I'm literally writing this blog post, sat on the floor in Belfast International airport because, as per usual, my flight is delayed. Stupid bloody easyJet! I have however, had a really lovely trip to Northern Ireland to visit Reece for his birthday. I spent ten nights at his family home and we done a lot more this visit than we have ever done on any other visit! Of course I took my camera, but stupid me forgot my SD card, so I very nearly had no good photos to share with you all of the beautiful country. Luckily, Reece's mum had an SD card that fit my camera - phew!
I arrived late on Friday night as shock, my easyJet flight was delayed. We didn't have much to do as by the time I got into Belfast city centre, everywhere was closed. So we grabbed a coffee and headed straight for the train.
Saturday was spent at the beach. I've been travelling to Northern Ireland for the best part of three years now and I don't think we've ever been to the beach and it hasn't rained! We got really lucky with the weather this trip, we had glorious sun shine. We walked the beach at Portrush and wandered around the shops a bit. We also got some really lovely milkshakes, I had Candyfloss and Reece chose Bubblegum. I got some gorgeous photos which I will insert below.
Sunday was Reece's 20th birthday - so pleased he's out of the teenage years! We went for a meal with his Mum, Grandad, Aunty and cousin to a lovely restaurant called 55 Degrees North in Portrush. If you're ever in the area, I highly recommend popping down there for a meal. The food was gorgeous and the view was unbelievable, especially on the beautiful day we had.
On Monday we wandered around Coleraine, the closest town to Reece's little village. I love Coleraine as there are plenty of shops to go and see, but it isn't too big. We nipped into a few shops, grabbed a couple of bits and bobs and then headed back to Portballintrae to play tennis. Reece beat me by one point and oh boy, he won't let me forget! We walked back via the beach and walked right out on the rocks to the sea front to watch the sun go down. It was so lovely and peaceful out there, so close to the water on a beautiful day.
We spent Tuesday at Runkerry beach, the biggest beach in Reece's area. Reece wanted to relax but I just couldn't keep still, so while I built a sand castle, he laid and soaked up the unusual Northern Ireland sun. We paddled in the water a little before going back home where his Dad took us up to Coleraine, where we had a lovely meal in Pizza Pomodoro and then on to the Jet Centre to play mini golf and watch a film. We opted for Sleepless, which surprised me and was a really good film. We were a little thrown at the beginning as we missed the first ten minutes as we got carried away playing on the amusements! We got home to find that Reece has serious sunburn, like 'I still have a vest on' sunburn, so as you can imagine the night was spent covering him in after sun with a lot of 'ouch.'
Wednesday was spent in bed as Reece had some assignments he needed to complete for college the following day. I didn't really get up to much, I caught up on some YouTube that I had missed with being at his house.
We travelled through to Derry on Thursday as that is where Reece goes to college. After a 40 minute train journey, he left me for college and I had a couple of hours to go shopping. I popped into Debenhams in hope that they had Kat Von D make up in store, but unfortunately they didn't. I then headed on to Primark where I bought a few bits and bobs. I went quite out of my comfort zone here and bought some off the shoulder tops, which I usually really like on the hanger, but then not so much actually on. I then went into M&S for a coffee and waited for Reece to finish college. We then took his dog, CJ, for a little walk and went down to the beach again.
Friday was spent doing not very much during the day as Reece had an assignment that was due in that day. We went out for a meal at Yoko, a Japanese restaurant at the Jet Centre with his brother and sister in law. We then played a couple of games of pool and headed off home so Reece could finish his assignment.
Saturday was my favourite day of this trip. First, we went to the Dark Hedges with Reece's parents. It was so lovely to see such a beautiful and natural attraction.
We then travelled on to Ballycastle where we bought tubs of ice creams from Morellis and walked the front to see the yachts and view across the beach. Ballycastle is really lovely and we hope to go back there next time I am over to see him.
Reece's dad then dropped us off at the Giants Causeway, where we have visited before but I will never be sick of that sight. The Causeway is a beautiful place, such a lovely view and so naturally artistic.
I found part of the Causeway called the Wishing Chair, where people from all around the world slide coins into the breaks in the stones and make a wish. Myself and Reece popped our coins in and then set off back home via the costal route.
The view from the coastal route is stunning, but I was unable to take any photographs as our luck with the weather had come to an end and it started pouring down! We were soaked to the skin so we made a quick exit to the main road and his parents picked us up.
And then today, as I write this, is Sunday and I am flying home. Many people ask me if I find it hard being in a long distance relationship. I think what people forget is that myself and Reece know no different. It's not like we met and lived in the same area and then one of us moved away. Yes, it's not easy. It's really hard when you miss the other person. You get so used to being with them all the time that when you leave them it's like being thrown into a brick wall, you no longer have somebody by your side 24/7. That's the hardest part. Hopefully it won't be much longer before we can move in together and be together every day! I'm so excited for our future and to see where it will take us!
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**Disclaimer: All views, opinions and photos are my own.**