the loading operation.
Three hours later we arrived in Dublin and set off on the trek north. ( the toll charges are a bit of a rip off)
As we pulled up outside my brother Sean's house in the Broagh road it was clear that there was a football match on down the lane in the football field - we carried on to this match and watched the second half. Castledawson were victorious over Desertmartin.
We proceeded to my sister Angela's house where we met up with a houseful of brothers,sisters,nephews and nieces. It was a late night.
Next day (Tuesday)  while my sister Angela and niece Nicola went off to the coast - Portrush and Giants Causeway - with Pauline Neil and Gemma I headed off in the direction of Carrickmore with brothers Sean and Seamus. First stop on Devesky road was with Peadar Montague. After half an hour reminiscing and conversing we called to see my uncle ( RIP) Patrick's wife a mile out the same road. On the return journey we called to see Brendan Martin. His grandfather and my grandfather were old pals way back in the mists of time. As we were leaving he led us in the direction of the barn where we saw among other equipment a stack of books wrapped up. We each had a hardback copy of the history of  Tyrone GAA football up to the winning of the 1st All Ireland title in 2003. This book was written by Brendan's brother Joseph.
We returned to base in the Broagh and prepared for the next day.