FOR me Creeslough was the place where my heart turned over in excitement. It was the point where I entered fun and games, laughter and love. Since the children were small I travelled to Dunfanaghy to stay with my dear friend, the late Harriet Duffin, and her family.
We climbed Mount Errigal, we photographed the young ones each standing in a vacant window of Doe Castle, we lit candles in St Michael's Church. Further along the road the pristine beach at Ards Forest Park was our picnic and bathing spot.
The families grew up and in later years it was just me and Hat enjoying a few days together in her farm house in the hills and, as ever, Creeslough was where I breathed out tension and inhaled happiness.
What a different journey today if I was to take it. Joy has been replaced with grief, the mountain has been shrouded and the church packed with mourners.
The little village is devastated, the people all around going through dreadful suffering, dignified and caring for each other.
I will travel that road again but it will be with a heavy heart as I do so, perhaps to revisit St Michael's to light a candle and say a prayer.
If sympathies are any comfort then I send them, prayers are important and love for all those hundreds of souls who continue to grieve is offered.
BAKE BREAD FOR COMFORT
One of my favourite people in the world is Breezy Willow Kelly. This is the woman who founded a peace movement, one which we can all take part in without even leaving the kitchen.
Eight years ago she hit on the idea of using bread as a symbol of friendship and comfort. She asked: "What must you break apart in order to bring a family closer together? Bread of course." And the idea caught on.
This lady from Glenties in Co Donegal has had a heart-breaking year. A few months ago the beloved famine thatched cottage she lived in was burnt to the ground.
This was always the centre of activity, people climbed the hill, walking through the open red half door to be welcomed at the table.
In an instant you were treated to breads of all makes and shapes, butter and jam, tea and coffee and if you're staying a while lunch, perhaps under Mother Elm, a healing tree just outside the cottage whitewashed walls.
To say it was a magical place is no exaggeration. The little folk were all around hiding behind a blackberry bush or peeping though the little window and there was always singing and stories.
Breezy had a difficult growing up and the only place she felt secure was in the kitchen when her mother was baking bread.
"She was a master baker and the smell of freshly baked bread was the aroma of peace, it hugged me and I felt safe," she says.
"And now I want this aroma of peace to fill the world."
She explains that an idea took root when she woke up early one beautiful July morning.
"I got up, filled the kettle and because I hadn't seen the news for days I turned on the television to catch up. I was floored by what I saw: disasters, wars, sadness and despair. Even before the kettle came to the boil my happy mood had gone and I felt fear."
NOTHING HAS CHANGED
"I was frightened about the situation both at home and round the world. It makes you feel you should be doing something about it but what can you do? It seems you can do nothing. So you do nothing."
But then, this time nine years ago, sitting over breakfast in the kitchen of her Donegal home, she realised there is something we can do.
"Breaking bread is the universal sign of peace. so I posted an idea on my Facebook and the response I got was overwhelming and led to the creation of an international day," she explains.
And this is the day. It doesn't take much time or effort to make a few scones - flour, sugar, salt, egg and milk. A few sultanas or cherries and 20 minutes later success, and a chance to share the fruits of your labours.
MY TRUSTY ADVISOR
I have this 'cloud based voice service' in the corner of the kitchen called 'Alexa' and she knows everything.
I ask her the capital of Somalia and she immediately tells me Mogadishu. What day of the week fell on October 17 1954? She tells me...
Even if I want to spell (hang on until I ask her) 'onomatopoeia', she keeps me right.
I ask her to explain the Northern Ireland protocol, she does so - in eight languages. Answer: "The Northern Ireland protocol is an agreement made upon the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.
"It protects the EU single market without imposing a hard boarder between Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Customs checks are instead made on goods passing between GB and Northern Ireland."
Alexa devices are assembled in China and there's proof the device can listen in and record our conversations in the privacy of our own homes.
THE PLACE TO BE THIS WEEK
Belmont Bowling Club will be rocking on Friday October 28 from 8.30pm. Entertainer Trevor Kelly has gathered his famous friends to hold a night to say thank you to the members of the Air Ambulance Northern Ireland who saved his wife's life when she was kicked by a horse when walking in the Mourne Mountains.
Elizabeth received a serious head injury but help was at hand when the helicopter arrived and transported her to the Royal Victoria Hospital.
That was February 2018 and Elizabeth has made a slow recovery since and, with Trevor, wants to acknowledge the charity.
Tickets are £15 and available from the club, but if you happen to call in you won't be turned away.
