"Enniskillen and the Boyne"

Oh the Glorious 12th!!

The 12th July demonstration for County Fermanagh was hosted by my village this year and on its previous 2 visits the weather has been so beautiful, and today was no exception! The sun shone from early morning and everyone was fried by mid afternoon! Our poor Irish skin was suffering in the uninterrupted sunshine!

This was the first year in a long time that I've been able to watch the parade go past as I'm usually in it, playing within the ranks of Ballinamallard Accordion Band. Last year I missed the parade because of starting my job, but this year I really felt the pull back to the band to get back out on parade for just one day! I didn't think I missed being a part of it as much until today! So to help, I walked behind the band on the return leg of the trip, falling easily and unintentionally into step behind them and remembering the tunes they played like it was only yesterday I'd played them myself rather than over 2 years previously!

Sad that a day like today is tarnished by the rioting in Belfast. The national news only ever sees the bad side of the 12th July. It fails to remember that 12th parades elsewhere in N.Ireland pass off peacefully year after year! Fermanagh considers its 12th a family day out!

Finished today with a trip to the new hang-out in Enniskillen which I seemed to be the only person from the county not to have been in yet - Jazzeys, the new cocktail bar. And it didn't disappoint! Joined by Ruthie, Izze and Diana, we nattered away our evening, catching up with each other.

My week at home is quickly coming to an end - it will soon be time to pack again! :(

# The Sash my Father Wore - Anon #