Lisburn Exiles Forum
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The Lisburn Exiles Forum is dedicated to the memory of James Goddard Collins (The Boss) who single-handedly built LISBURN.COM (with a lot of help from many contributors) from 1996 to 29th November 2012. This website was his passion and helping people with a common interest in the City of Lisburn around the world is his lasting legacy.
The Lobby Correspondent,
Cannot blame u for booking urself a holiday, the weather here is not much better, torrential rain on and off to-day, and heavy rain at the moment.
Go and enjoy urselves, child free,well at 18yrs not children anymore. May I suggest take a good few books for the beach or where ever and if bored go to some nice place by bus and view another part of Spain. As u hav'nt said what part of Spain ur going to, cannot help u much, go out in the evening and have a nice meal(fish is great) something Spanish with a glass or two of vino, then sit at an open air cafe and watch the locals promenade up and down the street. Just relax, and don't get too much sun.
Ps Tip: If badly sunburned, put white vinegar on it.
a great tip from Florida years ago. (I am lucky I don't sunburn).
Katie
Start of another 'debate' I guess: Why go to a foreign country with lots to do and see, and then pull out a book?
Well, I did my best. Hasta la vista!
Hi everyone. Well, we're back. Couldn't resist a wee peek. Don't worry, dinner's on. Children have had their potted herrings AND spaghetti bolognese which I prepared as well. Talk about multi-tasking.
Anyway, in response to the question of Lobby Correspondent, we're off to rainy England for almost 2 weeks.
However, come with me to my dream holiday. Like you, TLC, no hubby (God Bless him, he's wonderful) but just sis and I. Of course it will have to be a cruise. Never having been on a cruise, my imagination takes over.
After shopping for all the beautiful evening gowns (after all, we will be seated at the Captain's Table) and casual, but expensive, casual clothes plus accessories (probably all from TK Maxx - how Corrie St) plus designer luggage, we will fly off from Belfast International to Southampton. Our luxury liner will be waiting. Of course we will have the best cabins. After unpacking, we have a lovely long bath and then head for the beautician. There we have our faces smoothed of all worry lines, sip champagne and come out rejuvenated and looking 10 years younger. (Well, if Joan Collins can do it, why not us?).
The champagne has made us giggly and, as it's cocktail time, we go back to our cabin, dress in our pre-dinner garb, and join the crowd for sex-on-the-beach, etc. Of course, being two ladies unaccompanied we get lots of longing looks from men with their partners, but we don't pay any attention to THEM. We're much superior, a bit like Eliza Doolittle when everyone thought she was a princess. (I am dreaming after all). We sip our cocktails, no gulping, and have tete a tetes with the growing crowd of admirers.
Dinner will be served at 8 pm so we go back to our cabin, have a doze, shower (we're come on since Canada)I change into a beautiful tomato red evening gown (the Color me Beautiful people said it would create a stunning effect) with just a hint of cleavage. Sis dresses in a silver backless gown, she doesn't like to show too much. She's more modest than me. Of course, we have all the accessories so you'll have to use your imagination regarding shoes, necklaces, earrings, handbags.
We enter the dining room, confident, hair nicely groomed, having been to the hairdresser's, and make-up impeccable. Immediately, a waiter escorts us to (I told you) the Captain's Table. There are only a few specially chosen people there, all well dressed, but none better than us. Well, we have our gorgeous meal with more champagne and then the orchestra strikes up. (that was a bit fast wasn't it). Anyway, the Captain leads me on to the dance floor (sorry sis) and we dance a beautiful waltz, with people applauding, but at the same time envious - you know how people are ). Then sis gets a dance with the Captain too, but unfortunately it's a quickstep and what with the champagne and wine, I think she tripped a couple of times.
The ship sails on night after night, calling at exotic places each day. It's so relaxing, the swaying of the ship, lounging on the deck, faces turned up to the exotic sun, dozing - then ready for another evening of entertainment.
This goes on for 7 days, we're totally rejuvenated, tanned and fit, because we visited the gym each day, and relaxed.
On our last day we call at a port in France. Sis and I disembark and go for a walkabout. It's a beautiful day, sunny but not too hot. We just stroll along at our leisure, looking at all the shops, chatting and laughing, enjoying ourselves.
We decide to go in for a coffee and who should be sitting there, sunglasses on but no mistaking him. Johnny Depp, without his beautiful wife. I take a deep breath and approach him. In my most sultry voice I introduce myself as his most ardent fan, tell him we're from Ireland, which always impresses, and give him a knowing look. I can see he is smitten with me (poor sis) so he invites us to join him. He tells us that his wife and children are away at present and asks if we would like to join him on his yacht for drinks.
