Pony Rides

On Sunday, we had the opportunity to spend time with Anne Marie's (our exchange partner) family. They have a beautiful home with a georgeous view of the Mourne Mountians. They also keep horses much to my kids' delight. We took a walk through the forest while the kids took turns riding the pony. Avery, was a natural. She thinks she wants a horse now!

Elise wasn't too sure about it at first and then warmed up and enjoyed it.

Ian jumped on and was away...

Gabe "negotiating" whether he should attempt a ride on the pony or not. He was making a "deal".

Throwing rocks in the river.

The outcome of Gabe's negotiations. "If you ride the pony...I will ride the pony."

Sucess! We had a lovely time.

The Crown Bar

We finally made it to one of the best know pubs in Northern Ireland which happens to be a National Trust property as well. The pub was established in 1885. It's known for its elaborate tiling, stained glass, and woodwork. The craftsmen who helped renovate the pub were Italians who were brought over to work on the churches in the area.

We have recently made good friends with a couple who participated in the Fulbright exchange last year. So, we have had lots of good conversations comparing our experiences and sharing our stories. They were great company and we enjoyed our evening together at the Crown. We even got a chance to grab a "snug" or enclosed booth. They originally built these booths to accommodate the pub's reserved customers during the Victorian period.

Elise's 3rd Birthday

On Sunday our little "Lissy Lou" turned three years old. She wanted a "miss piggy" party after her favorite stuffed animal. We invited our neighbors and another family who Elise knows from playgroup and school.
I think that she had fun. We played a couple of games, opened presents, and had cake and ice-cream. What more could you want?

Lots of hugs and kisses all around.

Blowing out her birthday candles. We were blessed by the friends we have made here and the enjoyable time we had celebrating.

A walk along the Lagan River Towpath

A couple of weeks ago when the sun was out. We finally took a walk along the Lagan River. The towpath stretches from Belfast to Lisburn. Along the way we were lucky to see a seal swimming alongside.
We ended at one of the Lock Keepers cabins. Where there was a cafe and picnic area. The lock keepers helped the boats navigate up and down the Lagan River.
We had a surprise encounter as we walked this path. We actually ran into a friend from college that we knew 14 years ago and had no idea he was in Belfast. Since then we have gotten together to share college memories and catch up on our lives. It was an amazing chance meeting.

Praying

Back Garden Friends

Neighborhood Fun!

On the first day that it reached 65 degrees everyone was ready for a water fight. It felt like summer. The kids are playing with their good friend, Chris from next door.

Isabella and Elise have become best buddies and their favorite thing to do is to call for one another through the fence that separates our "gardens".

Friends are for eating "sweeties" together.

In Chris' back garden playing.

Passing the ball back and forth, one of their favorite games.

Easter Break-Final Day

The City of Derry/Londonderry

Before making our way home we stopped off at another impressive ring fort. This one was called Grianan Aileach. It sat right outside of the city of Derry and came with an impressive view. The fort was made sometime in the Iron Age around the time of Christ and was a royal stronghold to the O'Neil clan. The dry-stone walls are 12 feet thick and 18 feet tall. We loved this fort because you could run/walk along the upper walls.

The interior sanctuary was 80 feet in diameter.

The great walled city of Derry was the next stop. Derry or Londonderry has a tumultuous history. The city is geographically located in the Republic of Ireland but when Ireland was being divided up the North kept the city for economic reasons. Thus this city has seen many conflicts throughout it's life. The walls around the city were built in 1613 and are almost 20 feet high and form a mile long loop. In 1688 a group of apprentice boys slammed the city gates shut in the face of the approaching Catholic forces of King James II. The Protestant defenders were kept inside through months of negotiations which was followed by a 105 day siege. 20,000 refugees and defenders died within the city walls. In 1689 the siege was broken by supply ships breaking through a boom and the new King William of Orange arrived in Ireland and defeated James at the Battle of the Boyne. This is just one of the many battles fought in this city. We took the mile long walk along the top of these walls.

Looking over the top of these walls we saw the murals of the Bogside. This is the gut retching historical site of so much sectarian violence. In the '60s the Catholics were fighting for their civil rights, better housing, fair voting rights, and to end employment discrimination. The British Army was called in to keep the peace.

This is the H block memorial to the Hunger Strikers. The Hunger Strikers died while in prison refusing to be treated like criminals, refused to wear the prison uniforms or eat in hopes to be treated as legitimate political prisoners.

The Bloody Sunday memorial. In 1972, a group protested and marched around the Bogside neighborhood. They were fired upon by members of a British regiment, who claimed that snipers had fired on them first. The result were 14 civilian deaths and tensions mounted.

Two brothers and a friend started painting the murals along the Bogside neighborhood in 1994.

There was a powerful sense of sorrow felt in my gut as I walked, read, and looked through these paintings and memorials.

The British army withdrew it's forces from Londonderry in 2007 and there is now a feeling of cautious optimism as the city continues to learn from it's history and recover from the pain of so many losses.