Red Bay at Cushendall

Played golf at Cushendall recently and took a few snaps to record the view out towards the North Channel. It was a lovely day and despite the quality of the golf was enjoyed by all. An excellent meal and a few drinks completed the day.
A very friendly membership at Cushendall GC and a visit is recommended.

Great news for Volvo drivers in the NW - Greer's in Coleraine

GREERS OF ANTRIM    -     62 GREYSTONE RD, ANTRIM, BT41 2QN

Greer's Volvo who have operated in Antrim for many years have opened a service facility in Coleraine. In my opinion Greer's are a very friendly and efficient dealership. Servicing is made easy with  the supply of a temporary car and their easy to get to location just off  the M2 at Antrim makes them first choice for Volvo in the area.

The last time I was in the salesman was talking very attractive figures for the last new S40 in stock. Black with all the trimmings; it was a very attractive option, especially with the massive discount he was offering!  If you are not committed to getting one of the new Volvo range, they also have a number of ex demonstrators at very reasonable prices.
For those of us living closer to the north coast the addition of the Coleraine service facility at 4 Lougestown Industrial Estate can only be good news.

Chilli Beef and Red Wine!

Friday night and the January diet has caused enough suffering. It's time to walk up the town and treat ourselves. Mollys is a restaurant bar located about halfway up main street in Ballymoney. My ususal 'chilli beef' is pure comfort food. Washed down with a nice fruity Chilean red; just the business...

If you are in town and fancy trying it, give them a ring on 028 276 62189, although a reservation (unless for a large group) is not really necessary as the very friendly staff will do their best to get you sorted.

Sign of the Times?

The redeveloped building site at the bottom of the main street in Ballymoney got a new tennant at the end of last year, a Pawn Broker! I wonder how many people in the cold light of post holiday January will be forced to seek help by pawning possessions to help get by financially?

Public Inconveniences?

On a recent walk along the sea front at Portrush I noticed this sign...

The people in Portrush must have excellent self control..

Don't Forget You're Alive!!

Good advice from the late, great Joe Strummer (allegedly) courtesy of some graffiti scribbler on the sea front at Portrush. The quotation in the background is of the more traditional variety invoking people to plan for the afterlife..
It may be better if we all tried to make this life a bit better for everyone in 'our wee country'.  So take Joe at his word.. enjoy life...

Pattons partially completed Building

Work on this new build on the Coleraine Road at the top of the town has not progressed since collapse of the Patton Group. This building is replacing a few houses which sat derelict for some time and were a bit of a n eyesore. It is very unfortunate that having reached this stage the build has stopped. Hopefully the receivers or whoever now has responsibility for this site will arrange for the build to complete. At the very least if the building is made weather tight it can be finished out at a later date...

Window Display Excellence.

A local charity shop....( Compassion Ministries Charity Shop ) should be commended for an impressive piece of window dressing; a Spanish flamenco style dress created totally in folded paper.
Compassion Ministries is a non-profit registered charity run by staff and volunteers from Green Pastures, the peoples church in Galgorm, including “Transform” community education programme and Freedom House.

Quality Local Product

This card was received recently and shows a very nice picture of the hotel mentioned and the rather splendid conservatory attached to it. Turns out the conservatory is designed and produced by Hampton Conservatories, based on the Ballybogey road which runs between Ballymoney and Portrush. These conservatories and orangeries are arguably among the finest handcrafted examples being produced in the UK or Ireland today. A look at their web site shows an outstanding catalogue of stylish designs and peerless craftsmanship

.

The hotel itself looks like an ideal base to explore the south west of Ireland. Have a look here.

Tribute or 'Trip Hazard' ?

Now, I don't want to sound picky or churlish, but what the heck is this meant to be?? After sixty dedicated years service from Her Majesty the Queen to the country and the commonwealth, you would have thought Ballymoney might have had a little more imagination when it came to commemorating the jubilee.
The planting of oak trees is a welcome and long lasting tribute which will benefit generations of park users but how many people will walk past this little heap of stones and wonder why the council bothered. It is, to be fair, just opposite a seat where people can presumably rest a while and contemplate the wonderful service of the Queen to the nation. The problem is it is such an insignificant little heap that in many ways it is nearly an insult. Maybe it is Sinn Fein's contribution to the jubilee and they just haven't owned up to it!
In a town like Ballymoney, coming down with builders and tradesmen of all descriptions, and not all employed due to the recession, you would have thought the council could have a least erected a cairn of sensible proportions. How hard would it be to collect up a small load of rocks and  build something relatively substantial instead of this 'trip hazard'.