Now, if you want to hear the remainder of this story, you'll have to wait because I smell dinner.
OK it's all in the mind, but heck, who cares.
Ann,
DREAM ON, MY DANCE WAS WITH ED HARRIS
J.D. IS IN THE HA'PENNY PLACE THERE!!
Pat
Dabbler,
Don't think so.
Katie
Lobby Correspondent,
Do you want an estimate?
Pat.
TLC. a fat cheque is ALWAYS acceptable.
Donald,
Are you kidding????
Pat 
Donald, you seem a really nice human being. Forget about the grandkids for once and join our imaginary cruise. LR and Beano will be there too, plus John, Co Downer and all the others, as well as the girls. Don't know if Dabbler will be able to get away!!
Hi Thelma, Liz all the girls,
Can't u just imagine yourselves on the cruise
trip that Ann has described,except not with JD, dream of ur own hunk, what a trip.
Katie 
Hi Thelma,
Sun? 33degrees? Lucky you, enjoy it while it lasts. Still waiting here for the Summer, windy showery & cool. Roll on Sept & Canadian holiday in Shelburne for the Fall & Thanksgiving with family.
Pat
Thelma, I'm really envious of the weather your're having. It was actually COLD here today as well as rainy. I suppose that's why we're called The Emerald Isle, all the rain keeps the place really green. Shouldn't complain, at least no hurricanes, volcanoes, drought but I wish we could have a SUMMER.
Thelma lucky you! What's sun? Ann you could always go on the Gerry Anderson cruise next April. I heard him mention it the other day, wouldnt that be good fun?
Yes, Maggi, I had thought about it and mentioned it to hubby, sis and my daughter, who lives nearby. However, they all agreed that it would be far too exciting for me. Still, I think it would be a good idea. Watch this space.
Had a long day, so off to bed myself. Goodnight all and God Bless. Don't forget to turn off the lights.
In the very early days of package holidays to Spain, we took our ten and eight year old boys to Calella De La Costa, on the Costa Dorada. Reasonable three star hotel, playground, and lots of fun with my sons in the swimming pool. I recall a railway line, and a train running slowly along, and hot weather, and bright blue sea. Lovely.
Many years later, without the children, Tossa De Mar, which is further up the North East on the Costa Brava, castle, a small museum that I liked, little winding streets, individual shops, where I bought a small inexpensive painting of a beach/boat scene by a local artist. Relaxing.
Later still, Marbella, Costa del Sol; bungalow type accomodation in scenic gardens. Vibrant, affluent town, oranges growing overhead as you strolled, or dined in the Plaza De Los Naranjos. A trip to Puerto Banus, eyes widening at the sight of those millionaires' yachts right under your nose, and the expensive cafes where one hesitated to buy a drink. "That one is owned by the Welsh boxer, and that one by the singer; you know him." Exciting.
Around the same time, up to the North West corner of Spain, to El Pais Basco, to San Sebastian specifically. Four star hotel, excellent service. Playa De La Concha, a lovely panoramic beach with, out to sea, a small island rising in a hill to an impressive statue of Christ. In a square, whilst out strolling, I got into conversation with some local University students, who advised me to leave the square, as a demonstration was about to take palce, and violence was not out of the question. Slightly disturbing, but something of an ego trip, as, due to my linguistic skills, I was able to 'save' my wife and our two friends from potential danger.
Take your pick, TLC. If you would like to hear about a real life bullfight, I'm your man.
I would like to describe a wonderful holiday hubby and I had in France, accompanied by big brother and his French wife. They had been holidaying in France with the remaining family in their original home for many years. One year they invited us to join them. I think it was the year 2004.
We knew that their home was up in the Alps and as brother never went into any details, we didn't know what to expect. I mean, I was wondering if there was a shower or bath as he always just said they lived at the top of a mountain. I was thinking of some old country farmhouse without facilities and I didn't really like to ask.
Anyway, the four of us flew to Lyon where we were met by Michelle, Marite's older sister. Enjoyed our first real French coffee in the airport before heading off on the very long journey up the twisty mountain road. Couldn't really call it a road as there was only room for cars going one way. If you met another car, whoever was on the downward track had to give way to those going uphill. We drove on and on, beautiful scenery everywhere - I drank it all in. My first time in France.
