Blogs from Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, Europe - page 28

This is an exciting day! I've scheduled a tour for the coast north of Belfast. Planned - Rope Bridge, Dunluce Castle, Bushmills Distillery and the Giant's Causeway. 9:15 the tour bus came to the hotel and picked a group of us up. This didn't start off all that well, as once they picked up a few more, we went back to their headquarters, and we had to pay for the trip (which we thought we had done when we reserved). Then they advised that the £18 was actually £20, and because I was paying by Visa it would be £22. Oh, and by the way, they aren't covering any admissions (and they didn't know how much they were - so there!), all of which didn't match their brochure. Maybe I should just jump ship now!?! ... read more

Apologies - currently unable to restore. If you have a backup please edit this entry and save/publish. There is a small possibility that this entry will be restored - only small. At one point this was my proudest blog so we'll see what we can do to restore it.. ... read more

After a few days in Dublin it's time to escape to the north and go up to Belfast via the Causeway Coast. Since the changes in the north the only real difference you notice when you cross the border now is the speed limits are now in miles per hour, as are the distances on the road signs, oh and you now use pounds not the euro. This is all ok except the speedo on the ford focus rental car is not in miles. But nothing a quick bit of mental arithmetic can't solve. The causeway coast is stunning to say the least. The plan was to do a quick trip up to the top via Derry, this part of the plan fell over (a time issue) so instead I headed through Armagh and straight to ... read more

Today I feel as if all of the preparation has come good and as I am the proud owner of an Autohomes Highwayman (1989) all fit and raring to go as soon as covernote arrives and tax obtained from Ballymena. Ferry booked as planned for 3rd May(happy aniv lee + suzanne) at 22.10 so I shall cross and then make my way down to Cheshire area to look for orchids - assuming there is any more room in the van. Hope to visit Joan and Den before trogging off to Sheffield to the' gang' that evening.So in Sheffield on 4th. That's the end of the planning so far.I will sort out next stage whilst onjoying my visit to Sheffield. Just back from showing off the van. Pete asked where the spare wheel was and I don't ... read more

Here in hopefully is information that may just expedite transactions for you in the future (unles you're a clever clogs and know it already.)Whilst waiting for the van to load up I decided to begin to utilise the house money.Obviously after all bills were settled, I wished to give the kids their agreed amounts(in exces of £10000).This figure is relevant as my bank-A llliance and Leicester- will only let you put £'10000 out to designated accounts in any one day.Obviously this has not been a problem (during previous life of insolvency)so I had assumed I could continue to make payments for full amount. At 60 it gets harder to think but reasonably quickly I cracked it.4 children could get 1st £10,000 in order (one a day) and then the rota could keep repeating till all money ... read more