MAD MANDY ON RATHLIN

Yours truly madly has found her spiritual home. I can’t believe that I have lived on the doorstep all my life and only went to Rathlin Island recently. It’s so wonderful I want to up sticks and go live there. The Lord Belmont and I stayed at the Manor House licensed guesthouse for two nights.

On day one we were on our way out to explore and bird watch and the MM said let’s stop in the Auld Kitchen for a quickie. I blame Darren for what happened next. We had a snifter and the conversation was so good we had another, and another, and possibly another lol. There’s an auld saying, ones too many and twos not enough. Hic.

I don’t remember staggering to McCuaig’s but I recall being made very welcome there as well. We met Bert the Puffin Bus Man and Noel who turns his hand to anything. On our way back to the Manor the sea called to me and I stripped down to my bra and pants and went for a swim. It was a scary sight for everyone but it has to be legendary stuff. The water is so clean and clear; evident by the fact that seals have made a home there. Pity I got sand in my pants. Tim stepped back rather than get splashed. Named and shamed boyo. Good job I’m buoyant. Thanks for running a bath for me to stop the teeth shattering dude.

The Manor is an old house, not a 5* hotel, so do not expect Egyptian cotton sheets or en suite facilities. What it lacks in luxury it makes up for in hospitality and gastronomic delight. Willie is the most talented chef. He serves up food to die for. Tim and I shared homemade soup, goat’s cheese and beetroot salad, a lobster thermadore and baked salmon polished off with a chocolate pudding that we couldn’t finish because we were stuffed.

Tim had the fry up for breakfast and I had the Eggs Benedict with Davy’s free range duck egg. I’m not normally a breakfast person but it was so delicious I ate the lot.

After breakfast on Thursday we actually took the Puffin Bus driven by the brave and capable Patricia to the RSPB centre. The roads are narrow and winding. Well done Babe. I had the heebie geebies when we went down to the lighthouse viewing point as I have no head for heights but it was so amazing. Johnny had the telescopes set up for us and I was so moved to see the antics of the birds that I was close to blubbing. They mate for life.  Please support the RSPB peeps. When you sign up you get a welcome pack second to none and it’s a fantastic gift for children. It rained cats and dogs and we were soaked but had a great time anyway.

We had the “Tapas” in the bar in the evening and once again it was delicious. More than Tapas … a medley of delights. My mouth is watering at the thought of the food.  

The Rathlin Islanders are so friendly and laid back. And so are the lads and lasses who “blow in” for the season to work. They are all welcoming and can’t do enough for travellers. It’s like joining one big happy family. No pretentiousness ... Just home grown friendliness. 

We met some wonderful folk. I fell in love with the handsome and very tall Colorado. Gregg’s ancestor emigrated from Rathlin to the US of A and I know he would be proud that his great great grandson has done good and come back to visit. If only I weren’t married and were taller and younger I would have given that man a spin round the dance floor. Trevor and Johanna had the sense to bring a big brolly. The three of them did some walking and clearly have stamina because Rathlin has steep hills that I sure couldn’t climb but the views are fabulous and make the effort worth it.

So back to the Manor where we meet more lovely peeps. NIE were doing an upgrade and the electricity was off all day. Many locals came to have a meal. Mark lit the fire. I can still smell the wonderful aroma of turf.        Peter took pictures with an awesome camera and Sarah got the guitar out and played and sang. She is one of the famous Black family. It was grand stuff. GO VISIT