Sunday in the rain and Monday in the sun

Leaving Belfast it seemed only right to take the coastal route to see the Mountains of Mourne. Apparently on a day with sun, or at least no rain, one actually sees some very impressive mountains. We, however, did not. There were signposts guiding the journey so the GPS was a mere added extra. One sign pointed to an upper loop higher up on the mountain side. It was shrouded in fog. Having been in fog on other precarious routes, we opted not to bother. Photo-ops would have totalled zero. As it was they totalled almost zero. The one exception was the photo I posted on Facebook of a sign that said: A balanced diet consists in having a glass of wine in each hand. Hardly worth posting here as it's on FB.

Now the longest part of the journey, Belfast to near Dublin airport, was good, if you don't count the endless rain and inability to see any scenery beyond a couple of hundred yards. The real excitement began when trying to get to John's hotel near the airport - the Clayton. I've stayed there in the past and knew it was on the "other" side of the motorway from the airport. If you have been on the motorway near Dublin airport you'll know of the lovely roundabouts, multiple choice exits and heavy traffic. The combination was, well, daunting. We saw a few of the roundabouts several times, experimenting with various exits. We ended up south of the airport, north of the airport and seemingly stuck in a time warp on the airport side of the motorway. Frustrating - not half! And the GPS was chatting madly about all directions.

Eventually we found the hotel, and leaving the car in a taxi zone, with me waiting inside in case of "approach of the Garda", John checked in. Then it was off to arrange a few details of the car rental with Hertz.

Having circled the airport a few times already it seemed like a straightforward and short trip back some of the ways we had come. Well, it was shorter but not without a couple of wrong turns once more. Eventually we got to Hertz and settled the details.

There was no further need for a second driver which was pretty easy to sort out. However, I was not happy with the car. It was a Renault, Capital - sort of an SUV that felt much bigger than it measured. I sat quite low despite being told it was higher than a sedan. Besides, you can't find stuff in a Renault. I'm sure there was a clock on the dash someplace but after a week we had still not located it. I'd come to loathe the vehicle and wanted something with a smaller feel, but still automatic.

I was offered an Audi - an upgrade but offered because the VW Golf I wanted was unavailable. The transaction was almost complete when the Hertz man said, by the way it takes petrol not diesel. Diesel is cheaper and gets better mileage. Oops. Then he offered me a Ford Focus and brought the smile back to my face.

Now I have a nice vehicle, with a clock, with easily found accessories like lights and wipers, and it's a diesel. Life is good.

After dropping John back at the hotel I had a moment of doubt that the GPS would get me through the maze of the "near the airport" traffic obstacles, but it was unwarranted. I managed to follow directions completely and was back at Moss Cottage in about 90 minutes. It was still raining.

This morning however, after a reasonable night's sleep, was sunny and mild - in a word, glorious. I'd guess it came close to 10C today. I did a couple of loads of laundry and if the clothes dry overnight, I'll be all set to face the world in clean clothing once again. I chatted for a bit with Brian who showed me some of the flowers in his fantastic garden. I'd be more than happy to identify them should I ever remember to ask him again what they are called. One is a double and the other is not - both are lovely. And it's FEBRUARY!!

The old building is the Fever Hospital after which this street is named - Hospital Hill. Can only see it when the leaves are scarce on the trees.

Later I walked into town and briefly stopped in the tourist office. I never did that last year. As it happens, there is a play on Tues-Wed and Thur nights at the local high school. It's a production by the drama group that won the All-Ireland competition last year so you can be sure I'll go to one of the shows Tues or Wed. On Thursday it's story-telling night, relocated to the library this time. I believe I'll drive as it's a bit far to walk home at night. Usually it's at St Aiden's hall about 300 yds from my door.

And that, dear readers, brings you up to the minute except for a genealogy alert. Should you have no interest in my family line, do stop now.

While in Belfast at the conference I did speak with a few people who offered some suggestions on my Northern Ireland connection. One variation on a surname has not led to any new discoveries. However, a passing thought over the past couple of years, has led me to start pursuing someone who is possibly the brother of a three times great grandfather and from that maybe, just maybe, I will find more of the guy I'm really looking for.

Today, checking my latest DNA results at ancestry.com, I found a connection to the Sewards. Yay! They were in NY, Brooklyn area, and I've found very little about them. Fingers crossed that my message brings a reply.

Sometime before Christmas I'd made a DNA connection on a maternal line - likely McGrath but maybe Maher. The person I'm related to lives in Enniscorthy, about 15 miles away. We've corresponded but I obviously forgot to mention that I'd be in Belfast on the weekend. He stopped by the cottage. Now it seems the phone number he provided probably has a digit switched, so I sent off another email. Fingers crossed.

Also potentially a route to cover in the next two weeks, is the trail of a Walsh gg grandparent, and maybe a Mcdonald. Both come from an area about 15 miles in another direction near Bagnelstown. I'll have to make a few notes before heading madly off in that direction to see if there might be any evidence to be found there.