Surfing the Sound waves

Surf club is the best club in Queens. No wait. THE WORLD! Anyone who has me as a friend on facebook would observe that more than 85% of my status' evolve around this God send of a society. It is a non-discriminatory group. We let in gingers, smurfs, giants, the English, the French (granted this was before the Henry incident) and the turkish. Spooning is compulsory ;). Most trips involve surfing or some form of extreme water activity i.e. wakeboarding, along with the ability to socialise, normally a few beverages are included (in crazy horses case Pochin was necessary).

Downings was our latest expedition. The last occasion was simply a celebration of what a brilliant year we have had. Well that year was knocked out with a bang! The excitement began with Crilly and myself actually making it from Belfast to Letterkenny, Letterkenny to Downings by bus and from Downings to the Harbour Bar.The main part of the weekend was spent chilling on the beach, frisbeeing, eating, swimming, pier jumping and by night having a civilised few drinks in the house whilst either playing cards, Bop it or watching Dvds. It must be noted that this is definately uncharacteristic for the surf club and thus was later to be resolved.

On the added on last night we felt that The Harbour bar aka Martin's was needed. We aimed to have a civilised night as the rest of the holiday had been. Well. I will leave it up to the rest of you to decide how civilised it actually was. We sat over a drink and discussed things such as the Golf, the scenary and the lovely people withing this small town. Civilised...yeh? Then the guitar entered. This group of musical social drinkers sat down beside us. And well we had are singing voices on us and the whole of Downings heard us. Breakfast at tiffany's, The Eagles, Van Morrison, Inrique Eglasias, Oasis, Paolo Nutini, Jack Johnson. These Downings folk are literally the most talented people I have ever met. They literally play any song and make it their own as well as playing any instrument possible

....even a barrel.

The singing eventually got too much for the golfers inside and thus we got kicked out of Martin's. Not to worry though we continued the party outside. Literally outside the front door. The party spirit of everyone who was kicked out led to the party moving from their to the caravan site at which point mandalins arrived, along with harmonicas and...Spoons. The sing song continued along with the magical arrival of MORE alcohol. It was hard to believe that everyone made it until 7am the next morning but that is how it went down.





If you want a good time do you know where you have to go Downings and just make sure the surf club are there as well for that added experience.
xox

The Frost of excitement

August 2007 Snow Patrol froze all of Northern Ireland by holding a concert in Ward Park, Bangor.

June 2010 They return for some more Home BANTAHHHHHH!

When Bangor heard that there was going to be a return concert again this year there was a mixed reception. Many (like myself and the 71c-ites) were keenos and purchased our tickets straight away, others were sceptical and believed that it would be no different to other concerts. Inevitably, all those who were of the opinion that it was going to be rubbish were the ones queueing for tickets from 10am that morning.

The day started off with priority No. 1: Sunny weather and No. 2: the early preswall. Meeting the most cross aged party of drinkers is possibly the best way to start of a day like that. It also gives of the spirit that it really was a "Bangor" thing. Our table consisted of Sarah Boal, Sully, all generations of the Kelly and Church familly, Laura Kearney, Harry Thompson, Ross Anderson, Hannah, Crilly and Myself. The Salty Dog hosted a Crilly/ Davis drink off which I won and have the genie in a lamp prize to prove it(despite what all others at the table would suggest). At this point the buzz about Bangor was getting the most of people and the youngest members of the group decided that a sunflower sandwich was a must before the concert. Thus we bid our farewells to the group and made way on our journey.

Sunflower in hand, money from atm collected and several phone calls to envious friends made, we embarked on the walk to Ward Park. General Fiasco up first and all the keenos in the venue were just chilling to their beats. As the support acts kept coming more and more people began to stand...this is a major problem for myself as incase you haven't noticed...I'M TINY. This ceases to be a problem however when you meet your brother from another mother (Gavin "the legend" Duffy) who places you on his shoulders for what felt like 45 minutes. It was just enough time to see nearly the entire set of SnowPatrol (who put on a nice wee show complete with Gary singing in a Northern Ireland Shirt just to add the finishing touches). The concert ended with a bang. Literally. There were fireworks. Everyone had to agree upon what a quality day it had been.

Foxes vs Snowpatrol. This was the debate. Last time Snowpatrol came. The Foxes (my cousins) had a party as they live just off the golf course- a perfect distance from Ward Park. Many had argued that it was the best part of the night. I would have to agree for both years. Chip van there... bar there (complete with barmen) and plenty of people high in spirit from the concert led to a perfect way to round of the day. From the hunt round the golf-course for Gavin to the lessons for the older generations on how to pour student measures, everyone ended the day more fulfilled than when they started. Oh wait sorry I meant Full.

Snowpatrol 2010 was better than 2007. Maybe it was because I am older and can fully appreciate it, maybe the band actually put on a better show or maybe it was because I could legally buy my own carry-out, which ever it was has left a hard act for the next Snowpatrol concert to follow. Bangor will however be waiting eagerly.

xox