Stroke City Again

Every year I hope for a decent summer and wish for an Indian summer. This year my hopes and wishes came true. At the back of my mind I worry that this is climate change in action then, being sensible, remember that climate change and the weather are different things. Still, it is good to know that fine summers are not a thing of the past.

The hedgerows are loaded with berries and, as always, I've been out picking blackberries, I've not had to walk further than ten minutes from the house to gather pounds and pounds of them. Stretching for the juiciest berries, always high in the hedge, is doing wonders for my stiff shoulders. It's a bitter sweet thing gathering blackberries for I'm loaded with memories of my younger days and remembering 2012, gathering berries for consolation as my dear cousin Joe lay dying.

I hope the Indian summer continues into October as we expect many family visitors. Ganching is doing a tour of Ireland and Vancouver Brother will be here in just over a week. He is including London and France in his grand tour. Leitrim Sister will be popping up at some point, London Sister is expected near the end of the month and everything would be complete if Kerry Sister could make Antrim this side of Christmas.

And I've just had daughter Katy and her husband to stay. It was little more than a long weekend but still a delight to have them. On Tuesday we went to Derry on the train. It was rather a dull day but we were able to appreciate the spectacular scenery between Coleraine and the Maiden City, described by Michael Palin as “one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the world”.

We visited the murals in the Bogside and Mark was taken aback to see graffiti stating 'Brits Out.' Katy was quick to reassure him that this didn't apply to the average Englishman, rather to the British state and government. I'm not certain that he was completely consoled by this knowledge.

Katy and Mark in the Craft Village

Derry is not a big city and the part within its walls is small too. We visited Bedlam and I noted that the crocheted and knitted cladding is looking less vibrant than before. The weather takes its toll. The Bernadette mural in the Bogside is in need of restoration too. Before Derry became the City of Culture many of its buildings were dilapidated and overgrown with buddleia. Now there are signs of a return to dilapidation. Despite this I love Derry, I love its history and I love its vibrancy. Some say that it is a violent city by night but I find its people to be incredibly welcoming and friendly.

On the way home we sat on the other side of the train, the side that does not look out to the sea and instead admired the hills. A worthwhile visit for sure and I look forward to going back very soon.

Places we enjoyed visiting in Stroke City.

Derry's Walls

St Augustine's Church

The Craft Village

The Guildhall

Bedlam

The Bogside Murals

Day Out In Stroke City

Yesterday Zoe and I went on a trip to Derry. We went on a train that smelled of farts. In Derry we walked the walls, took in some history and visited some shops. There are three shops in Derry that are well worth every penny of the train fare - even if you just go in to look.


I really like a proper old-fashioned book shop and Foyle Books is just that. I complimented the proprietor on the delightfulness of his shop and he said,

That's a nice compliment all the way from Scotland!

It's Ballymena actually but I know what you mean.

He was a Surn Ironer himself so I excused the mistake. Once in London an African stopped to ask me directions. I said I couldn't help him as I was from Ireland myself. He said,

Oh what part of Ireland are you from? Dublin or Glasgow?

Another interesting shop, and forgive me - for in my hurry to get inside and look around I didn't note the name, was devoted to quilts and quilting. In my youth I was keen on patchwork and would have thought I was in heaven if I'd had access to such glories. But a part of me thought it was too easy to have such awesome fabrics to hand. I trawled jumble sales and recycled garments to make my quilts.


But by far the best shop was this one.


And here are some of the the treasures to be found within.

I fear I must have lived among the Protestants too long for I only recognised Mother Teresa. Does anyone recognise any of her heavenly chums?

More Things Pearlie Doesn't Like

The Kitchen Tiles

In the New House

Pearlie: I dinny like those tiles. I’d sooner have the red tiles.

Nelly: Do you not like them? Funny’s enough I love them. They’re my favourite tiles in the whole house. I waited weeks to get those tiles I love them so much.

Pearlie: Well I dinny like them.

Cursing

Cullybackey Road Roundabout

Nelly: Would you come on to hell out of that? Sitting there like an eedjit!

Pearlie: (slapping Nelly’s arm) Stop that oul sweering.

Nelly: Sure I only said hell.

Pearlie: Saying hell is a terrible thing.

Nelly: Well you shouldn’t have slapped me. You could have put me off the road.

Pearlie: Sure it was only a wee light tap. Like this. (Slaps Nelly again to prove point)

Nelly: You nearly had me off the road there again. See when we get out to Matty’s you’re going in the back seat. Matty never slaps me for swearing at the other drivers.

Donkeys

The road to Magherafelt

Matty: There’s an awful lot of piebald horses about the country these days.

Nelly: Aye, there is. And I’m noticing a lot of people are back to keeping donkeys too.

Pearlie: Aye, the donkeys were very scarce there a while back.

Matty: They’ve got very dear too. They say you couldn’t get a donkey now for less than £500.

Nelly: I’m going to ask Bert to buy me a donkey for Christmas.

Pearlie. A donkey! What would ye want him to get ye a donkey for?

Nelly: I think they’re lovely.

Pearlie: Ye have no need of a donkey. I think it’s terrible you expecting Bert to spend all that money on ye.

Nelly: OK. I’ll ask him to get me a laptop then.

Pearlie: A laptop! That’s terrible. Sure ye hae a computer. What do ye want another one for……..

The outside bit of a wee cheesecake bun.

In Mrs Ditty’s of Dawson City

Nelly: So that’ll be two cups of coffee and two fruit scones. What about you Pearlie?

Pearlie: I’ll have tea for I dinny like the coffee ye get when ye’re oot for it’s too strong. And I dinny like scones so I’ll have a wee plain bun.

Waitress: A wee cheesecake bun?

Pearlie: Aye that’ll do.

Moments later Pearlie dashes up to confab with waitress. Returns.

Pearlie: I’m no getting a cheesecake bun. I like the inside bit o’ them but I dinny like the outside bit.

Derry

On Toome’s new bridge

Nelly: Well that’s us back in the County Antrim now.

Pearlie: Why? Where were we?

Nelly: We were in Derry.

Pearlie: Were we in Derry? Ye mean Londonderry! Ye should call it Londonderry!

Nelly: Sure I can call it whatever I like.

Pearlie: Ye should call it Londonderry for that’s its name. Ye live in this country and that’s what it’s called in this country. Why don’t ye call it Londonderry?

Nelly: Because I’m a Fenian. Fenians don’t say Londonderry. What do you call it Matty?

Matty: I call it Derry City.

Pearlie: Well yez should call it Londonderry!

Aah. The old arguments are always the best.

Banties shiteing on her doorstep.

Back Home

Pearlie: Och. Them wee gets. Messing up my doorstep.

Nelly: You’ll not be bothered with that when I have them in a run with all the other fowl I’m getting.

Pearlie: What! They’ll be in no pen.

Nelly: They will. I’m not having them shiteing all over my house.

Pearlie: They’ll not go near your house.

Nelly: They’ll not for they’ll be in a run with all their new friends.

Pearlie: They’ll be in no pen.

Nelly. They’ll be in a run or they’ll be in a pot. For broth.

Pearlie: Humph!