Hometown, Hardware and Hostess Caroline

On Saturday morning we left our lovely garden surround at Tudor Farm to make the journey into our North Irish hometown, Irvinestown.  The farms and dwellings of many cousins are in the area.

I remember visiting in this little town with my parents in 1968.  It hasn't changed much and the old church clock tower still guards the cemetery where my great, great grandparents are buried.  I wish I had taken a picture.  The shopping was just too much fun.  Our hour visit to the hardware store might have been a frustration to the clerks.  They had to dodge us in the narrow aisles on a busy morning.
But Oh, the small woodstoves, small appliances, cookware, teapots and table settings.  Much to see for tiny house lovers.

We stopped for a hike at Castle Archdale Park and found a busy little campground with lots of Halloween activities going on.  The autumn colors of the huge old trees set a nice background for our walk down to  Lough Erne before returning to our B&B.

See our little Citroen C1 to the left by our entrance door.  We rested a bit before our long awaited dinner invite to Caroline's.  As soon as we set our plans for the trip Caroline invited us to dinner.  (That was over 4 months ago.)  My most recent trip to Ireland was for Caroline and Dean's wedding on Lusty Beg Island - in view from our B&B.  Caroline and Dean have a lovely home that we were eager to see.

The sun was beaming down on Lusty Beg Island as we left for dinner.

The farm, Ferney, where Caroline grew up has always been a favorite dinner invite for many past visits.  Her parents, George and Maureen, have made us so welcome and invited other cousins too-including Robert and his mini-bag pipes and Jean with her accordion.  It was nice George and Maureen could be Caroline's guests this time.

We had been told what a great cook Caroline had become, but had no idea of the feast that awaited us.  The table was set like a cooking magazine cover and the bowls of food were too many to fit on the table.  I ate enough for 2 people and then it was time for dessert; Caroline's specialty.  There were 7 different desserts.  I can't even name them all.  My favorites were the Apple-Blackberry Crumble, with homemade ice cream and the Custard Triffle.

It was wonderful to sit around the woodstove after dinner and chat with George and Maureen and share our experiences in Dean's home country, England. Dean and Caroline reminded us to add Wiltshire to our next visit.  The evening ended with a great visit from Alan, Caroline's brother  and Lana, his wife.  Our fine time together was just too short!!