The walking was wonderful. It was so varied. I think we all enjoyed the Giant’s Causeway day and the last day the best. And as for the weather, I have to say that I got wetter walking home from the Underground Station than I did the whole week.

Nina was great. She made us laugh a lot, as well as having read every book and every film that anybody mentioned.

But it was your company that was the best of all. We loved your relaxed style, and all the info. and history that you gave us, and the things and places you showed us. And the singing and readings, and your kindness in finishing up for tea rather than a pub. And all that driving. Cicely
Cicelytaylor@live.co.uk

Many elements melded to make this an exceptional and unforgettable week. It was an unusually small group, with only three of us plus Sean. We hit it off beautifully and quite quickly felt as if we had known each other for a long time. That may have been serendipitous chemistry or perhaps it was Sean’s special gift for making people feel completely at ease. The weather gods were also on our side. Despite Ireland’s well-deserved fame for providing more than its share of “liquid sunshine,” we had only a few hours of a medium drizzle all week—most of which was spent walking through a beautiful sheltered forest on the Ards peninsula. The rest of the week was a brilliant mix of scenery. Our first day was on Rathlin Island, the northernmost point of Northern Ireland and a short ferry ride from the mainland. It’s a birder’s paradise—with puffins, guillemots, razorbills, and kittiwakes, among other species. Fantastic density of bird life! The next day we went to the Giant’s Causeway, an astonishing sight made even more dramatic by the long coastal pathways we took to reach it. A complete change of scene (and mood) came with our visit to the walled city of Derry, a place whose turbulent history Sean knows so well. Yet another change of scene came with our walk around Glenveagh Castle, straight out of a fairy tale with its exotic gardens (but somewhat menacing history). Our final day was on the Fanad Peninsula, a place of magnificent beaches. While each cove has its own singular character, the entire coastline has a completely otherworldly feel to it.

Each day’s walks were special and distinct, but really it was Sean’s intimate knowledge of the area that made the trip so memorable. When a person is so excited to show you his favorite tree in a garden of many wonderful trees or his favorite rock in a setting of spectacular rocks or a view that he particularly treasures above others, that—in my mind—is the kind of sharing that truly enhances the experience. Sean focuses on Antrim and Donegal exclusively because he knows those areas so thoroughly. And it’s not just the natural sites that he knows; he’s also got a fine list of accommodations and restaurants to soothe and sustain. Want more? Ask him to sing a song or read a poem or two. He’ll oblige, and with an absolutely lovely voice, to boot. Nina
ntobier@earthlink.net

Our week in Ireland went so quickly – it was a wonderful experience in every way – meeting you and Nina, the lovely walks, the talks, learning from you all about the area and its geography, history and geology, the good and delicious food, the Guinness (es), in fact everything conspired to make my visit really interesting and memorable. I also feel a bit fitter as a result of the exercise, but certainly no slimmer!
Love and best wishes, Hilary
h.m.beau1@btinternet.com