Although not one to complain about weather, when we woke this morning to glorious sunshine my mood lifted and I began to think of possibilities for the day.
After we sorted ourselves for a trip back to Dublin, we started our day headed for Portrush. Portrush is known as the quintessential, seaside, genteel, resort town. We actually stopped several times on our way there because we just couldn't pass some of the sights we were seeing! A friend had commented on my blog yesterday when I noted the difference south to north. She spent a lot of time in Northern Ireland when her husband worked there. She is also from Newfoundland and noticed a "whole different world" between them. She also told me that "the scenery in Northern Ireland would take my breath away" and man was she right about that!
The Antrim Coast is exquisite! Our first stop was for a sign that pointed to Dunluce Castle. Dating back to the 15th Century, these are possibly the most complete ruins we have seen, and the position at the cliffs edge made for photographic rapture for David. Hundreds of years before that there were primitive fortifications where locals hid from Viking raids. There have been folks appreciating these views for a long time! Today was our turn.
Dunluce Castle
The views to the sea from the Castle
Leaving the castle, we continued for a brief time before being deitracted again by yet another spectacular view. Magheracross offers fabulous views back at the castle and onward you can see the Chalk Cliffs near Portrush. Not near the hiking committment the castle demanded, but the views were just as great.
The Chalk Cliffs near Portrush
Looking back at the castle. Check out the colours in the sea!
Next stop was Whiterocks Costal Park. We walked on the mostly deserted beach and enjoyed the views up and down the coast from another perspective.
The Chalk Cliffs
Beautiful beach, with some chalk rocks along the base of the cliffs and dunes.
Then on to Portrush to sit at the pier, after looking around town, to watch giant gulls dive for fish. It was fascinating to watch them soar overhead, watching for a tasty bite. They would then divebomb into the ocean and we could see the trail down through the water that went surprisingly deep. After a few seconds they would pop-up, mostly in the same place they went down and enjoy their catch! Very entertaining!
Looks very much like a resort town
Beautiful views from the sea wall
Across to the town of Portrush
It was then time to double back and head for the calling card of the Antrim Coast, the Giant's Causeway! It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a geological wonder of 40,000 basalt stone columns formed from volcanic eruptions 60 million years ago. That's the science. The legend and folklore involves giants!! Over and above all of that, we chose to hike the causeway giving us an intimate way to experience the mind boggling wonder of the phenomenal coast. At the end of the causeway we had a great chat with the man from the heritage foundation whose job it seems, is to stop tourists from falling into the sea. He loves his solitary job with the magnificent views but with the high wind he did admit there was no point in combing his hair in the morning. In his line of work, every day is a bad hair day!!
Cows even cgazing here!
Starting to see the stones as we hike down.
Natural walkways that are actually very easy to navigate, as long as it's not raining!!
Many of the rocks are hexagonal, but some are round. The shapes are unbelievable.
Bad hair day indeed!
In some places you can walk across relatively level secions.
Where it drifts into the sea
Sometimes very different colours
Stacked like blocks 30 feet high!
On our way back to Dublin, because it was along the way, we stopped at the Dark Hedges. We are not Game of Thrones fans but some of the show was shot here along a road that hadn't really been noticed by anyone until the show! Now people come from far and wide to see the road. While I understand why it might have been noticed as a set, to be honest it wasn't the best example of trees growing in to meet one another and form a road tunnel that we have seen since we arrived. I have been commenting on them since I got here but because we are always driving, I don't get pictures. Today I stopped on the road to take a picture for comparison!
Where Game of Thrones was shot. Does't look near so ominous on a sunny day!
Just a random road!
Driving through Belfast the beautiful sky today reflected well in the glass buildings.
Now safely back in Dublin for a few last days before heading back home!
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