The Luggage Diaries: The Coach House

When Dean and I lived in Belfast from 1998-2000, we divided our time between two wonderful little rental homes. We had two different sets of landlords and both were huge blessings to us outside of our rental agreement and we are still connected all these years later. The first landlords and their extended family, the Beggs, are tremendously dear and we got to visit with them on our way up the coast today...but more on that visit, plus our pictures from the coast drive on tomorrow's post (it'll be a doozy)!

Today, I want you to meet the second set of landlords, John and Rosemary Sherlock. We rented an apartment from them the second half of our time here, located directly across from the university in a divided home that fronted Belfast Lough (pronounced, "lock;" the beautiful and scenic stretch of water that reaches into Belfast Harbor). But John and Rosemary also have several guest quarters on the property of their own home, which they rent out as "self-catering" holiday accommodation, which means "cook and clean for yourself, people!" When we got serious about doing this trip, Rosemary was one of the first people I contacted (Abbey Self-Catering, www.abbeyselfcatering.co.uk). Turns out they had just redone the coach house and received a 5-star rating from the tourist board for their work! Check us in, Rosemary!

We arrived yesterday and it truly could not be a more perfect temporary home for our family--beautiful inside and out, perfectly located for our needs...and right next door to John and Rosemary, which is just a bonus all the way around. We popped over this morning to say "hello" on our way to the Beggs' farm and up the coast and wanted to share some of our pictures and stories about them....

The coziest living room! Huge windows the length of the room look out to a beautifully-kept patio garden.

Peeking from the living room into the newly-remodeled, gorgeous and modern kitchen.

Our lush garden patio! Well done, Rosemary!

The outside of this home just charms me into oblivion. Georgian doorway dreamland! Could you swoon?

I know what you're thinking: the Caddy just adds so much, sitting in the driveway....

This is Mamie's cozy room! She is thrilled to her toenails.

Upstairs hallway...I cannot even put to words how perfect and homey this little house is!

Where Dean and I settled...you had me at slate blue gingham, Rosemary.

Everyone, meet John and Rosemary. Would you please look at how cute they are? Sitting out in their garden having their breakfast on this gorgeous Belfast morning!}

The fact that they just brought their whole pot of oatmeal outside with them makes me love this moment even more than I already did.

View of John and Rosemary's gorgeous historic home, which fronts Belfast Lough (the body of water in the background). It's like a scene out of a Jane Austen novel!! Oh, Dean, dear--please fetch me my parasol--I feel in danger of sunburn [fans herself in a pretend panic]!

One of the cutest Northern Irish couples I've met! Landlords with lessees. In fact, Rosemary told me today that John used to be "her" landlord--and that's how they met! LOVE them!

John is a sculptor by trade, but managed properties for most of his career until around twelve years ago--right around the time we left Northern Ireland. He returned to his passion as he eased into retirement and has become quite accomplished in that time--receiving many significant commissions from both governments and the private sector, including a bronze frieze commissioned by the FBI, the presentation for which John and Rosemary were flown to the US several years ago. John even received the OBE (Order of the British Empire) medal at Buckingham Palace a couple of years back. This bust is his latest work, which is now in the drying phase before he will bronze it, which he says is the hardest part.