Colorful Ireland
Today has been pretty much a blur. We traveled from Portrush to Belfast today. Not that its so awfully far, and hour and a half if you take the shortest route. Of course the whole point of this trip is to se the sights, so we took the long way. Most of our journey was along the Antrim Coast, but part of the time we were driving through countryside and forest. We drove through some honest to goodness forest today, groves of tall evergreens that looked a lot like home. Because traffic was moving so fast and there were no turnouts I couldn’t stop for pictures, but then you already know what our forests look like.
Near Giants Causeway
Karen posing in the morning sun
Climbing on The Giants Causeway
Crowded Giants Causeway
Tide pools at Giants Causeway
With the threat of traffic and closed roads on our route, we got an early start (OK, early for us anyway). We did manage to avoid the traffic and crowds, so we made good time to our first stop, The Giants Causeway. We elected to take the guided walking tour down the trail to the causeway (or stones as our guide called them). Even though we were early, there were crowds climbing all over the “stones” by the time we got down to the water. No matter, the views on the way down were spectacular.
Along the Antrim Coast
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
White Park Bay
Cliffs
Refreshments anyone?
When we got back to the visitor center we headed it for our drive along the coast. We drove along cliffs, small towns, and beaches. We made several photo stops along the way, but traffic was heavy and moving way too fast to see much while we were moving. I should also mention that the coast road is one of those narrow winding roads that I usually love. There was just so much traffic.
Oh, I haven’t mentioned (but you probably noticed from the pictures) the sun was out again today. Bright blue sky and vivid colors, wow it was nice. Along the way we made a pit stop for, you guessed it, cake and coffee.
Carrickfergus Castle
By mid afternoon we had reached Carrickfergus, a busy coastal town with a big castle. We stopped to tour the castle and take a break from the road. The main structure in the castle was closed for roof replacement, but the rest was open to explore. Castle Carrickfergus is another of the 12th century Norman castles that are common throughout Ireland.
Our home in Belfast
Queens University, Belfast
River Logan, Belfast
Stately homes in Belfast
From Carrickfergus it was only another half hour to Belfast. In fact you can see Belfast Harbor across the bay from Carrickfergus. Karen’s superb navigating skills took us through town and to our Air BnB right on the edge of downtown. We are in a beautiful old three story Victorian house on a tree lined street, across from Queens University.
We are now back from dinner and relaxing from a busy day of traveling. Frankly I’m wiped out. Almost three weeks of traveling is beginning to show. I plan to get to bed early so we can get an early start tomorrow. In the morning we’ve booked a tour of the Titanic Experience, what ever that is. I hope its better than the Guinness Experience.
Until tomorrow,
Jim
PS. Two more days to go and we head home.
This featured blog entry was written by olytrains from the blog Adventures in the Emerald Isle.
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