My Irish Family

After catching up on my beloved sleep I learned that Peter had Thursday off and would show me around Belfast. We looked around the Queens Quarter and along the Lagan-side. It seemed like a slightly harsh industrial city. The Botanic was a diamond in the rough, though the museum was a bit odd. We headed back around 5 and had a wonderful evening in Maghera.
I was kept busy during the week working at the Garden Centre and touring bits of Ireland with Peter's Mum Barbara, his sister Jillian and the dog Jessie.

The Bradley’s quickly became my favorite. Jim 'The Gardener' is a very gentle and wise man. He travels frequently around the world speaking about business innovations. He's got his pilots licence and knows every detail of the weather. Barbara works in administration regarding Healthcare training standards and conquers her commute to Belfast with classical music. I walked with her most night up the mountain and heard her amazing stories. Michael is an Apple fanatic, graphic designer. He keeps me supplied with 'Football Special' and his phenomenal orangey chocolate drink. His friend Megan describes him as a ‘spaz’ which is somewhat appropriate has he occasionally has these crazy spurts of energy manifested in conversation or on his computer working like mad. Jillian only comes by Maghera occasionally. She has just finished her Nursing requirements and has a job in the Mater Hospital. She was gracious enough to allow me to take over her room for 5 days. Peter, what can I say? Peter is Peter. He has his own brand of humour and style that’s hard to describe. He tries to make me believe utterly ridiculous things. This was the same at Coe, but after 3 years away I had forgotten this tendency. I took him at his word for about 45 minutes until I remembered.
Now going to Maghera to visit the Bradley’s is a treat. I feel wonderfully at home putting dishes away, walking Jessie, watching EuroNews and sometimes attending Mass on Sunday. I am blessed to be surrounded by such good people.