We headed out on Sat. to see the nine glens along the coastal highway. We didn't plan to go as far as the Giant's Causeway and the Bridge but all of a sudden we were there. Must have been Clare's awesome driving that got us there so fast!
If you visit Northern Ireland, and most tourists don't, this northern area along the coast is a must-do on your list!! Just getting there along the coastal road is a treat.
Bill was the only brave one to actually cross the swinging rope bridge called Carrick-a-Rede. It goes between the mainland and the rocky island of Carrick-a-Rede. Mom made it to the area before the steps took you to the actual bridge. The walk is about a mile from the parking lot. As you can see, Clare went as far as the sign and not one step further! I had a nice chat with the man who was working the area while I waited for Bill.
The bridge came about years ago when this area was used to fish salmon. That stopped in 2000 and has been made completely safe now with walkways and fencing once you get to the island. The waves are amazing as are the cliffs.
The Giants Causeway is a little easier to get to. A bus takes you (for 1 euro each way) down to the site. Again, we were amazed at how this all came to be 60 million yrs. ago. There are about 37,000 columns out there, mostly hexagons, but some 4,5,7 or 8 sided.
From the causeway we headed to Bushmills, the village that is home to the world's oldest LEGAL distillery excited to taste their product! Ahhh.....4 pm....and NO MORE TOURS FOR THE DAY. Needless to say, we won't be buying their products. Got a nice picture of the building though!!
On our back back home we stopped at Dunluce castle, the most photographed castle in Ireland. You can see why from the picture.
While you travel around Ireland, the words that keep popping up along the way is "wow, another beautiful sight, thought we had seen it all. And, the word "Bally"
before the name of a village or town....Ballymoney, Ballyclare, Ballymena, Ballyhaunis, Ballygar and so on....Bally means "hill", which makes sense since everything is just about on hills.
Instant coffee, black or white? Americano coffee that is so black you grow hair! Porridge, gross! Vegetable soup, which is purified so you could put it into a baby bottle and bangers and mash with mushy peas is on every menu, besides a few other delights! The Irish stew is good though and the bakery goods are to die for! Yes, girls, the best of the best rolls, doughnuts and sweet things you could ever want and in a real live bakery. The display cases went on and on. I wanted to buy one of everything, so did mom. Our afternoon stop usually was for a latte and dessert! Enjoy the pictures.
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