We left Kells this morning and drove from the Republic of Ireland into Nothern Ireland, a part of the UK. No boarder, just a sign. Oh, and the road signs changed from km to miles. If we were spending cash (cash, what's that) we would spend pounds, not euros. (We're using apple pay and it's all funny money anyway) We arrived at Jim Waring's house in the early afternoon. Jim is my second cousin once removed. His grandmother and my great grandmother were sisters. When my great grandmother immigrated to Canada in 1907 she left her parents and siblings behind. It must have been very difficult. She didn't see her sister again until some time in the 1960's when they met in Toronto. Below is a postcard Jim showed us. My great grandmother sent it back to her family in Belfast after she arrived safely in Canada. I can't imagine the homesickness she must have felt. She still had to board a train and travel across Canada to Moose Jaw, where her husband was waiting. And she was traveling with her two small children.
Thanks again to Jim for securing us a pitch for the camper van at Tullans Country Holiday Park. We dropped off the camper and Jim and his daughter Stephanie, my third cousin, took us on a tour of Coleraine and the surrounding area.
They dropped us at the Giants Causeway so we could hike along the cliff and explore the causeway. The view around every turn of the upper trail was spectacular. We hiked to the east end of the trail then went back along the bottom trail. We climbed out amount the hexagon shaped rocks that form the causeway's unique structure.
The landscape seemed animated. The colors vibrant and lush. Walking on the tops of the stones felt like something out a video game. Stepping on the right rock would cause the next realm to open.
Jim picked us up after our hike at the causeway and took us to dinner! His daughter Stephanie, her husband Dave and their son Colm joined us. We had a lovely dinner getting to know our "long lost relations". After dinner Jim showed us more of the area and told us some of the history of Ireland and its troubled past. It was interesting to hear his thoughts and wonderful of him to share his experiences with us. Back at Jim's house, we got down to business comparing family trees and looking at old photos. Thank you Jim for sharing this special time with us.
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