The Ugly Duckling

The Ugly Duckling remains one of my favourite restaurants in Corralejo. Reservations are essential because of its diminutive size.

It has, I think, seven tables inside; and the kitchen is very small, too; so small, indeed, that Henrik has to turn away many who haven't booked in advance.

I've written often about this special little establishment before.

Henrik, the proprietor, is Danish, and one of the most courteous hosts you are ever likely to meet.

I invariably email Henrik a few weeks before I visit, and last night was no exception; in fact I reserved for three dates.

Incidentally, they are relocating soon to a new and improved location at Calle El Pulpo, near the Dunas Club apartments and the harbour.

I opted for the signature Green Salad as a starter; followed by the salmon, with bearnaise butter, mashed potatoes, and spinach.

Henrik poured me a flute of well chilled cava.

His parents were seated at the table beside me. Henrik introduced me to them, a delightful couple.

The bill was about €25.

Strong Alioli

I'm spending some time in Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, specifically the resort of Corralejo, which I know well.

Yesterday I acclimatised myself in the old town and revisited many familiar haunts.

The town's infrastructure is still being improved: a number of key streets have been pedestrianised to a high standard.

After lunch I had a refresher at Soul Bar-Café in Music Square, which has about one hundred varieties of gin.

Alas, our Shortcross gin does not, as yet, feature on the list; though I commended it to them.

I enjoyed a very simple dinner of chicken escalope with a few chips and salad at Avenida restaurant.

I'm convinced that they have possibly the best alioli in the town: it's strength does it credit; not for the faint-hearted!

At the conclusion of my evening I sat at the bijou Bar Bouganville, where I sipped a White Russian cocktail.

Robert Quigg VC

The possibility is being examined of having a dedicated memorial or sculpture in the admirable little  village of Bushmills, County Antrim, to honour Sergeant Robert Quigg VC, who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his valour at the Battle of the Somme.

Discussions have taken place at Moyle Council in Ballycastle and it was agreed to write to the Royal British Legion in Bushmills and the Macnaghten family, of Dundarave, to get their views.

Many, including self, would like to see a memorial in place in Bushmills ahead of 2016 which will be the centenary of Quigg's heroics in World War One.

A local historian, Robert Thompson, said:

"In July of 1916 Robert Quigg risked his life to rescue wounded soldiers at the Somme and was awarded the Victoria Cross for his efforts.
"He is the only Victoria Cross winner north of Belfast, yet he is ignored by his home town of Bushmills. If this was anywhere else in the world he would be feted and honoured forever."

North Antrim Assemblyman Robin Swann is also pushing for a memorial. He said:

"While Robert is acknowledged by the presence of a plaque at the War Memorial, the community have suggested that a more fitting tribute or a statue or sculpture could be provided in time for the centenary of his actions.
"I am sure the community will play a full part in planning such a tribute but clearly leadership from the Council in delivering such a memorial will be very important."

Robert Quigg, from the village, enlisted in the 12th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles (Mid-Antrim Volunteers) during World War One.

His platoon commander was Lieutenant Harry Macnaghten (Sir Edward Harry Macnaghten, 6th Baronet, 1896–1916).

On 1 July Robert's platoon advanced three times only to be beaten back by the Germans. Many hundreds of the 12th Battalion were either killed or wounded.

In the confusion of battle it became known that Lieutenant Macnaghten was missing. Robert Quigg immediately volunteered to go out into no-man's land and search for his commander.

His actions during that fruitless search led him to receive the Victoria Cross.

His citation reads as follows:

Hearing a rumour that his platoon officer was lying wounded, he went out seven times to look for him, under heavy shell and machine-gun fire, each time bringing back a wounded man.

The last man he dragged on a waterproof sheet from within yards of the enemy's wire. He was seven hours engaged in this most gallant work, and was finally so exhausted that he had to give it up.
The body of Sir (Edward) Harry Macnaghten, 6th Baronet, was never found.

Most tragically for Edith, Lady Macnaghten, her two sons, the 6th and 7th Baronets, were both killed in action.

Robert Quigg returned to Bushmills to a hero's welcome. He died in 1955 and was buried with full military honours at Billy Church.

Councillor Joan Baird described Quigg as "a very famous hero of our area".

First published in August,  2011.

William John English VC

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL WILLIAM JOHN ENGLISH VC, born on 6 October 1882 in Cork, was the son of Major William English OBE; educated at Harvey Grammar School in Folkstone, Kent from 1894-98; and Campbell College, Belfast from 1898-99.

After a short spell in the Merchant Navy, he left it in South Africa and in November 1900 joined the the Scottish Horse.

In March, 1901, he received his commission as Lieutenant in the 2nd Scottish Horse.

The citation of his VICTORIA CROSS reads as follows:

This officer, with five men, was holding the position at Vlakfontein on 3 July 1901 during an attack by the Boers. Two of his men were killed and two wounded, but the position was still held, largely owing to the lieutenant's personal pluck. When the ammunition ran short, he went over to the next party and obtained more; to do so he had to cross some 15 yards of open ground, under a heavy fire at a range of from 20 to 30 yards.

After his retirement in 1930 he lived at Kings Road, Knock, in Belfast where he was the Northern Ireland organiser for the National Association for Employment of Regular Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen.

In August, 1939, he formed in Northern Ireland a Group of the National Defence Corps which in November of that year, became the 6th Battalion, The Royal Ulster Rifles.

In April, 1941, he left to take up an unknown appointment in the Middle East but died at sea on the 4th July. He is buried in Maala Cemetery in Aden. 

A researcher from the Imperial War Museum recently advised that the English VC medal group is leaving Campbell College, Belfast, and heading to the Lord Ashcroft VC & GC Gallery in the Imperial War Museum, London, on a ten year loan.

