On our way from Perth to Toronto we stopped off in Northern Ireland for 2 and a half weeks which was great.

I got to spend great time with my family and we sorted out lots of stuff - including all our house stuff.

We had 2 car boot sales and gave the rest away to charity of the stuff we didn't want (which was about ¼ of it!).

We also spent a lot of time with Catherine, [my sister] Paul and the kids.

Rachel passed her 11+ which means she goes to Grammar School. In Northern Ireland there is a distinction between Grammar and Secondary Schools.

Matthew is growing up quickly too. He is so adorable. Here they are (above.)

The people who pass the 11+ the final exams of primary school go to the Grammar Schools and the ones who don't go to the secondary schools.

Rachel got an "A" - smart girl!!

So she is going to the same school that Catherine and I went to - Coleraine High. (Knowing what I know now I'd LOVE to go back to school).

If you are in the UK and you want to get in touch with your old school friends and work colleagues - I highly recommend this site for reconnecting you. It's FREE to post messages but if you want to get in touch with someone on there it costs you £5: www.friendsreunited.co.uk

We went on a few walks together over their visit.

We went on the cliff path in Portstewart, the smallest church in Ireland and The Giants Causeway. Why not enjoy the beauty and majesty of them for yourself!

The North Antrim Coast, Northern Ireland.
Click here it's irresistible!

We all bet on the Grand National which is the MOST FAMOUS horse race in the UK - that was a riot - about 12 of us all yelling for our horses in the one room!

We had a few winners - Catherine, Rachel, Natasha, me and Dad - and Russell also won the sweepstake at his work so he was the best off - £40!!

(Thought dinner was on you, Russell?).

We got family photos taken, this is one that EJ took with our camera, and the originals look lovely too!

Mum and Dad and EJ and I went down to Sligo for a 3 day trip - Mum and Dad had booked us a nice hotel and they had been there before.

This is the first time we were both in Sligo. Take a look for yourself at this delightful city: : Sligo in Southern Ireland

I managed to get a free ride in a helicopter for Dad and EJ which they really enjoyed - see some aerial shots of Sligo here: The Helicopter Trip

We had seaweed baths!!

The water is pumped directly in from the Atlantic Ocean and heated up and then the seaweed is placed in your bath.

In your personal room you have a bath and a shower and steam room - it is a great way to spend an hour.

The seaweed is so slimly on your skin but it has healing properties and felt great.

So we sat outside in the moonlight listening to the ocean and feeling the cool breeze for a while to cool down .

The hotel we stayed in was lovely and we usually started our day with a Jacuzzi and a plunge pool!

Well the brave ones did!!! (ummh humm Mum and EJ!!!)

CHECK OUT THE EVIDENCE FOR YOURSELF:
Into the PLUNGE POOL.