Wednesday was our rest day. We ran some errands in the morning and then headed into city center to find some much needed maps for when Micah’s family arrives. The evening was spent cleaning the Ark in preparation for hosting Cami's sister, nephew and friends.
Thursday we spent the day in the office: Micah worked on grant applications; Lucy worked on continuing to find a volunteer for October since one backed out when his mother became ill. In the evening we headed over to the Ember for a James’ specialty: beer-butt chicken. James cooks a full chicken with a bunch of spices rubbed on it and a can a beer up the rear end. It may sound a bit odd, but turns into a quite tender meat! The evening was spent around the table chatting and having a good craic in typical Ember form.
Friday we had an allotment party since the lads were off work. Micah, Scott, Lucy, Thomas and Larry all headed up in the morning. We spent the morning picking strawberries and raspberries, mowing and weeding. Makiko, Noah and Matthew joined us at lunch time for a barbecue and more weeding, picking of broad beans, peas, garlic and kale. It was a full and tiring day, but also a great day of fun up in the beautiful and quiet allotment. When we got back to the Ember, we used some of the veggies from the allotment to make a soup for dinner before heading back to the Ark to crash after a hard day’s work.
Thomas.
BARBECUE!!
Larry inspecting the old broken down Volvo at the allotment.
On Saturday we were present in the Ember. It was a hard day! Jillian was in bad form. She woke up in bad form and stayed that way most of the day. No matter what we were doing she was not a happy camper until we went to Rose Week at Lady Dixon Park. She then enjoyed interacting with Thomas and seeing the beautiful roses as well as hearing the harp music.
Sunday was our one year anniversary!! So we headed to church at City Church then we took the train to Bangor to celebrate. Bangor is a village about a 30 minute train from Belfast situated on the Belfast Lough and the Irish Sea. We were able to spend Sunday and Monday in a bed and breakfast in Bangor to relax and realize that it has already been one year since we got married!! Once we arrived, we walked around a bit and then checked into our B&B. After making a plan for dinner, we sat out by the water before heading for tapas. The evening was spent with backgammon and Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang (which Micah fell asleep during!!).
Monday we were treated to a deluxe breakfast! We both started out with delicious fresh fruit and a hearty portion of porridge before Micah enjoyed an Irish Fry and Lucy tried duck eggs. Way too much food but way good! After breakfast when we thought the weather had cleared up, we began a walk on the beach. We had fun climbing on rocks and enjoying the view across the Lough until the rain began. The mile walk back to the B&B in the rain and wind along the beach was not as much fun especially when we only had brought along one pair of trousers. The lesson we learned: it can always rain no matter what the weather forecast says so always pack 2 pairs of trousers. Luckily our B&B hosts were gracious enough to dry our trousers for us AND there were robes in our room so they didn’t even have to see us trouser-less. Once our trousers were dry it was time for dinner (now we were especially thankful for a big breakfast since we had missed lunch), we decided to eat at a place called Papa Joes New Orleans. The Cajun food was a nice change of pace from our typical plate here even though we doubt it was too authentic. We took a nice walk back from the restaurant along the water and then enjoyed a sit by the water outside the B&B.
The B&B
Beautiful!
The harbor.
Our adventure on the beach in the rain.
Tuesday we were up early. We needed to be back in Belfast for a meeting at 10 so that meant breakfast at 7:30. No fear we still got a delicious and big breakfast. The beginning was the same and then Micah tried a salmon omelette and Lucy had the Irish Fry. After race walking (at least as well as we could after that breakfast!) to the train station we slid through the doors just before the train pulled out. After an express commuter train back to Belfast we walked the 1.2 miles back to the Ark just in time to get trained in how to give medicine. Up to this point, only support staff have been able to administer medicine to core members, but as of Tuesday, the volunteers are also allowed to give medicine! We are not allowed to punch the pills out of the pack!! Woot woot! It was a long and tedious training, but we passed the quiz! Then it was off to the office to try to recruit volunteers and get money through grants!
Today has been a crazy day. We were present in the Ember in the morning. Then have been trying to set up a bank account (again). After 3 months ours that we did set up is closing because we cannot prove our residence here since we are not paying any utilities. So, we have to open another one, and use the bank statement from the previous bank to prove our residency. Seem a little silly? AND we didn’t even have exactly the right paperwork so we will have to go back, but it will have to wait till after holidays! So we have been to city centre twice today which would be a hassle for most people, but with no car it is a big hassle to walk/bike in especially when one of the bikes breaks part way in!!! This evening has been a quiet evening in the Ember, Jillian is at her dad’s for the night, Thomas is at work at Common Grounds and Larry is at dinner at a friend’s house. May just has returned from Hong Kong with her family so she is unpacking and cleaning her room. Not much activity is happening in the Ember tonight!
Tomorrow we are back in the office plugging away at volunteer coordination and grant writing THEN the Loucks family arrives on Friday! We are anticipating their arrival in Belfast!! Pray for their safe travels and our safe travels around the island.
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