Day 29 - sunny day touring the south and east of Northern Ireland. 8.00am kickoff - along a bunch of backroads, past a lot of new pakatial country houses - must be money here), over the Mountains of Mourne (hills actually, but felt remote. bit like Central Otago - see pic. still growing potatoes) and breakfast at Neptunes Locker Cafe, Kilkeel harbour. Heaps of fishing boats and a bunch of old duffers telling bulls*** stories at the cafe. Then a quick drive up t...

Day 28 - 16May - sunny, warm 6.00am start in Eastbourne, cold cloudy finish in Portadown. It was a logistics day, had to be at Gatwick Airport by 8am for flight at 10am. It was sad to say goodbye to Steph and Phil, but mostly happy especially knowing that Sam had renewed this old family relationship. I think I’m getting a bit punch-drunk with the relentless travel, non-compos frontline staff and ridiculous airport security.That said I did finally end up drivi...

Day 27 - 15 May. Weather cloudy and cool - slow start. First goal was to visit the Rose and Crown Pub in Mayfield about 50km from Eastbourne . Sal & Jeff visited the R&C pub back in the 79s with Adam Legg - a fabulous old pub, low ceiling, where best if all, they played shove ha’penny. The Rose & Crown was still in business (many old pubs had ceased to operate with stricter drink/drive law enforcement and changing social habits (TV, social media etc). Turned o...

Day 26 - 14May. Sad day - had to deliver Sam to Heathrow Airport and say goodbye for now. Phil did the honours driving 4hr 30min - tough driving in heavy traffic - thank you Phil!! It had been a rare treat having Sam along on this part of the trip. As always his presence makes everyone feel good - especially his Dad. It will be good catch up with Sam again and the rest of his family in Oklahoma - couple weeks time. Then it was back to Vicarage Road and a long s...

Day 25 - 13 May. Sam & Jeff moving on from Wokingham to Eastbourne - from cousin (Nigel) to cousin (Stephie Nicol). Nigel dropped us off at Pease Pottage on the M23 near Gatwick and lo and behold among the 1000s of cars there was Phil Jury (Steph’s husband) to pick us up. Was a great relief to once again have a capable native guide and it wasn’t long before we pulled up in front of 77 Vicarage Road. Eastbourne. It was like a homecoming to a place we’d neve...