It’s been a while since we’ve seen Paddy and Plunkett, hasn’t it? But that doesn’t mean they haven’t been out and about… In fact, an email from them landed in just recently! Let’s find out what they’ve been up to, shall we?
Aha! There’s Paddy now… With a sundial. What time is it showing, Paddy?
“Um… Cloudy!”
Fair enough. A sundial in Ireland has a pretty limited operating window, even in summer! I wonder where Plunkett has got to?
Oh, there he is. With… Another sundial!
“Look at this, Paddy! This multi-dial sundial can be used at any time of the year, with one dial for British Summer Time and a second to use in the winter. I think summer time is on the side where you’re standing – what time is it?”
“Ummmm… Still cloudy!”
Oh well, at least they can appreciate the different designs and shapes. And it turns out that this place is full of ever more intricate sundials… We’re in The Time Garden at Carnfunnock Country Park, right here:
This next sundial is more like a sculpture!
“The Cut Cube Dial has angles cut into its sides, and the shadows cast by these allow you to read the time on a series of diagonal markings on the cube’s faces.”
“Plunkett, this is all getting very complicated!”
But it doesn’t stop there. Look at this one!
Neither of the Beasties is sure where to even begin telling the time on this one, the Armillary Sphere. Plunkett goes to have another look at the information board.
“Okay! To read the time, we look at the shadow on the numbered ring created by the gnomon…”
“The what?”
“The metal bar across the middle.”
“Right. I’ll go up and see if that helps.”
“Make sure you’re reading the gnomon’s shadow, Paddy, not the shadow of one of the rings! Then we can find today’s date on the outer zodiac ring, add or subtract the number of minutes it says there, and then…”
“Plunkett, I think I finally know what time it is!”
“Really?”
“Yep! It’s LUNCHTIME!”
Well, at least Paddy’s stomach can be relied upon to keep time, even on the cloudiest of days. Bon appetit, Beasties, and we’ll see you again soon!
… But it’s not really a substitute for the real thing, is it?
“Possibly, Paddy… But how on earth are we going to get up there? Normally the humans leave their bags on the floor.”
“… I have a cunning plan!”
“Ouch! Paddy, you’re going to have to start going easy on the Full Irish breakfasts… You weigh a TON!”
“Success!”
Thanks to Pedro at 
Paddy: Yeah, and the beaches!
It’s also easy to travel around because it’s not very big.
Paddy: I think he means ACTUAL travel, Plunkett, not just photoshopping ourselves into pictures. I choose LA!
Paddy: Action films! And fast cars!
Answer: Nowhere. Because they weren’t on this world at all! As spotted by some eagle-eyed readers, the boys have magicked themselves onto Mars. Overall, they enjoyed the experience, but Paddy says the nightlife isn’t really up to much.
Paddy was up nice and early, so he spotted it first. And of course, the very next thing he did was…
“What IS it, Paddy?”
“Look at that!”
But just looking at the snow was never going to be enough for Paddy. I think it’s time to head outside and play in it, don’t you?
It looks like he already has a project in mind, too. Look at him go!
“It’s a SnowBeastie, Plunkett! What do you think?”
Much better! It’s almost as cute as you are, boys.
… And get toasty again by the stove!
“Awww, Plunkett!
“Taaa-DAAAAAAH!”
“… And wait for a bit. That’s it, straight ahead.”
… As the leaves had turned vibrant red before he’d even finished climbing up to where Paddy was sitting among the branches!
And with that, Plunkett started to clamber back down to ground level.
And now Paddy can scoop up giant pawfuls of red leaves, and give Autumn Beasties everywhere a run for their money. Nice hat, Paddy!
I still haven’t figured out why Beasties love Autumn leaves so much, but hey, at least they’re happy!
He’s just spotted it there in the distance… The Giant’s Causeway! Time to rush over for a closer peek.
Normally Paddy is left stony-faced by Plunkett’s enthusiasm for rocks, but even he has to admit that this is pretty cool.
Even more so when he hears about how they got here. Volcanoes are always awesome, even if they happened 60 million years ago! And this is just the beginning.
And yes, you are allowed to walk on the stones! The lads took full advantage of that.
“Aaaaah! It’s actually quite comfortable up here.”
… Before heading off.
“Come on Paddy, we don’t want to miss our train home!”
See you all next time!
Looks good, lads… But check out the size of that portion! Where do they put it all?!
“Oh Plunkett, can we have a go?”
“… It really does!”
But once they’d untangled themselves from these coiled ship’s ropes, Paddy demanded more shoreline sightseeing.
In certain places along the north Antrim coast, the sea has created a number of large rock pools… Perfect for a cooling dip away from the currents and waves. There’s this one, above…
“Who’s Peggy, Plunkett?”
And then, to wrap up today’s coastal sightseeing tour, let’s swing by what might be one of the most beautiful beaches anywhere – Whitepark Bay.
On a bright day, the sands on this beach gleam white in the sunshine. But even when it’s a bit overcast, it’s a lovely spot to stroll and look for fossils. As Plunkett contemplates the wilder side of the beach…
This fearsome-looking beast is the Massereene Wolfhound, and he was a handy pooch to have around back in the days when wolves still roamed free on the island of Ireland. In life, the hound saved Lady Marion Clotworthy when she was cornered by a pack of wolves on the shores of Antrim Bay. And having got a taste for heroics, he subsequently alerted the castle’s residents to an advancing party of human attackers, allowing them to mount defences and save themselves and their home.
“Aaaah, lovely. Welcome to Bushmills, Beastie friends!”
That’d be the River Bush, supposedly one of the best salmon fishing rivers in Ireland.
It’s one of over 80 listed buildings in the town, although I reckon the boys’ interests are more gastronomic than architectural. They tell me it does a very good Sunday carvery lunch, and then there’s that very tempting garden.
The 
Fortunately, they didn’t consume too many free samples, and they were able to round off their day with a nice stroll along Castlerock Beach. Just as well, because this is a big beach! You can’t tell as you approach it over the dunes…
… But it’s really huge!
Antrim’s north coast is famous for its beautiful sandy beaches, and like Downhill Beach…
… Humans can bring their cars right down onto the sand.
And that unusual little building on the headland? That’s Mussenden Temple, a private library built by the 4th Earl of Bristol in memory of his cousin. Am I the only one would would LOVE a private library with a view like this?
Night night, lads!
“Look, Plunkett! I think there might be another staycation in the pipeline. Shall we?”
“If we climb into the knitting bag, we’ll get to travel in the car, not the boot. Then we can look out the window all the way to our destination… Wherever that might be!”
“If we end up in an escape-proof prisoner of war camp, Paddy, I’m holding you responsible!”
“There! What did I tell you? Floor-to-ceiling windows, soft carpeting under our paws… And the humans will never spot us back here!”
“… Is this a castle?”
You wouldn’t mind being locked in here though. Look at these beautiful gardens!
The locals seem friendly too… And it looks like there might be a happy event in the not-too-distant future!
Huh. I always wondered where new scarecrows came from – I guess we know now!
“I’m going in for a closer look – give me a leg up, will you?”
Poor Plunkett! He didn’t think “leg up” meant “I’m going to stand on your head”.
“Lovely! Hey, Plunkett – we could fry these up in batter like they do in fancy restaurants!”
“Hmmm, better leave that for a bit. But I’m STARVING now!”
“Oh, that’s a beauty! Stand back, Plunkett – I’ll take it from here.”
“HEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAVE!”
“Nice one – a successful first harvest, Plunkett! Now, let’s get it to the kitchen.”
“Y’okay back there, Plunkett?”