At the Coffee Yard

Holywood in County Down seems to be quiet this morning. This is my first of two visits to the town today, since I'm meeting BP for a session at the DD tonight.

I parked the two-seater quite easily, ambled with the netbook to the Coffee Yard, ordered a fruit scone with an Americano coffee; and I am presently seated downstairs awaiting my aunt and Pat. They arrive at eleven or thereafter.

So far, it is quiet here, too, and I have taken the usual seat without any trouble. The cooked breakfast, coffee and scones are all of a good standard here, though I haven't indulged in the eggs and bacon; I have seen it and it does look most appetizing.

They have free wi-fi here and they are definitely family-friendly.

Late Results

I thought we had "come into line" in Northern Ireland re vote counting. The counting for yesterday's polls begins this morning: Why didn't the counting commence immediately after the election poll yesterday evening? Is it some kind of stubbornness on the part of the authorities; or some arcane regulation pertaining to the Province which brings us out of line with everyone else?

The Wiggly Worm!

The columnist, Richard Kay, has given us an amusing tale this morning about three year-old Eliza, the Duchess of Cornwall's granddaughter, and the Wiggly Worm:

When Eliza, whose mother Laura Lopes is Camilla’s daughter, looked scared at the roar of the crowd on the carriage ride from Westminster Abbey back to Buckingham Palace, best man Harry quickly pulled it out of his pocket to make the youngster laugh.

The trick worked so well that Eliza refused to hand the toy back and insisted on hanging on to it for the official wedding photographs, taken by society snapper Hugo Burnand.The photographs were sent around the world — but no one has spotted the toy until now. 

‘Did you see the wiggly worm? That was the funniest thing. I can’t believe no one has spotted it,’ Camilla said yesterday. 

‘I was so worried about Eliza. She is such a lovely little thing and looked so gorgeous in her dress but it was a very big occasion for a child of her age.'Harry pulled this wiggly worm out of his pocket in the carriage to keep them amused. 

Eliza loved it so much that she wouldn’t let go and it even made the official photographs. 'Can you believe it? She was holding onto my finger but in her other hand was this worm'.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1383268/RICHARD-KAY-Secrets-royal-snaps-1-worm.html#ixzz1LMdYWJte

Gorse Arsonists

The young hooligans who start gorse fires are anti-social imbeciles and cretins; probably not much worse than their parents. They ought to be apprehended, brought before magistrates and sent to prison for several months, no matter what their age is. To my mind that is what should be done.

Guest List

Who, from Northern Ireland, attended the Royal Wedding? There must have a few guests other than this list of mine:

• The eight Lord-Lieutenants, representing the six counties of the Province plus the cities of Belfast and Londonderry, viz. Mrs Joan Christie, Lord Caledon, Dame Mary Peters, David Lindsay Esq, Lord Erne, Denis Desmond Esq, Donal Keegan Esq, Robert Scott Esq. Were their spouses invited also? 
• The two archbishops of Armagh 
• The First Minister of Northern Ireland; Mrs Robinson declined
• The Duke of Abercorn, being a Garter Knight and former Lord Steward of the Household; was the Duchess invited?

Baronetage Conclusion

Sadly drawing to a conclusion of my complete Ulster Baronetage series (which will be repeated with minor editorial revisions later), the oldest baronetcies - several still extant - are O'Neill, Stewart, Staples, Acheson, Skeffington, Macdonnell, Leigh and Gore.

I hope readers have found the series to be of some interest and, of course, if I have inadvertently omitted any NI baronetcies, please do let me know!

Belmont at Chelsea

I didn't dump the trusty cycle in the bushes this time, having suffered yet another puncture a week ago due to tiny berberis thorns.

Instead, I simply chained it to a lamp-post along the railway platform. The 18:23 duly arrived, I paid the pretty blonde conductress the £3.50 for a return ticket to Adelaide halt (within striking distance of the Lisburn Road in Belfast).

I met BP at "Central" station (heaven knows why they gave it that appellation) and we got off at the deserted Adelaide halt on what was really a fine evening.

The Lisburn Road was sunny and quiet. Less than ten minutes took us to the Chelsea Wine Bar, stated to be "Belfast's original wine-bar ... situated among the fine boutiques, art galleries and beauty salons of south Belfast ... here you mingle with the fashion cognoscenti in an elegant, relaxing environment with fine food and wines".

I have to say that I did rather like it. It seems fairly modern in its décor to me, with modern art, wooden flooring, banquette seating at the sides and very trendy, leathery armchairs which recline if you press your back against them; very comfy.

The waitresses are charming here, wearing smart outfits with aprons. They smile a lot; they are engaging; well turned out; attentive, since they were along in a flash when they noticed our glasses depleted.

The menu is imaginative, too: I had the Hog Roast Sandwich, slow roast shoulder of pork with caramelised onion gravy, served with chips and salad at £8.95. BP enjoyed the fiery Crispy Honey Chilli Chicken, served on stir fry vegetables, egg noodles in a honey chilli sauce, also £8.95.

No complaints about the standard of cuisine at all: My pork was lean and tender with, as stated, an onion gravy, a generous salad and very good little chips served in a deep bowl. I tasted BP's chilli chicken and liked it, too. The chilli was certainly discernible.

Despite the wine-list having over 100 wines to choose from, including Krug at £150, I stuck to Plymouth gin throughout the evening.

It was quiet when we arrived, though patrons, many of them ladies, began arriving and the bar was "buzzing" by ten o'clock. Most of them went upstairs, where live music had begun; and we, too, ventured upstairs after our food.

Unfortunately we didn't meet anybody on this occasion, the last train being at 23:10; though we both agreed that, had we met anybody, we could have got a taxi home.

I think it's a good place and we both agreed that we shall pay a return visit soon.