We eventually arrived at a little hamlet, no main street or anything, just a few houses scattered about, but again, breathtaking views. The hamlet was called Clavans le-bas, which means the smaller village. Michelle got out of the car and to my surprise, opened a garage door and drove the car in. She then showed us into the house. What a delightful surprise awaited us there. When we saw our bedroom, I couldn't believe it. The bed itself was very large and quite high and it was covered in the most beautiful white lace bedclothes. The furniture was of a French style, unusual to us, good quality and the bedroom had an en-suite. On the windowsill outside was a window box full of bright red geraniums. I knew immediately I was going to love it, you know how you get that comfortable feeling. The bed was heavenly to sleep in too and the view from the bedroom was straight onto a mountain - I mean, we were actually ON the mountain.
No-one awakened us in the mornings, you just arose when you woke, it was very very quiet. We would come into the living area in our dressing gowns, very casual and relaxing. Usually big brother was already there and Michelle and her sister Andrea would be busy preparing the salads for lunch, freshly picked from their large garden. Brother explained that the main meal of the day was 12 noon and advised us to have a light breakfast. So, each morning we just had porridge and fruit or, after being there a few days, only fruit and coffee. The sisters wouldn't hear of us helping them do anything at all, so we would go down into their garden, surrounded by the Alps, and sit in the warm sunshine until we heard the call "At table" (in French of course). That meant lunch was ready.
Every lunch for the whole 2 weeks was different. Michelle was a great cook and we were never served the same dish twice. The large table had a pure white linen cloth and a huge bowl of salad placed in the centre with a gorgeous garlic dressing which I have used up to this day. You started off with the salad, loads of it. This was followed by either home made soup or pate or some other starter which I can't remember now. Then, the meat was served separately - there was chicken, ham, beef, rabbit, quails, salami, terrine, duck, capon, not all on the one day of course but one of these each day. After that came a potato dish or rice, Michelle could make so many different dishes with potatoes and I, again, cook some of these today too. There were vegetables, from the garden, to eat with the potatoes or rice.
Believe it or not, after this she would serve two different types of dessert - I never could manage dessert.
After this, the cheeseboard - my goodness, you've never seen a real cheeseboard until you've been in France. There must have been 10 different cheeses on it. As Michelle sat beside me, and as she loves her food too, and guessed we were kindred spirits, she kept pushing the cheeseboard towards me. I couldn't resist. Mmmmmm, even now my mouth waters.
After that there was coffee served with chocolates.
Even though it was only 12 noon, wine was ALWAYS served. Liqueurs and brandy were on the table too but we usually refrained. Again, they wouldn't let us help clear up so we would go back into the garden and all doze off that huge meal. By the way, this midday meal lasted for at least 2 hours, no gobbling. After each course we would talk for a while and sip wine. It was very civilized. Nothing was any bother.
Later the sisters came out and joined us; sometimes we played boules on the lawn or just talked, big brother and his wife translating for us as Michelle and Andrea had no English at all.
In the evenings there was another meal, not as big but more than adequate, each evening a different menu. Afterwards we would walk up the mountain, listening for the cowbells which hung around the cows' necks, huge things. They would come over to us and we fed them fresh, long grass. If we were lucky we would see a chamoix - a large goat which only showed itself occasionally, footsure on the steep mountains. When Michelle spied one, she would pass us her binoculars to see them up close.
Every Tuesday the butcher's van annunced itself by blowing the horn all over the small hamlet. This caused a flurry of excitement and the neighbours and holidaymakers (who came up from Grenoble to their country holiday homes) all met up in the little square with their wicker baskets. The butcher had a fridge and freezer on the van and all the game, chickens, etc hung from a rail. He kept cheeses, all kinds of meat and fish, everything really. Then the locals would converse in the sun and it was fascinating to hear the French people speaking, it seemed so fast.
We didn't eat at home every day, sometimes we took a picnic further up the Alps. There was a park with a river running through it. It was situated below a glacier and the glacier fed this river. Of course the river was ice cold.
Another little hamlet named Besse was a few miles away and there was a bakery there, where Andrea would buy freshly baked baguettes each day.
We visited different towns, including Mizoen where the lakes are, also Chambon which had a dam. We visited a larger town called Brianton which was a walled town which you entered underneath a stone arch. We visited another sister in the city of Grenoble and spent an unforgettable day there. Her little 3 week old twin grandchildren were with her plus the mother and father of course. I had great delight in walking around the garden with one of the twins. The garden contained an 80 years old tortoise, a real one, cannot remember its name. The garden itself was really beautiful, with water features, fruit trees, fig trees. We ate outside that day, underneath a canopy, again great cooking.
