After leaving Newcastle at a very early hour to avoid being on the same bus as the girl at the hostel I arrived in Belfast. (see last blog posting for details about this girl) Compared to Dublin Belfast is a beautiful city. I am staying at a hostel for two nights and then a guesthouse for another two nights. The hostel was very busy and the room with a total of 12 people in it was a bit much. The guy in the bunk above me talked in his sleep and tossed like a dying fish all night and the guy on the bunk beside me snored. Not much sleep that first night. (July 27) Belfast album

I took a bus tour further north to see the Giant's Causeway and a number of castles. The Giant's Causeway is amazing. The only World Heritage Site in all of Ireland and supposedly the 8th Wonder of the World. Take a look at the photo's I have posted to get an idea of that it was like. Sort of like big Lego blocks all stacked together. We left for the tour at 9:30 in the morning and had great weather for the entire trip until we got to the Giants Causeway and then it RAINED and BLEW a gale. Soaked once again imagine that! (July 28) Giants Causeway and Belfast album

Another bus tour this time on a double decker bus through Belfast. I was sitting on the top deck of course to get as good a view as possible. I realized I had not brought my sun screen and for once it was bright and sunny and I was worried about burning my nose yet again. No need to worry about that though. We left the bus stop and drove no more than 200mtr turned left and with in minutes the rain came down and the wind blew again. See the photos. So for nearly 2 hours it rained on and off. I didn't need the sunscreen after all. (July 29) Giants Causeway and Belfast album

Moved to a new guesthouse yesterday. The hostel was just to much in the end. I am on the top floor of the terrace house. Six flights of stairs and no elevator. Very nice guest house with cooked breakfast included. Today is a paper work day and organization before I go to Manchester and Lanceshire tomorrow. (July 30) Giants Causeway and Belfast album

I flew from Belfast to Manchester this afternoon then a train to Bolton and Mom's friend Grace sent a taxi for me. Mom and Grace worked together in the Scottish Gas Board (in Edinburgh) in 1959 and have kept in touch ever since. Grace was very kind and I had a place to stay for a couple of days. We were up talking until after midnight. (July 31) Bury, Lanceshire album

The weather is not improved since I have arrived in Northern Ireland. Please send some of that sunshine you are getting on Vancouver Island.

That is all for now. Take care of yourselves and I will keep you posted.

Tove