Happy Birthday Sarah Brooke

HAPPY NINETEENTH BIRTHDAY, BROOKE!!!

Paris - Day Three

Paris - Day Two

Day two was Sunday. We got on the metro and rode it out of the outskirts of the city to one of the most special meetings I have been in.

Our meeting hosts. Sylvan and Louise. Louise is from Canada. 

                                    

Front of the Notre Dame.

Inside. (Sans flash)

Back of the Notre Dame.

Window gawking. A super sweet printing press.

Paris - Day One

Paris. It was good, stressful, delicious, rainy, annoying, beautiful, and not tourist-oriented.

Top of the list. We were a 5 minute walk! 

Just a Ferrari.

Entrance to tunnel where Princess Di was killed.

Memorial on the bridge above the tunnel.

The fashions of Paris...

Lanterns everywhere!

The Louvre is enormous!!!

In this little grocery store, there was an adorable French boy who wanted to know if we spoke English and then did anything he could to help us out. He even cut slices of an apple to let us find our favorite one. He was a-typical...

Friday

We had stopped yesterday in a bustling little town with lots of cute stores, but the Causeway was calling our name and we didn’t get to explore it all. We decided to go back “first thing” this morning. I should mention that we are becoming just like the locals; staying up late and getting up (too) late! We left Coleraine, with Starbucks (!!!!!) in one hand and some super exciting purchases in the other! We set off down the country through beautiful sun showers; we didn’t see any rainbows. Our destination was Bangor, County Down. My mom’s cousin and her husband; James and Isobel Graham. They live in the cutest little bay town outside Belfast. We arrived and after a brief cup of coffee we set off for the Mountains of Mourn. These mountains are very dramatic; sweeping down sharply into the sea. It’s a crazy contrast. The beaches are also very rugged and covered in beautiful stones. We had an amazing meal at a lodge, all the food we've had here has been amazing. I need to start a diet...sometime soon. We spent the evening chatting and laughing; the way friends do. 

Scrabble Tower

Wednesday

After forty winks, our alarms went off at 3:15 and we set off to see my Uncle Ian in his bakery. He bakes at night, and delivers to local groceries before they open in the morning. We watched, in awe of his expertise, as he kneaded, rolled, shaped, and worked dough for soda bread. Two hours later, we left with some goodies and drove back to my Aunt Mary’s to catch a few more hours of sleep.

After saying goodbye to Mary and Graham, we went over to my mom’s cousins to see his sheep! He had 300 ewes and Jananne needed a sheep-fix!

Then, off to the Antrim Coast. Our destination: Giants Causeway. The Causeway is on the tippidy top of the island. It’s also on the tippidy top of the must see list! It’s a natural wonder. It looks like a quarry of perfectly molded pillars. It offers hours of exploring and shooting. I can’t describe it!!! Just look at the pictures! :)