On 14th July it was Bastille Day and the whole village and surrounding villages came to Clavans for the celebrations that year. The villages took turns each year. The festivities commenced at around 10 am with a race around the mountain - everyone from the oldest to the youngest child joined in and there were prizes for different categories. We didn't take part in the race but enjoyed watching everyone else. Later on they held a dance at the crossroads - wonderful music of all types and everyone got up to dance, including us. We have it on video still. There was an outdoor bar but it was so hot we mostly drank minerals that night. Much later, around midnight, there was a fireworks display, all the time La Marseillaise playing in the background.
It really was an unforgettable holiday - I would love to go back but it must have been an awful hassle for Michelle - I don't know how she kept cooking every day all those different dishes. Big brother still goes every year and his daughter and 3 friends are there at present. Looking forward to hearing all the latest from there when she returns.
Anyway, hope I didn't bore you all because as I write I can re-live that experience whereas you can only see it from my description.
Ann,
Wonderful description of our holidays, could,nt have done it better myself. When we went later the next year, one day they suggested we take part in another village tradition. Going up the mountain to the goatherd & shepherd for the new cheeses. Most people walked the 4miles there & back but the sisters said they would drive us. Being nervous of heights & narrow goat track paths I demurred but was assured it would b a worthwhile trip. As a visitor I felt compelled to partake in this event so.......Up Up Up we climbed, I looked down once & saw a small plane below us. When we rounded a bend near the top there was a big camper van in front of us. "Thank
God" I said,"Now we will have to crawl along" Not so. Joe said later he thought we were at Brand,s Hatch as Andrea roared up the turbo engine & passed within 2 ft. of a 1500ft. drop. I was yelling my head off & even Joe was white. My brother said "These people r used to this" Well, I swore to walk it the 4 miles home but fortunately they took the opposite side of the mountain, where the track was wider, to come back..It must have taken 10years off my life that day, but I must say the view was sensational & the cheeses lovely. I'd love to visit again but in a helicopter next time. When we were arriving for the holiday, & half way up we met the riders & outriders & gendarmes coming down with the Tour de France race. At sunset the snow capped mountains turned a lovely shade of pink, Clavan reminded me of "Heidi".When I asked my brother why he never told us it was so beautiful he replied, "Oh well, you get used to it" That's him.....Pat. 
Dabbler, how could you? the bullfight I mean. It's SO cruel.
Hi all,
Had to tell u about time hubby and I were in Spain in Majorca, when I noticed a notice "BULL Fight" Saturday, and as the night drew near, said to hubby why not go to the "Bull Fight", well if looks could kill, when in Spain do as the Spanish do, after all we came to see the culture of another country and having been to Spain before and had never been to a Bullfight.
Any way, Saturday came, I got ready dressed to the nines and hubby again, was not pleased or saying much, but I had persisted and said sure we're in Spain, why not go and see for ourselves what it is like. Me being a great one fior getting to know the culture of a country
The heat was in the late 90's, we got a taxi to the old town, and the crowds were walking and getting of buses, hubby (always right) still cross, said they are going up that hill, no! I said and we walk until we reached a dual carriage way, the sweat was falling of us, had to turn and go back again, eventually found the arena, the crowds were massive, got to our seats and very one was cheering, then the music
started and a parade of beautiful girls and men on horses came into the arena, and then the bullfighters.
I won't go into details, but for the main event the crowd was up and roaring, seemily the bullfighter was a very famous one.
We watched the whole eposide although hubby by this stage was heading for the gate,so I had to follow, let me tell u the bull has no chance, hubby by this time was furious and said to me, do u call that sport, never again take me to the like of that,I call that barbarous, he never spoke to me for nearly 2 days and told everyone he met about the episode. Well done it and seen it.
It is a very cruel sport. (Hubby also hates hunting)
Hubby again, (always right) told me Isle of Man had
only one M, but me being eaisly lead, followed Donald.
Katie
Yes, Katie. to use another quote, this time from Oscar Wilde as regards hunting. "The unspeakable in pursuit of the uneatable."
The Lobby Correspondent,
U should'nt have spent ur money on a holiday in Spain, sure sit back, then close ur eyes and read Dabbler's discription of his holidays in Espana u can see it all and if yr imagination is good even smell the bougainvillaea, what a picture.
Are Ann and Dabbler on something else?
Katie
Ann,
Did'nt want to tell u, to make matters worse and be being easily lead, I was up an yelling with the crowds.
Katie
