Rock Climbing...

Adopt-A-Block this morning, Jaclyn's last one, was really good! She got to say her goodbyes to Peggy and Kathleen and James and Vera and Junior. Vera made us all tea and scones! She set everything on the porch table and we sat in the sun chatting away. Should've probably wore sunscreen - the UV rays out here must be pretty strong as it doesn't take much to get pink. Thankfully though it wasn't too bad and it'll turn tan tomorrow. Stephen (Vera's son) had brought the kids over and we all had a good laugh! (sigh) If only N. Ireland's weather was like this all the time!

SIDE NOTE: A "farmer's tan" is called a "builder's tan" out here. Interesting. . .


Jaclyn had a desire to climb Cave Hill before leaving so today seemed a perfect time for it - the weather was a confirmation for the adventure! Emma, her friend Nicole, and Abigail all joined us. We planned a picnic and soon the five of us were sitting on a blanket near the Belfast Castle enjoying our lunch.

About an hour later we began our trek up the mountainous like hill. My first mistake. . . not bringing water.

                                                                                 We passed this tree and Jacs and Abigail wanted a pic in it! Definitely one of the best climbing trees I've seen in awhile! My little sisters would've just loved this!

At one point in our journey we found a little rock cave in the side of the mountain. The opening was about 15 feet up but seeing a couple holes in the rock I thought "I'll bet I can climb this." Mistake number two! I got about 8 feet up and realized that it probably was a bad idea to attempt this with a bad ankle and being miles away from a hospital (if I fell) . . . so I then told Abs and Jacs that I was gonna climb back down. Took me longer to come down than it did going up! I couldn't just drop cause we were on such an incline and there were loose rocks at the bottom. The girls helped me find a few holes in the rock to make my way down . . . so glad I didn't go all the way up!

After that random detour we finished our climb to the top! It took us a couple hours but we finally got there and what a view it was!

Overlooking Belfast

The legendary Nicole - climbing Cave Hill 5 months Prego!

On the edge

The dehydration set in later this evening. I've been drinking water but I'm not feeling much better. Jacs is watching Diary of a Mad Black Woman again and as much as I love Shemar Moore, I'm thinking I should probably get some rest. So glad that I went out today! I love long hikes. . . brings back memories of my first year in Masters. To be out in nature reminds me of how big God is.

-J