Wallace Park

Lisburn is a funny place. Many shops are unoccupied and dilapidated. And yet there's money somewhere... the centre of town is being rebuilt, so that even if the shops are empty, you'll be able to walk past them with fancy paving underfoot and the sound of a fountain in the background. And they've built a fantastic children's playground in Wallace Park. Time to try it out...

We're going to the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo

Belfast Zoo is set upon a hill. A big hill. Those who made it to the top were rewarded with ice cream.

The highlight? Sea lions.

A party and scrambled quail eggs

Our first few days were effectively planned for us (a good thing). Saturday relaxing, Sunday church, Monday preparing for and having a party (partly in a belated celebration of Ronja's birthday and a chance for everyone to meet Silas), Tuesday Zoo (more on that later) and Wednesday a visit to Lisburn's new playground, the church's new coffee shop and Matt's step-Granny's house which has been refurbished due to fire.

Happy Birthday to...

At the party Matt's cousin Clare left us some quail eggs. What to do with them?

So small!

Scrambling...

The finished product. Delicious.

Arrival

Our last stretch was made easier by Jonny driving us from Manchester to Birkenhead for the ferry to Belfast. No more trains, no bus, no maneuvering down escalators. When it takes you three days to make a journey (I'm not knocking train travel, it can be done in around 24 hours if you don't want to see anything or anyone along the way), arriving is a little special. We celebrated by having a good cup of coffee and breakfast at home followed by a trip to Tescos to stock up on nappies and baby food. Just doing normal, mundane things in a home country somehow feels very good.

You find me one airline with this on board. Its amazing how much energy young children have at 6 in the morning (she was by far not the only one)

Shopping in Tescos is tiring for babies...

...and early morning indoor play park explorers

Manchester

We had a great time in and around Manchester with Jonny (our kind host) and James (Matt's kind tour guide from Picadilly to Arndale). Any dish gluten free at Tea 4/2*, a trip to the park, lunch in Rusholme, and a visit to the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI).

Obligatory dinner photo!

Your turn

The children's floor at MOSI

Our journey from Mannheim to Manchester was straightforward. The train from London to Manchester makes you wonder why the British think they need high-speed rail. And although the Virgin trains may not be wide enough to swing a cat (or carry a pram, rotated, to the luggage rack), they make up for it by having a sense of humour in their toilets, and extremely friendly staff. The announcer even apologized for the two minute delay!

In other countries, multiple languages are used on signs in the toilets. Virgin have found good use for the extra space afforded by only using English.

*Although I can only applaud the ability to make any dish on the menu gluten free, none of us were completely convinced about the restaurant. And I thought shipping in water from Norway was a bit much.

First stop, Mannheim

It's time for another slow journey to Ireland. Our first stop (yesterday) was Birgit's Aunt and Uncle in Mannheim. Despite being a little tired from more manic than usual packing, a good time was had by all, and it was good not be travelling too far on the first day. Today we're doing the lion's share of the journey, Mannheim to Manchester, and are about to reach Cologne.

Spectacular views from the train

Ronja gets to try out the local park with her great uncle