Day 2: Arriving to Dromara...the middle of nowhere...just the way we like it.

            Waking up over Ireland on the plane.

       I (Madison) was so excited to be in Ireland I...

      ...completely forgot about cabin pressure. 

Cue Contigo water bottle EXPLODING everywhere...

just before landing and meeting up with our lovely Irish hosts. 

Luckily the flowing fire hydrant remained contained to my lap 

(and shirt and sweater and jacket and book bag), and no other 

passengers were harmed. The Irishman, Ammon, sitting next to me

(who strategically let out a single cough every 25 to 66 seconds for 

the +6 hour flight) was amused and, of course, let out a...single chuckle.

So we arrived safely and sailed through Irish "customs", if it can even be properly called that. No declarations of your bringings, just an address of your destination. And where is ours you ask?Dromara, Northern Ireland to stay with Irish friends, Gareth and Joy and baby Oliver Bell. When we revealed our destination to some Irish engineers before boarding the plane in Philly, their comment was (cue Irish accent), "Dromara?! That's in the middle 'a nowhere!" 

Yes, the middle of nowhere. Just the way we like it. A quaint village. Irish countryside. Green rolling hills. Pastures of sheep and dairy cows. Cobblestone streets. It really is the way I pictured it. There is still a little chill to the air leftover from winter, but the farmers are readying the fields for Spring, and the smell of dewy grass, moist soil, wooly sheep (and other sheep products) fills your senses as soon as you step outside. It's a bit unpleasant at first (hence "other sheep products") but is starting to become more familiar and strangely endearing. Shemama, I can't help but think of you often as I take in the landscapes. More images of the countryside to come.

First stop (after grabbing a chai latte at the rather posh petro station and catching a nap at the Bells): Dundrum castle

        The Mountains of Mourne

       

    TD, this one is for you. Perhaps if we find a golden ticket we could bring you back a lifetime supply.

    

    Chocolate-covered honeycomb, yes please. 

I am loving all the sweet shops here, and the fact that our dear hosts, Gareth and Joy, do too. Sweet tooths unite! In a matter of 5 minutes and a block's walk down a narrow street in Newcastle, we managed to 1) grab a loaf of fruit soda (bread, not a fizzy drink) at the Cookie Jar bakery; 2) claim a few candies from a sweet shop next door (very Charlie and the Chocolate Factory minus the rolling ladder with wheels); and 3) top it off with some ice cream and coffee from a cafe by the sea.

     Driving around the Mountains of Mourne.

The stone fences amaze me. No mortar. No wires. Just stones strategically placed in a delicate balance.

A belated birthday celebration for Ryan with an Irish donut cake filled with cream and strawberry jam. Did I mention that Joy is a CLASS baker?!