In all the hubbub of being on the ‘main land’ I fell behind on my keeping y’all up to date on the happenings here at home in sunny Norn Iron.  Normally I say that, dripping with sarcasm, however over the last seven weeks, the weather here has been fantastic – as the weather here goes!

Before we hit the mainland, we were all over the place, I’ve not been keeping very detailed records of what we did, but I most certainly have pictures!

Samson and Goliath, the H&W cranes – when I see these guys, I know I’m home! So much so, that I dragged Col and Rowan out of the car to have our picture taken in front of them.  It made me feel a bit better, that the person who took our picture, was also a home-grown Norn Irish lad!

Bowling has been a big part of our trip home this time.  Col and I rarely, if ever, bowl as I’ve said before.  However, it’s been our go-to event while we have been home here, we’ve been a number of times, this time, was with our hockey friend Kath and Rowan.

Something I’ve wanted to do for the longest time, but never got round to it, was to go to St George’s market up in Belfast.  The market goes on for three days, Friday, Saturday and Sunday every week.  I talked Nicky in to coming with me, dragged the boys and got up nice and early on Saturday morning to go for a wee dander.

“The City Food & Garden Market takes place in St George’s every Saturday from 9.00am to 3.00pm. Enjoy the best food tastes and smells brought by local producers, including beef from Armagh, award winning Irish Farmhouse Cheeses, free range eggs from Limavady, venison, pheasant in season and local organic vegetables from Culdrum Farm and Millbrook Farm.

In addition to these local delicacies, there is also a fusion of tempting continental and speciality foods from around the world. Included are such delights as wild boar, cured meats, venison, Spanish tapas, Caribbean foods, Mexican and Slavonic foods, continental coffees and teas, Italian olive oils with traditional French Crepes and extraordinary French pastries to mention just a few. Added to this plethora of tempting foods the Saturday market also encompasses flower stalls ensuring this Saturday market is a kaleidoscope of colour.

St. Georges City Food & Garden Market is more than just a shopping experience. Customers can sample the produce, relax with a coffee and a newspaper against a backdrop of live jazz or flamenco music. This market is a real Saturday treat and a great outing for all the family.”

For the most part, the market is food, food and more food.  Which is mostly difficult when you’re trying to eat ‘good’.

However, Hot Lips curry lady, Jenny, makes this a little easier on you, by throwing together some syn-free stew and curries for you to enjoy while you’re strolling around the market.  She even puts out a weekly code on her twitter, which gives a free curry to the first person who quotes the code to her (the codes never cease to make me giggle!)

There are a few homemade craft stalls, selling wares, yarn, gifts etc.  In case you’re surprised, I came away with a few balls of yarn.

But, the biggest draw, would most definitely have to be the food – and I succumbed to the temptation…

I had potato bread with sausages and it was DELICIOUS, the boys had breakfast baps and they really are big enough to sink the Titanic!

When we’d finished with the market and all it’s yummy treats, we bundled in to the car and headed up to Ballymena for an afternoon of shopping in Fairhill, followed by a wee visit to our friends Ann and Mahaa and their lovely family, for dinner and an afternoon of fun.