Purple Pat Posts Ponderings

Friday and Saturday

We had a busy day of presentations planned for Friday and only a few hours for sight-seeing. Richie took us to Tolleymore Forest...a beautiful mystical magical forest with bridges over 300 years old. I had been there before but went along for the ride. I stayed in the bus in the parking lot and read and did some people watching while the others enjoyed the forest. It is thought that Tolleymore was the inspiration for the forest in Narnia.

Sign at Tolleymore

We were back at RIOT just a bit late as our guests had begun to arrive. We quickly joined them for a lovely lunch and then gave our presentation. We are so encouraged by the participation of our guests. We are sensing that this is, indeed, God's timing.

There was time for walks and conversations, then the women were arriving for tea (5:30, meal). Again we sensed that the reception was more than simply Irish hospitality. This group was still visiting with us e as the 8 pm guests began arriving. As they left a couple hours later, we were certainly tired from three presentations but also greatly encouraged and yes, energized!

Later Richie came in from RIOT to remind us it was Danielle's birthday. He and the other interns, Nick and Jenna, were going out for a bit and we were invited. I opted out as did Bebe but Ladeana, Emy, Jean and Tonda joined them. They were out very late...as they experienced the "after hours" of Newcastle. Because of of alcohol and possibly weed, the scene was harsh. Richie gave rides to some and talked with several. There were some who have been in his youth groups. And there were some who are only 14 or 15. The bars serve these kids and the police turn their head. It's complicated but certainly sad. Alcohol and drugs lead to wrong choices and moral lapses. Tonda described it as depravity. If you wonder about how to pray...this is definitely one area that needs the touch of God.

The night was short but we were up and about by 8 am on Saturday! Richie arrived with an amended schedule and we were off to Belfast. We went first to St. George's Market. It was in a large hall of sorts. with entry at either end. We went in by the fish market. I noticed a bag of purple stuff that looked like seaweed. I asked and he gave us all a sample. It was very salty!! He said it had more nutrition than seaweed. It might have been called dulse or something like that.

There were dozens of booths selling food, crafts, jewelry, pottery, water color paintings, accessories, flowers and more. We did what five American women excell at...we shopped! I found a purple watch and a lovely purple scarf--two of my weaknesses. Others bought Christmas ornaments, cards and pictures. In the middle of the market, there were seats and some entertainment.

We left St. George's Market and headed for the new Titanic Exhibition! This is four floors with so much information about the Titanic.We took a wee ride that carried us past panels and short videos explaining the construction of the hull and showing the riveters at work. The scaffold for the Titanic was equivalent to 21 stories tall. The reconstructed one is only 7 stories tall. We saw letters, telegrams, dishes, period clothing and more from the Titanic or another of the Olympic lines ships. We missed the grand staircase...apparently it was closed off. It was a great tour and the only place in the world to see the shipyards where "she" was birthed. "She" added a lot to the economy of Belfast for the six years while it was under construction. It was launched and the interior "fitting" was done out in the sea. That was another year of adding boilers and smokestacks and the actual rooms. The Titanic left on this supposed six day cruise with linen for the whole trip as there were no laundry facilities on board. That included 18,000 dinner napkins. Imagine a change of sheets for the entire ship and all the other linens needed. They also had all the food on board...tons of potatoes and onions and meat and veggies and fruit!

In front of the museum

The museum itself has the look of a ship

From the museum we went downtown for a quick pop in at a Money Exchange and "hole-in-the-wall"(ATM), then shopping at Avoca (lovely woolens at a dear price!) and Cath Kittson's (purses, totes, p.j.'s, tea sets, and stationery items), lunch at a Mexican restaurant (similar to Chipotle's) and then to the Ulster Museum. This had art, natural history and the history of Ireland. This is a long and rich history! There are so many layers of history that a simple visit to the museum only whetted our appetite for more. We bought books and will study!!

Queen's University

Stained glass ...wisdom, education and others!

We made a quick trip through the gardens and greenhouses at Queen's University behind Ulster Museum.

Long pods are insect collectors...

Purple hot peppers!!

Then it was to Castlewellan to collect Deirdre and then to Richie's home where Jen welcomed us to a yummy supper of fish chowder and wheaten bread with strawberry mousse for dessert. We enjoyed the gorgeous view from their sitting room of the Mourne Mountains and the Irish Sea. We had a little time to play with the babies. Then we left and were home early and had the promise of a sleep in on Sunday as services at Newcastle Presbyterian do not begin until 11 am.