Arc 090530 Ireland

JEC Ireland 2009 Tour - Sat 30th May to Fri 5th June 2009
(click on photo to see enlargement)

	Saturday 30th May: The sun was shining as Frank & I in our X-Type Estate joined Robin & Carolyn in their XJS and travelled to Malcolm & Ruth's home for coffee & scones - an excellent start to our holiday. We then followed their E-Type to our overnight stay at the Creebridge House Hotel, Newton Stewart. Brian & Pauline, in their XK8, joined us and we celebrated Robin & Carolyn's wedding anniversary with champaign and fruit cake.
	Sunday 31st May: After an early breakfast we travelled to Stranraer for the ferry to Belfast. On leaving the ferry Brian led the way to see Bangor and Donaghadee before making our way to the Galgorm Resort & Spa near Ballymena. Richard and Sue arrived in their XK150 having travelled on a later ferry. Our party then joined the other JEC members for the excellent barbecue & choc ices in the hotel garden. There were about 40 JEC Jaguars in the car park.
	Monday 1st June: The sun was still shining on when we set off to do the 1st tour that the JEC had organised. We went to Bishop Rock & Downhill then Castlerock beach. Some people had driven their cars onto the beech (but not us!). It was so hot (25ºC) we went paddling, beach combing and sheltered from the sun under umbrellas designed to keep the rain off. Carolyn was able to identify a huge variety of shells, etc for us.
	Tuesday 2nd June: We decided to complete the rest of the 1st tour and went to the Giant's Causeway (spectacular) and Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge (very scary). Then back to the hotel to use their spa facilities before going for our evening meal at Gracehill in an old Moravian Church School.
	Wednesday 3rd June: (still hot and no rain!) Decided to do parts of the JEC 2nd tour. We stopped for lunch and did more beech combing at Cushendun. There was lots of sand that had a silvery sparkle and numerous types & coloured stones. We then drove on to Ballycastle and then back to the hotel and the pool. In the evening we attended the Tour Dinner held in the Hotel's Great Hall. Then 3 excellent Irish musicians entertained us.
	Thursday 4th June: Wanting a break from driving Frank & I went into Belfast on the train. We were very impressed with the trains and their integration with the buses. After having a walk round the city sights we went on a boat trip to see where the Titanic was built and passed the Harland & Wolff cranes 'Samson and Goliath'. In the evening 8 of us went back to Gracehill for another meal. Another 14 JEC tour members were also there.
	Friday 5th June: Before going home on the 5pm ferry from Belfast, 4 cars were able to take the long scenic route via Glenarm, Larne and Carrickfergus. There was a cold wind and a very short shower of rain but the weather in Ireland has been marvellous. Back home by 10.30pm we had driven 640 miles and had a brilliant holiday. Our thanks go to the JEC for organising the tour and also to our Red/Green/Blue leader.