UK: Day 7

After yesterday, Tarrin was determined that we leave the house today, despite the storm weather warnings. Karl was on leave as well so we left, sak en pak, for a day of indoor activities.

Wrapped up and ready for the storm (which never came)

We started off by visiting Ulster Museum. It's quite an extensive museum, in terms of topics covered etc. but as Tarrin pointed out, it is a little clinical. So we explored as much as we could before the kids were too hungry to continue and we had to go back down to the canteen for them to eat.

Zac and Isla at the Ulster Museum

Tarrin's babies

Listening in on an Irish and Scottish Gaelic conversation

At the Nature Centre learning about the animals

After that, we went to a local nursery that sets up a Christmas exhibition of sorts. It was awesome - all Christmas lights and music, and stalls of little decorations and gifts. The kids went mad and we had to pull them away so that we could grab something to eat.

One of the little exhibition windows

Thankful that we brought the pram!

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

The Santa Christmas Band

As it was still relatively early in the afternoon when we were done at Hillside, we decided to make a final stop, at one of my favourite UK places - IKEA! Here, Tarrin and I went mad, and poor Karl and Andel were on childcare supervision duty, reluctantly following us around the massive warehouse.

Zac and Isla camping out on the top bunk

Hitching a ride in the trolley with uncle Karl

Now we're ready for dinner, and then off to bed. Tarrin and Karl are both at work tomorrow, so we may well be exploring the city on our own. Watch this space!

UK: Day 3, Day 4 & Day 5

We've just arrived home from a wonderfully relaxing weekend in the Irish countryside with Karl's parents. We left late on Saturday morning with a packed lunch and some scheduled stops along the hour-and-a-half long trip to the Glens.

Our first stop was at Antrim Lough Shore (or "Ducks Paradise" as Andel likes to refer to it) to feed the ducks and geese. Unfortunately, Zac had already fallen asleep and so missed the entire thing, but it was pretty funny for Tarrin and I to watch from the car: what with Karl and Andel trying to avoid being attacked by the birds!

Just before the geese started to attack!

Tarrin and Karl took us on a guided tour of the Glens as we drove through en route to his parents, and when we got there we were welcomed with a warm fire and some tea - which, apart from a short walk to the river, is where we stayed until we went to friends of the Grahams for dinner.

The beautiful Glens

Sheep grazing across the way from Karl's parents' place

Taking a walk to the river

Zac loved being able to splash in the puddles in his wellies

The next morning, despite warnings of cold weather, we bravely set out for the Giants' Causeway. It was a beautiful drive along the coast where in better weather you can see all the way to Scotland. By the time we got there it was pouring with rain and very windy, so Karl and Tarrin stayed indoors with the kids while Andel and I did the tourist thing and took the guided tour.

Walking down to the Giants' Causeway

Tarrin on babysitting duty

Weathering the freezing wind

Zac and Isla running riot in the Visitors' Centre

After a long day in the cold, we decided against going out for dinner, and instead ordered in some pizza from Karl's uncle's restaurant before having an early night. And this morning, we were rewarded with beautiful snow!

Playtime with Karl's Mom in front of the fire

Tarrin roasting again

We took a slow ride home today, stopping at Glenariff Forest Park to see the waterfalls, and trying to take in as much of the snowy white surroundings as possible.

Zac wanting to take a dip?

Andel and Zac at the waterfalls

The village of Cargan covered in snow

Now, with bellies full of roti and curry, and children already dozing off, I reckon we're heading for another early night in. Not that I'm complaining, at all!

UK: Day 2

Today, after a slow start (we were anticipating some jet lag that hasn't really arrived), we were taken into Town. Tarrin had gone completely mental after hearing about our missing suitcase (containing all Zac's clothing and all our toiletries) and bought bags full of things we may need. As it turns out, some of the things were a little too big for Zac, and so while we waited for word on when our luggage would be delivered, we went to re-size some of the garments.

Easy like a Friday morning

We took the bus into Town, much to Zac's delight! He gazed out the window with huge eyes as Andel took him through The Wheels (and everything else) on the Bus. We bundled up nice and warm, and walked through the streets of Belfast, running through our errands, and then stopping for a bite as we waited for Tarrin to finish work.

We catch the bus right across the road from the house

Zac bundled up against the cold

Exploring the streets of Belfast

Lunch at Castle Court with Tarrin's Mom

On the way home, we got the great news that our suitcase would be delivered - and so we have been reunited with all our luggage! We're now all enjoying a chilled evening before heading down to the Glens tomorrow to Karl's parents for the weekend.

Andel has a new little tail: Isla Grace

Doing what we do best: chilling together