Fun nights out in Belfast

Even though Ben takes up pretty much all Marguerite and Jude's spare time these days they still allow themselves a night out once a month (or so).  The fact that Marguerite's family are always wanting to look after Ben really makes things very easy indeed.  Here are Marguerite and Jude out with Jude's brother Paul and Paul's girlfriend Trisha.







So tonight's plan was to do one of Marguerite and Jude's magical meal crawls.  For those who don't know what that is - it's were you have a starter in one place, a main meal in another and then a desert in another.  It's a fun way of having a meal and you get to do a pub crawl into-the-bargain.  It's the perfect night out!!!! 









'Ahhh let's get some of this diesel on here', mumbled Paul.  It's hard to believe but tonight Paul, at the ripe old age of 30 plus VAT, was having his first ever Oyster!!!!

The Mourne Seafood Restaurant was the starting point tonight but the gang were guilty of having a little bit more food than usual for their starter and then not being able to handle anything afterwards ....... besides beer of course!  So the meal crawl lasted just for the starters only.   









Amazingly ........ Trisha was also sampling Oysters for the first time tonight!   Oysters, Mussels, Prawns, Salmon ...... ahhhhh sure it was perfect.

 










It's time to pay the bill and Paul's saying, 'you two are going nowhere, get your money out ye two tight gits ye! 

Seriously, it's group hug time Paul-style!












Trisha clearly did not get tonight's dress code memo ...... it must have read ..... 'wear something blue'.

The bag Marguerite is holding is a gift that Paul and Trisha have given for Ben.  The bag Jude is holding contains some records ....... yes some old-school 33rpm records that Paul has brought him back from Liverpool.  The night would end with Jude playing those very records on his new cool record player when he got in.





After a wee crawl around such great places as The John Hewitt and The Duke of York the gang found themselves in that great watering hole that is Kelly's Cellars.  Moments prior to this pic being taken Marguerite chucked on some lipstick while Jude and Paul just fixed their hair!









Just prior to going to America Jude had a 'going away' party with his five brothers (see blog - Jan 2009).  Well just like that night in 2009 ....... the craic was ninety in Kelly Cellars!












Marguerite, Jude, Paul and Trisha having great craic in Kelly's Cellars. 


















It's the next morning and Ben is up bright and early and opening his gift which Paul and Trisha got him. 

What could it be?













Ohhh lovely ....... it's a nice..... wait .... it's a .....













........ it's a smelly Arsenal toothbrush.  'Ahh sure that's grand Ben, we'll use that to clean the toilet', Jude said to Ben.












'Ahhhhhhhh', said Ben as this cool Mickey Mouse was unwrapped.  Ben just loves getting gifts!  Thanks Uncle Paul and Auntie Trisha.













Another gift that Ben got recently was his class wee Hurl-og and sliothar which he received from his Uncle Kevin and Aunt Mary.  Here he is checking it out. 












Continuing Ben's world of discovery - here he is in thee shower.  He loves the shower.  He loves standing in it ........ when it is dry!  He actually likes being in the shower when it is on but he thinks this is a cool place to hid at all other times. 











This cheeky smile would imply that he knows he should not be in there!














Some days Ben likes to help out with the hoovering!













On another night out in Belfast Jude re-united with his auld chums from Boston.  The first pic taken today, appropriately enough, included Lady Liberty herself (in The Eglantine Inn).  Here with Jude are, L-R: Bryan 'shut-eye' Lyons, Ian 'The Banker' McLoughlin, Ciaran 'Are ye from Derry yerself' McGinn and Dave 'I've got swagger' Egan.








It was great to meet up with the lads again.  Many a great day, and night, was had in Boston with this bunch and soon enough the banter quickly picked up pace.  Here is Ciaran reminiscing about his days at queens when he spent many an evening at 'The Buckfast Bar' in the Eglantine Inn. 









Later in the evening and the lads had shuffled their way down to Philthy McNasties pub on the Dublin Road.  By this time the lad's vision may have been somewhat blurred ....... kinda like this photo then!  Here are Jude, Ian, Bryan and Dave.










Believe it or not this is the sensible pic of two similar shots.  Looking cool while looking down at the camera are, from 12 O'clock are: Stephanie, Bryan, Jude, Dave, Kevin, Caoltan, Ciaran and Ian.











And here is the insensible shot of the same group.  Looking cool while looking down at the camera are, from 12 O'clock are: Stephanie, Bryan, Jude, Dave, Kevin, Caoltan, Ciaran and Ian.  And the funniest face winner was ....... Kevin (at 6 o'clock).

As always it was great catching up with the lads ....... roll on the summer until the gang meet up again.