The Rolfs Visit Ireland

Last week we had a special treat! Our good friends, Larry and Teresa came to visit from America. Larry always said they would visit us on our mission wherever we went. They we sure glad we were sent to Ireland and not Iowa! We picked them up in Banbridge and went to lunch at Ballydougan. They were good sports even though they had been on a plane all night!

We showed them around Lurgana and Portadown and went to our favorite Tanaghmore Gardens. The leaves are changing and it was a beautiful day.

Beautiful begonias.....

They found their first wee leprechaun.

After a good nights sleep, they were ready for a trip up the Antrim coast.
We were lucky again to have beautiful weather.

Teresa was very excited to cross the rope bridge.

Birch and Larry

Linda and Teresa (we didn't plan on both wearing green!)

Next we went to the Giant's Causeway. We are getting pretty good at showing people the sites in Northern Ireland!

We love the ocean.

We left the Causeway after finding some cute souvenirs in the souvenir shop!

Birch and Larry at the Wee Cottage......they were glad it was closed so the women couldn't shop!

Dunluce Castle

More castle.....

We had a nice ride home and went to Maloney's for fish and chips!

The next day it was raining. Birch and Larry wanted to golf, but knowing Ireland, we knew it would clear up after we went to the Irish Linen Factory! I always find plenty to buy at the Linen shop. I can't wait to get home and set the table with my tablecloths, placemats and runners!!!!!

The men dropped Teresa and I off in Portadown to shop while they headed for the golf course. We had a great time going in and out the little shops and found some great buys! Birch and Larry had a good time too.

Teresa in front of the church in Portadown.





We went to dinner at the Oxford Grill. A good day with good friends and good food!

Saturday we headed south to Dublin to take the Rolfs to their hotel before they began their bus tour of southern Ireland. We stopped at Monasterboice. Larry wanted to see an old cemetery and that's about as old as it gets!!!!

Some of the gravestones are so old they are crumbling away and yet it is still used today.

Teresa coming out of the old abbey.

Larry and Teresa on the round tower...

Some of the oldest high crosses around.....

We then went to New Grange. We weren't able to see the burial grounds. The tours were all sold out. But we had a good time in the visitors center and checking it out in the telescope.

We had a wonderful visit and we are so glad the Rolfs were able to come. We have now been with them on three continents! North America, Australia, and Europe!