Golfing

Oh, how I've missed playing real golf. Even though I really enjoy playing indoor golf with my mates in Suzhou it just doesn't compare with the real thing. Although I feel like more of a golfer indoors! I've played some amazing courses in Donegal over the last few weeks, they have so many to choose from it just means that I'll need to come back to play a few more.

From the little course at Gweedore, complete with sheep and fences to the lush, finely manicured fairways of Falcarragh and then to the wonderful links courses at Rosapenna (Old Tom Morris course) and Narin & Portnoo. The courses are so well designed and each one has a different challenge on top of my own insufficient golf skills. Real links courses with very unforgiving rough and fantastic views.

Narin & Portnoo Golf course 

Old Tom Morris course at Rosapenna

I also went to watch some real golf at the British Open at Hoylake, Liverpool. I had booked tickets for the Friday and it was brilliant. I saw all the big hitters and spent about 12 hours on course in total. A fantastic experience to see a Golf Major.

Looking at the 18th, 17th and 15th holes at Hoylake, I watched from the top of the middle Grandstand for a few hours.

Some of the thousands on course, looking back up the 14th.

At the 18th.

Ireland - Donegal

We are in the lush land of Ireland, county Donegal.  This is land of plenty - plenty of beer, wine, meat and dairy products oh and golf for Bevan.  All the things we love.  The quote of the holiday is from Samuel - "too much sun".  Anyone who has been here knows that this part of the country is not exactly famous for the sun but as Samuel hasn't seen the sun through the smog in over a year he can be forgiven.

The atmosphere and the people here really make the place.  The pubs are always humming.  The kids have enjoyed being on a Gaelic football holiday programme for one week as well as hanging out at the beach and playing on go karts, kicking the ball around and Samuel managed to spot some golf clubs so has been putting in a fair bit of effort fine tuning his skills.

Despite the weather - it has rained at some point nearly every day, we have been out and about on a few adventures including climbing Mt Errigal, overnight trip to Tory Island, boat trip, to the cinema which is a real treat for us, ten pin bowling, donkey rides - the list goes on.  Here are a few pictures from our trip here.

Bev and Mackenzie ontop of Mt Errigal

Fishing for sea creatures with Aunty Debby

Fun at the beach with Caitlyn

Pedal Power - watch out as Samuel is steering

My rock climing monkeys

Port at Tory Island

Paris beautiful Paris

The city of love and beauty.  We had a brilliant time in Paris exploring the streets and enjoying the atmosphere.  Managed to make it to the top of the Eiffel Tower which was a brilliant experience again.  Also good for Bevs dad.  The line was only an hour long so not too bad really.  Notre Dame was amazing as was the Sacre Coeur and Montmarte.  We all enjoyed Disneyland while Bevs dad explored Paris a little more.

 The troops at Sacre Coeur

 Gandad and Samuel at Notre Dame

 Cafe in Montmarte

 Disneyland Fun

We had a fun filled day at Disneyland.  The lines were not too bad.  We left home at 8.30am and got back at 10.30pm.  Lots of laughs.  Even got to meet Mickey Mouse.

Kids at the top of the Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower

 Mackenzie enjoying the Cafe lifestyle of Paris

Made a compulsory trip to the one and only

Returning to London

After leaving London a decade ago we finally managed to return, this time with Mackenzie, Samuel and Grandad with us. We realized how lucky we were to live in such a great city and had a great time just exlploring, catching buses and of course the tube. We stayed with great hosts in Woodgreen, Kevin and Zaza who we found through airbnb.