Island Life

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Ghin comtemplates the stones on the island


J and O against the cliffs and the harbour


The Writer's Chair stone








Sailing home





Rathlin Island, naturally. It was exactly as i had remembered it - and yet things had also changed, of course. For a start the Manor House was in full swing. A tired and very busy Damian and Zennia ran it beautifully. They had also opened a new pub, which was essential since the other pub on the island was pretty atmospheric. Bart and Els loved the Westlight - AND we finally became members!!! I signed the whole family up.

Ghin took to the boat like the old seadog that he was. Oisin and Jago enjoyed the freedom of the island, roaming about the beaches and propping up the bar. The weather was awful for the first half of the day and then magically at about 3 it cleared up on Saturday and Sunday. We saw seals, birds, more birds and several abandoned cars. Bart and Els came back with a full economic plan for the island. They should sell local produce and island only whiskey. Keep bees, plant orchards and so on and so forth. Hmmmm... teachers. It is a good idea, except that several people have already recommended it. And of course the Rathlin Islanders aren't very interested in all that.

I think the thing is that for so long tourism was not really an option (cf the 30 year war) - but now it is. And slowly people are beginning to understand this. But it's taking time. And for so long they were a working island, not a tourist island. It's kinda hard to let that go. Also the modern disease, this get rich quick thing infects just about everyone. Somehow growing trees and waiting for them to bear fruit doesn't fit into that mindset.

They'll get there yet though, i'm sure.

Birds are singing. Yesterday we went to the medieval fair in Holywood. It was cool, except that i was toooo tired after my exertions to Rathlin to try and take any photos. So we just enjoyed the jousting, sword play and clowns. It was wonderful how people escaped the TV for just one afternoon and enjoyed themselves as in days of yore. Ghin's crying, must go.

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