The Big 60th Surprise and Whiskey on a Sunday, a Monday, a Tuesday

 

 

It’s my party and I can cry if I want to.

The Big 60^th Surprise.

Most of you reading this would know that Paul’s friends Mike and Ann McCourt had been planning since September 2012 to be at his party as a surprise. It nearly killed me to keep this secret from Paul as I am well known in the Connolly family as the “Bush Telegraph”. There were a couple of occasions where the cat had been let out of the bag so to speak but Paul being Paul didn’t even pick up on the little slip ups that occurred as he was either too busy drinking, reading the paper or zzzzzzzzzz on the chair. To cut a long story short Mike’s code name was Toby. Toby was the mobile salesman that kept pestering me in London and Ireland at all hours of the night and day trying to sell me other mobile products. Paul fell for it hook line and sinker. Mike and Ann were already at the Ballygally Castle Hotel and were laying low in their room. Mike rang Paul from Western Australia so Paul thought to wish him Happy Birthday. After a general chin wag with Mike, Paul and I headed to the bar. Mike and Ann came to the bar and casually walked over to where Paul was sitting with Yve and David. Trac had the camera rolling and Ann asked Paul “If his drink was ok”? Paul looked up and was absolutely gobsmacked to see Mike and Ann standing there. He was speechless and his first words of greeting were “You bastard”. After all the handshakes and good wishes we informed Paul that everyone knew about the surprise.

I had organised a meal in the restaurant at the castle with a birthday cake included. Ross, Jonn, Tom, Owen Conway, Julia, Robert, Mick, Leo, Imogen, Mary-Attracta (Trac), Yvonne and David Whyte who came over from Portugal for the event, Mike and Ann, Paul and me. 16 party revellers! Thanks to all for making this such a special occasion and to all our family and friends who sent their wishes to Paul via texts, emails and cards.

On the road again, sightseeing with family and friends.

Party Bus took to the road again on the Friday heading up towards the Giants Causeway. The roads were very narrow and windy at times making the journey a slow one but well worth the time. First port of call was a rope bridge that went from the mainland over to an island. Carrick-a-Rede was used by the local fishermen to do Salmon fishing. The views were amazing and the island had lots of birds that had nested into the sides of it. Ross and Jonn along with Owen and Tom were keen to do a whiskey tour at Bushmill's. Bushmill's is one of the oldest distilleries around and also bottles Jameson’s whiskey. Even Imogen went on the tour with her older cousins. No sampling for her of the whiskey at the end but she did get a coke……not the same thing that’s for sure.

We arrived at the Giant’s Causeway around 5pm and had missed a heavy shower of rain. There seemed to be a lot happening here as there was a helicopter hovering, police and rescue cars heading down the road to where we were going. Apparently there had been an accident with a tourist falling down the rocks. One of the locals mentioned that during the busy times there could be up to 100 rescues from the area. It was mostly people trying to get the best photos of the area and not really concentrating as to where they were stepping onto slippery rocks. Lots of walking and viewing this magnificent area. We decided that we would have tea at the local hotel as it would be too late by the time we got back to Ballygally Castle. IT was 11.30 pm before we arrived back and we were all worn out, however, we had to have a nightcap at the bar!

Party time again with us meeting up with the Connolly relatives. There were heaps at this shindig as well. IT was so nice to for Paul’s family and our boys to meet them. Our friends Paul (Rowdy) and Joy from Geraldton also arrived just in time to be a part of this shindig. IT was a wild night and I think it was bout 230am before I hit the bed. As I had volunteered to drive the bus back and forth from the venue I had some locals that needed a lift home as the taxi service was very busy. I eventually agreed and the locals guided me to their drop offs. One of them stayed with us until Larne so it was easy to find ourselves back at the Castle. When I finally got to my room after making sure all of the Connolly lads were in their rooms I found Paul asleep on a chair with one shoe off.

The next day most of the party crew had the day laying about. Trac, Leonie and I decided to go for a dip in the Irish Sea. I took along the Australian flag so anyone observing us would know that we were mad Australians. It was very cold and my chunky dunk lasted a little longer than Trac’s and Leo’s. Whilst we were at the beach Paul had gone for his afternoon walk up to the “Meeting House” to catch up with the local relatives. A mini golf challenge had to be put on the backburner as a storm brewed up and we all ended back up at the Meeting House for tea.

 

Whiskey on your porridge, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday

 

Carrick-a-Rede swing bridge

 

Tom embracing the panorama

 

High on a hill there was a motley group

 

Paul with his cousin Jim's son Paul Connolly

 

Our friends from Geraldton Joy and Paul

 

Pack up day on Monday heading to Belfast. Tom and Owen off to Derry. Jonn's friends Phil and Elle from Australia jumped on the party bus and headed to Belfast with us to fly back to England.