Gavin has sent the researcher over some photos from his English VC research.

An interesting video is here:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newsvideo/8111160/Lord-Ashcroft-introduces-Extraordinary-Heroes-exhibition.html

http://www.gavinbamford.utvinternet.com/EnglishVC.htm

http://www.ulsterhistory.co.uk/240604.htm

First published in November, 2010.

Requisite Bung

There were ten of us on Island Taggart yesterday.

For those of you who might not have been following the narrative, Island Taggart belongs to the National Trust.

It lies on Strangford Lough, County Down, near Killyleagh.

At the moment we're using a dinghy to get to the island from an old quay on the mainland.

This dinghy has a four horse-power outboard motor; though we are apprised that the NT is giving us a new boat next year.

We presently have to use a cork bung to keep it afloat; modern technology is marvellous!

The island is merely five minutes' away from the mainland at any rate.

Today, as usual, we cut and burned gorse.

The hedgerows on Taggart are rich with blackthorn, hawthorn, rose-hips, blackberries and many other plants so essential to birds at this time of year.

Tomasz managed to pick some rose-hips at lunchtime.

Summer House

I'm absolutely delighted that the adorable little summer-house or gazebo at Florence Court, County Fermanagh, has been rebuilt to its original specifications.

The first one was maliciously burnt just over a year ago.

I'd only wish to extend my compliments and cordial congratulations to all involved in this splendid and admirable feat; especially those in County Fermanagh and the Impartial Reporter newspaper.

Taggart Revisited

East Down Yacht Club from the island

I spent a terrific day on Island Taggart yesterday with about a dozen other National Trust volunteers.

This was my first visit since September, 2013.

The island has a considerable amount of gorse in places, so we were cutting and burning it.

The field we concentrated on was on the western side of the island, directly opposite East Down Yacht Club.

In fact we landed on the shore here; indeed it's a pity we can't use the yacht club as a base to get over to Taggart.

The field in question is below the old farmstead at the top of the island, which was last inhabited in 1967.

At lunchtime Hugh and Maureen arrived in Cuan Brig, the National Trust barge, in order to deliver parts of a cattle pen.

There are believed to be 28 cattle on the island, including one bull.

Royalty in Fermanagh

His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent is undertaking a two-day visit to County Fermanagh.

The Duke of Kent this morning visited Ready Eggs Limited, Manor Water House Farm, Lisnaskea, County Fermanagh.

His Royal Highness, President, Royal National Lifeboat Institution, this afternoon opened Carrybridge Lifeboat Station, Carrybridge, County Fermanagh.

HRH later viewed an emergency services exercise at Enniskillen Airport, 62 Killadeas Road, Trory, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh.

The Duke of Kent opened Horizon West Children's Hospice, Killadeas, Enniskillen, and was received by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of County Fermanagh (the Viscount Brookeborough).

His Royal Highness this afternoon visited Arc Healthy Living Centre, 116-122 Sallys Wood, Irvinestown, County Fermanagh.

The Duke of Kent, President, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, later visited the Commonwealth War Graves in Derryvullan North Church of Ireland Churchyard, County Fermanagh.

His Royal Highness subsequently visited the recently restored Famine Graveyard in Reihill Park, Irvinestown.

The Duke of Kent afterwards visited St. Gabriel's Retreat, the Graan, Enniskillen.

His Royal Highness later visited the Inniskillings Museum, the Castle, Enniskillen.

HRH visited the ARC Healthy Living Centre in Irvinestown and met staff and guests.

His Royal Highness also met a range of volunteers from uniformed organisations, hospital volunteers and recipients of the British Empire Medal.

Greenway Progress

View from Mersey Street Bridge, October, 2015

Work progresses well along the river Conn's Water in east Belfast.

Yesterday I visited Mersey Street and, at the bridge, two large cement lorries were stationary.

The scene is looking from Mersey Street Bridge towards Victoria Park.

At the moment it's hard to visualize the new paths in correlation to the river, though of course this increases one's interest and enthusiasm.

Work has also begun further along the river, at Beer's Bridge.

McCutcheon's Field Day

Tomasz has considered that today might have been one of our final visits to McCutcheon's Field in 2015.

This property of the National Trust is about a mile from Groomsport, County Down.

Today, yet again, we were cutting and burning gorse bushes.

The Dexter cattle were there.

there were about eight of us today.

Castle Ward Visit

I spent a most agreeable three hours at Castle Ward yesterday, on what was a fine, sunny autumn day.

Castle Ward, County Down, is, of course, the ancestral seat of the Viscounts Bangor. Indeed, the family still has an apartment in the mansion house.

When I arrived I made a bee-line for the cafeteria in the stable-yard, where I had a delicious bowl of very thick curried carrot and parsnip soup, served with a generous slice of wheaten-bread.

Castle Ward has been a property of the National Trust since the early 1950s.

The Tack Room

I think the 7th Viscount gave the estate to the Northern Ireland government at the time as part of death duties.

After lunch, I took advantage of the free wi-fi in the stable-yard and posted a few photographs.

Thence I donned the wellington boots and had a long walk through the estate woodland.

I passed the former gamekeeper's cottage, otherwise known as the Bunkhouse; the pond; and a very large field with cattle.

BACK at the mansion house, I admired the prospect from the garden front of Strangford Lough.

Scrub and bushes have been cleared from the area between the house and the stable-yard outbuildings, revealing a very small single-storey cottage or bothy, which has obviously been derelict for many years.

I've been coming to Castle Ward since I was a boy and I've never seen this building before.

I wonder what its purpose was? Did it store something?

Bonito Cottage

Before I departed I visited the farmyard, where Old Castle Ward is located, and walked past the former smithy to the charming Bonito Cottage.