September 2024, NW Ireland to NE England.

Hello my lovelies! How are you all doing? I've been away to England for a while, but I have lots of lovely photos to share with you again, even if they're not from Inishowen. As beautiful as Inishowen is, I'm sure you enjoy a glimpse of some other places once in a while, right? Well, I do, and it's my Blog, so I'm sharing them anyway, haha!

Double rainbow over Glashedy.

Rainbow over Binnion.

The last week in September I was busy with work and getting ready for my next trip to England, so I didn't take many photos of home anyway. However, the morning I was getting ready to leave, there was an absolutely spectacular rainbow very close by, so I'm glad I was up early enough to capture it! Later I was busy traveling to Derry, and then dealing with a delayed flight to Manchester, which is always annoying. I was very much looking forward to seeing Gareth at the airport after a month apart, so any delay is especially frustrating! Thankfully we were *only* delayed two hours, and I was reunited with my love soon after. Gareth then drove us all the way up to South Shields in Tyne And Wear, where we checked into the Marsden Grotto hotel for the weekend.

Cave Bar at Marsden Grotto.

Cave Bar at Marsden Grotto.

A number of years ago, my Great Aunt, who was also my Godmother, took me to the Grotto, knowing that I would love visiting a pub in a cave, as well as the interesting history behind it. She was right, and you can learn all about the Grotto and some of it's dark history HERE. My Dad's side of the family is from that area, and I have many happy memories of school holidays spent up with my Grandparents and Great Aunts and Uncle. My Godmother was the last of all that generation, and she passed in 2021, while I was stuck in America during Covid times, and unable to travel back to her funeral. I have always felt terrible that I was away for 18 years, and that I missed out on the last years with so many of the older generation of my family. After my Godmother died, I promised myself I would go back to that area one day and say my own goodbyes. My Grandparents were buried, so I knew I could visit their grave, but my Great Aunts and Great Uncle were all cremated. So instead of visiting their graves, I wanted to just go back to the areas where they lived and where we shared happy memories together. I had since learned that the Marsden Grotto was now a hotel, so I could think of no better place to stay while we went traveling around the surrounding area, exploring old and new places.

Together at Marsden Rock.

Marsden Beach.

Marsden Rock.

Marsden Rock and the Grotto.

Selfie with Marsden Rock.

With my love at the Cave Bar, Marsden Grotto.

We got to the hotel late on the Friday night due to the delays, so didn't have time to explore much other than the bar downstairs, but since it's carved out of the cliff face, and beautifully decorated, as well as being a place I visited with my Godmother, we didn't mind. We got up early the next day though to do some more exploring, and were blessed with a gloriously sunny day, which made it even better. Gareth drove us down to Whitby, a place I've always been interested in due to the Dracula connections, haha. Many years ago, my Great Uncle John and my Great Aunt Jean took us there for a visit. I was too young to remember it, but I always remember being told about it, which was part of the attraction for me. We went straight to the famous Abbey and got some great photos thanks to the clear blue skies and bright sun. You know that I love ancient ruins, and all things Gothic, so I was especially happy to be there. We also enjoyed the museum and gift shop, and I *may* have bought a few Christmas presents for myself as well as family members there. ;-)

Whitby Abbey.

Whitby Abbey.

Whitby Abbey.

Whitby Abbey.

After the Abbey we walked down the 199 Steps and went exploring around the town, which we both really enjoyed. Old buildings, cobbled streets, quirky shops, as well as great restaurants and pubs, what's not to love? Of course, I had to buy some of the local Jet jewelry for myself, as well as maybe one or two other fun, Gothic items. In fact, we both felt like we didn't have nearly enough time to explore Whitby, so we plan on making another trip there some day! We had some drinks and delicious tapas at a restaurant and cocktail bar called Macy Brown's, and then found our way to an awesome micro pub called the Quirky Den. We loved that place so much we bought matching tee shirts! They read "Fancy a Quicky in the Quirky?" so it had to be done, haha!

Whitby Abbey.

Whitby Abbey.

Whitby Abbey.

After a full day of exploring we drove back up to South Shields and spent the evening in the Cave Bar, which was so cool. The whole place is so atmospheric and I was happy to be back there. The next day we checked out of the hotel, and then went to visit the village of Haswell, in County Durham, where my family used to live. My Godmother was the last one left in that area, and we drove by her old house so I could see it again. There was a bench nearby and we sat in the sun while I told Gareth stories of all the fun times I could remember with my family in the area. It was emotional, and healing, and once again I am so grateful to him for being so loving and letting me process my emotions in a healthy manner. We went to the Blue House for a proper Sunday roast, (no photos, but the Yorkshire pudding was as big as my head!) which brought back more happy memories, as I had been there for a few meals over the years with my family. An amazing place to visit if you're in the area, but make sure to book ahead, they get very busy, and deservedly so!

Excellent Bloody Mary at Macy Brown's, Whitby.

Proper pint of Old Peculiar at the Quirky Den, Whitby.

At the 199 Steps, Whitby.

After lunch we went to visit the graveyard where my grandparents are buried, and I spent some time cleaning the headstones and chatting to them, before Gareth drove us the long journey back to Shrewsbury. I don't know when I'll be up in that area again, and I had planned this trip, not knowing if I ever would be back. Now that all my family that lived up there have passed, there is little reason to travel up that way. However, after an amazing weekend away with Gareth, exploring Whitby and driving through the beautiful countryside, as well as staying in a hotel in a cliff, we think we could make an effort to go back and explore some more. I would love that, it made me feel connected to my family, and I think that's an important thing to have. As I mentioned before, I felt terrible that I was away in America for so long, and missed out on their last years. Yes, there were short visits, and we used to write to each other, but it's not the same as quality time spent in each other's company. It's one of many regrets I have about my time in America, and one of many reasons why I wanted to live in Ireland and be so much closer to the family I still have.