Ferry to Northern Ireland and Co. Fermanagh

I am fortunate enough to have visited family in Ireland on 7 visits since 1968.  My parents made many more visits and once they took the ferry from Scotland I think.  Since Terry and I love ferry travel and I had always wanted a notion of Ireland's distance from England, we took the ferry from Liverpool.  We boarded the ferry at 9am for a 10:30 departure and arrived in Belfast at 6:30pm. The trip took a full day on the Irish Sea, south of the Isle of Man and up the coast of Northern Ireland.  It was cloudy and windy as we approached the Isle.

The weather cleared as we passed St. John Pt. Lighthouse ( I think) on the end of Ireland's Ards Peninsula.

The sun set into the sea as we approached the Belfast Harbor.

The beautiful ferry trip views kept us busy going from our bow front table out to the decks on each side.  The tea and meal service was pleasant too.

We spent 2 rest days at a lovely farm B&B near Belfast.  The breakfasts were wonderful-great fresh berries of all sorts each morning and lovely farm hill views.  Our cousin, Gwen escorted and hosted us at her home a few miles away with a fantastic welcome dinner with her family.  It was great to be at 'home' there again.

 My Irish family originated in Co. Fermanagh in the central Lough Erne area.  So we were soon off for the weekend to a lakeside B&B about an hour and a half away.  Gwen packs the best lunch and snack bag in Ireland so we found a perfect view spot to enjoy it.

Autumn in Ireland is really beautiful and many 'locals' told us this was one of the prettiest in years.  Not bad, eh?

Terry and I had never stayed near the Lough so this B&B location was just perfect!  Here's the view!

Needless to say we were enchanted!  Our room had it's own patio and a couch and extra bed!  Spacious!!

Best of all was the very special time with our family.  My cousin, Letty , invited us for supper and tea at her house on the day we arrived.  Supper is usually about 7pm after a nice chat by the peat fire and then about 8:30 or 9 pm it's time for tea.  After a supper that's always a feast,  I am amazed that I can find room for tea and more delicious snacks and desserts ( like just a "wee tart").  Letty's daughter, Avril, and her 2 adorable children came for tea.  We had a wonderful time together!  I shared with them our vow to never stay away as long again (8 years)!!