August 29th 2017 - Cherbourg to Rochefort

We had quite an ambitious itinerary planned for the end of August and all of September 2017. I had organised a non-simultaneous exchange in Tramacastilla de Tena in the Pyrenees in Spain followed by a simultaneous exchange in Gouda in The Netherlands. Our plan was to take the ferry from Rosslare to Cherbourg and then to drive to Rochefort where we would stay a night with Danielle and meet up again with Emmanuelle, Jade and William. Our plans looked like they could have become complicated as following a yellow warning for flood the previous weekend, the flood actually hit on Tuesday evening. At 18.50 Seamus from next door walked up the side of our house to check if there was any water in our garden or in Goudie's. At that stage threre was none but within 10 minutes Goudie's was flooded and the water started to make its way into our garden

It wasn't long until the water started to come in the back door. So Jim and I frantically mopped and mopped and mopped trying to ensure that it would not make its way into the kitchen. I brought down every towel in the house to try to stem the flow. Meanwhile, Seamus had opened the manhole outside our house trying to let the water get away. However, his cafe and Mehan's shop were under 4-5 inches of water.

Because of the hump on the road water flows in towards the houses.

The water had made its way into Cookman's and was coming back into our yard through the wall as if numerous little taps had been turned on.

Fortunately our front door is up a few steps - otherwise the water would have got into the hall.

And it continued to rain!

And rain...

We did marathon work on Wednesday and Thursday to get the utility room back to normal and to get all the towels washed and dried and the house sorted for our home exchangers. We now have a pallet of sandbags in the yard for us and for the neighbours in the event of further flooding. We thought we were bad but it was nothing like the devastation in Innishowen.


Our plans proceeded as anticipated and on arrival in Cherbourg we were disappointed to see that it was raining - not the type of welcome that we associate with France. And the rain continued throughout the drive making visibility very poor and driving very stressful. As a result the journey took a lot longer than anticipated and we arrived at Danielle's at about 6.30 pm. We were welcomed warmly and immediately set to the aperitif. Then we had hake en papillote in a curry sauce with rice. Then the obligatory cheese and then tarte aux mirabelles which Jim loved. The evening was spent reminiscing and next morning we headed off on our journey to Ustaritz where I had booked a hotel for 1 night.

A fortnight in Ireland with our French friends August 2017

From August 3rd to 17th Emmanuelle, Jade and William were with us. The evening they arrived we went up to Grianan of Aileach for the view - fantastic. On 4th August we took off for  Holywood Co. Down on a weekend home exchange. We went via the Antrim Coast to see some Game of Thrones film locations. We stopped at Downhill beach to see The Mussenden Temple. They took some  photos of Dunluce and Dunseverick. Then we went to The Red Door on the way to Ballintoy Harbour for lunch. We had a delicious chowder, William a burger and Jade cake! They loved Ballintoy Harbour.
Rachel and Will’s house had the wow factor - huge! In fact I thought it was too big but the French really loved the games room. From the living room and balcony there was a great view of Strangford Lough. Rachel had left a chilli con carne which went down well.  The following day we did the Mournes and went on the ferry. We had a picnic in a very nice location from where we could watch the boats.. We got a Chinese takeaway that evening. The following day we did Cushendun where we got to see the cave which is a location in Game of Thrones. Then we went to Ward Castle - another Game of Thrones location. I cooked a chicken as it is one of the easiest meals to prepare when in an unfamiliar kitchen.On Monday we cleaned up and went home via the Giant’s Causeway which they loved. On Tuesday we prepared a party for Emmanuelle’s 40th birthday. Jim brought them to Derry while I prepared the fondue. We had a good night despite the oily hassle. On Wednesday we went to Inishowen - Mamore Gap, Gleneevin Waterfall. We had lunch at Glen House. On Thursday we did a drive to Rathmullan and Knockalla and Fanad - it was a beautiful day and I was struck by the thought of all our travels looking for scenic places when on our doorstep is one of the most beautiful!
On Friday Brian and Mairead came and on Saturday Brian and Mairead brought them to Glenveigh which they thoroughly enjoyed. They finished the day with a trip past the Poisoned Glen and around Bloody Foreland. We had a quiet day on Sunday - I think they went out to the Stone Circle. On Monday - their last day -  we brought them to Cruit Island and again we all loved the beautiful scenery.

Because, for us, all our trips were mainly revisiting places we knew, Jim took only a few photos some of which are below.

This is The Dark Hedges - location from The Game of Thrones. We also enjoyed the grounds of The Hedges Hotel which had tree stumps decorated as fairy dwellings.

We visited the Dunlop Memorial Garden in Ballymoney commemorating both Joey and Robert Dunlop.

The sunset on Belfast Lough seen from Will and Rachel's house.

The Red Door Cafe near Ballintoy Harbour.

Ward Castle - a Game of Thrones location. We did a really long walk here.

Not the Dark Hedges but quite a pretty corridor.

Some of the nice views during our walk in the grounds of Castle Ward.

Gleneevin Waterfall - since then the whole area has been destroyed by the flood late August.

July 31st 2017 - Kedleston Hall

Having missed Kedleston Hall the other day we were determined to visit and today it was open. This is a spectacular 18th century mansion and the most opulent of all the houses we have seen. It was designed by famous architect Richard Adam as a house to rival Chatsworth for Sir Nathaniel Curzon in 1765. It was never meant to be a family home but a canvas on which to display the finest paintings, sculpture and furniture.

The floor in the Marble Hall dates back to the 1760s and its condition is deteriorating. The pillars were originally smooth but I can't remember when they were changed to this format.

I loved the way the decorative plaster was made to hold the paintings.

I would really love one of these 18th century Reading Chairs. It would be so comfortable and so conducive to concentration!

This is an absolutely magnificent desk and in great condition. To the left is a drawer that pulls out the length of the desk which means that the top drawers at the top are fake. I loved it!

In this formal dining room the paintings are all connected to the theme of food.

This was a wonderful exhibit - the dress is 115 years old and it looks fantastic. The first time it was worn was to the Delhi Durbar in 1903 to celebrate the 1902 coronation of King Edward VII. It was worn by Lady Mary Curzon wife of the viceroy Lord Curzon who owned Kedleston Hall.

The emerald like eye of each plume is set with iridescent green beetle wings and the embroidery is gold and silver. It must have been horrendously heavy to wear! The dress was later altered to reflect the change in fashion

We then went for a 2-3km walk in the grounds.

We then visited the Church in the grounds.

We thoroughly enjoyed the visit and then went to Newark to collect Stephen who was working that day in Carol's museum. The heavens opened as we wandered Newark but we managed to get to the car for shelter before we were drenched.

Tomorrow home for a day before our 3 French guests arrive!