21 July 2021

It's a glorious day. The sun is shining brightly in the sky. It's been like this for days and yes we are enjoying it! It's 29° today and it feels like we're on a holiday just missing the food and drinks and most especially the beach. So I told to my husband we have to go to the beach to make the most of this brilliant weather.

It's too hot for Mum to go so we plan to go in the evening. We're ready to go at half 6. The kids are very excited and already plan on swimming. But Mum change her mind and just want to stay in the house. We don't want to go without her but Mum insist we have to take the kids out. She said she wants to sleep, so off we go.

Millisle Beach Park

This park has a sandy beach, picnic facilities and a children playground. The playground has interactive equipment even for exercising. It has car parking and public toilets with disabled access.

The Playground

What I love about this specific place is that they have the beach, the ice cream shop and the playground. Everything I need for the kids so they can't tell me that they are bored. They jump out of the car as soon as we stop. They can't just wait to go in the water. As usual many flocks to the beach in weather like this.

And off they just run to the water. This is the first time that they are going to swim on the beach because even the sun is out in here, the water is freezing but today it's nice enough to get soaked.

After they had enough in the water, they went back to the jeep and ask daddy for ice cream. Of course, you don't just go to the beach to swim, you have to eat ice cream too! This is Tia's favourite part. I think she only comes here for the ice cream! 🤣

Ah, look at that big smile. It must be really good! She really can buy and sell you.

And Mommy will have the same, a lotus cheesecake and hot chocolate because Daddy already eat ice cream while we are all in the water.

And after they finish their ice cream, they run to the park and play. Jigz meets boys and he played football with them. Tia enjoying herself playing. She just jumping around, climbing and just having a good time. This is really a great place. The park is big enough for kids to play in. There's also a play area for younger ones.

And it's time to go home. And that's the time they will say "5 more minutes!" And as I thought we are heading home, the husband took us to, Ballyhalbert and ended up in Portavogie Harbour.

Portavogie Harbour

Portavogie is one of the main fishing ports in the province and home to a large active fleet of traditional fishing boats. Portavogie is the second largest fishing village in Northern Ireland with nearby Kilkeel being the largest. This town is famous for its herrings and prawns. This is a seafood lover's paradise.

Aside from the seagulls, you can see their resident seals in the harbour because they can have good treats in this place. It's just that my phone camera is not good enough to capture such. We see 4 seals and the kids are delighted to see them for the first time.

Fishing Fleets at Portavogie Harbour

We watch as the boat unload all their catch in the fishing hub just beside the harbour. And I think from here it goes to seafood processing plants and they say they do auctions as well. You have to bid for the seafood! That's for wholesalers of course.

Also at the side of the harbour, you will see this Portavogie Memorial for its fishermen who lost or died at the sea.

And that's our day in the harbour end. It's getting late. We head home and I excitedly cook the clams that we bought!

And we have a lovely day! I wonder how was yours? What did you do today?

Thank you for reading.