Carrik-a-rede Rope Bridge

Conclusion

It was a great trip, but hectic. Despite what some had said in the beginning, all places we visited were excellent. The weather probably could have been better, but you can't have everything. Visiting friends was my favorite part. Barb is already planning the next visit.

Note: Somewhere along the way, someone had a little fun at my expense. I'm not sure where or when it was, but I now know that a "slash" isn't scouse for a wash-up.

In case anyone is interested in seeing the photos, they're at
http://picasaweb.google.com/Thomas.BrownSR/England_Ireland2010#

Bushmills

Took about 2 hours to arrive at Lynda's. We settled in a bit and then headed off towards the dreaded Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. Along the way we stopped at the smallest church in Ireland, St Gobbans. From some of the largest cathedrals in the UK to the smallest now...but it didn't rain this time. Maybe the curse has lifted. Had a brief stop in Port Ballentoy for a look around. Got to the rope bridge car park, then to the ticket booth...closer and closer to Barb facing her fear. She was determined to do it, so we carried on. Very scenic 20 minute walk along the cliffs and there it was...da da da dah...the bridge! The attendant asked us to wait until the "idiots" that were bouncing on the bridge were across. He had just told them to stop it. I told him that if they were bouncing on it when my wife was on it, she would need emergency cardiac care. We made it across and I admit it was a little un-nerving. When it starts to bounce and sway just from walking on it, you tend to hold on a little tighter. Ventured up the island a bit, took a few pictures, and then headed back. Barb was smiling on the way back across, so I guess she was glad she did it. Back to Bushmills. Lynda, Barb and I had dinner that night at the Bayview. It's a great place and Trevor, the owner, is a nice guy as well. One of the Milk Cup football teams was there, from Qatar I think. At least that was what their kits said. The ladies finished their second bottle of Prosecco and I finished the night with a nightcap of Jameson. The next morning we were in the Copper Kettle for breakfast, then a walk along the shoreline at Port Ballintrae. Unfortunately, it was time to say good bye, head back to Belfast and catch our plane to London. We spent the night in London and caught a flight home in the morning.

Up in the morning to an full Irish brekkie. Fresh eggs from the chickens out back, black pudding, white pudding and the lot. The weather was drizzly but not too bad. It was a good thing we had maps and Barb was navigating. We went through so many towns and villages ( most names we couldn't pronounce), that we certainly would have been lost for days. Drove through Glengesh Pass on a road that was just wide enough for 1 1/2 cars. Part of the way, there was a tour bus coming the other way! He had to pull over into the bushes so me and the car behind me could squeeze by and I mean squeeze! I can't believe that there was a big-ass tour bus on that narrow, twisty, hilly road. I would have been petrified if I were a passenger on it. We drove part of N56 and that was the twistiest road I have ever been on. At one point we were actually laughing because it was left, right, left, right for quite a ways with no straight bits at all. Stopped at a small village called Glencolmcille and learned a bit about Irish heritage in the area. The Slieve League cliffs were amazing. We hoped to see them by boat, but the next boat was in an hour and it was a 2 hour trip, so we opted to drive to the top and see them that way. We didn't have that much time. Stopped in Ardara so Barb could check out some Donegal tweed and knit. Headed back to Bunbeg and got another chance to drive the twisty N56. Across the road again to Sean Ogs. This time we ate in the restaurant and popped over to the bar part afterward. We were told earlier that it was Cocktail party night and we should stick around for awhile. Just after 9, the barmen changed into Hawiian shirts and were handing out leis. There was a special drink menu as well. It's half nine now and the place is hoppin. The later it gets the more crowed it gets. If this is how it is every night, this guy is making a small fortune. Called it a night at half 11 and people were still piling in. Off to Bushmills tomorrow.

Managed not to cause any mayhem during our drive to Donegal County, I didn't even get flipped off. I must just be a great driver or it's the Irish courtesy, who knows. Stopped in to Glenveigh National Park and toured the castle. It's a 16,000 acre park that sits in the Derryveigh mountains. The castle sits on the edge of a lake - Lough Veigh it's called. Pretty scenery there. Barb had to put her feet in the water just to prove it was cold. Off again and got to the Teac Cambell B&B around 5ish, checked in, had a quick slash and across the road to Sean Ogs Tavern (Young Sean's in Irish) for some refreshments. Cool place. Most everyone in these parts speak 3 languages - English, Irish and some sort of combination of both. We met a guy at the bar called Michael who had been to Florida before. Interesting enough, when he spoke to us, we could understand him. When he spoke to anyone else, his accent was so thick, we had no idea what he was saying. He was a waiter there on a day off and recommended the fish and chips. That's what we had and it measured up to what he said it would. Now gettin on to 8:00 and the place was filling up. It happened that the Celtics and SP Barda were playing footie and this place was the only one who had it on. Of all the 2 bars and restaurants in town - the only one. The Celtics were crap and we left at halftime. More driving to do tomorrow. This was probably the most comfortable of all beds so far. Out like a light.

Belfast Bound

4 am - up and at em, the cab was waiting downstairs. Took the train to the airport and waited for our flight. Bacon, egg and sausage sarnie (a staple of our diet now) for breakfast. We were getting a bit nervous at this point because it's now 15 minutes before we were supposed to leave and they hadn't even announced a gate yet. We walked over to the customer service booth and stood in queue. Surprise... the only agent walked away with the guy in front of us. While trying to figure out what to do next, the gate popped up on the board. Maybe the customer service lady went out to get the plane and brought it to the gate...I don't know. Short flight and we're in Belfast. Checked in to Benedicts of Belfast early. They were very accommodating and got our room ready. I would recommend that hotel to anyone wanting to stay in Belfast. We headed to city center and bought 2 tickets on the double-decker bus tour. Belfast is a very interesting city. Our tour guide pointed out all the interesting sites where the "troubles" took place...the peace wall. the murals, the gun fights and the bombing locations. Things are a bit calmer now-a-days, but you can tell it's certainly not forgotten. Tour complete, we headed for the Crown Bar, one of the oldest in Belfast and across the street from the Europa, the most bombed building. Had a pint there and headed back towards the hotel. Laverys was across the street, so we stopped in for a late lunch and a pint( here we go again). Back to the hotel for a shower and change to meet Lisa and Jeff for dinner. Took the bus to Hillsborough and found the Plough. Jeff and Lisa were working the next day, so we were planning on an early night and the 10:00 bus - the last one back. Yeah, right! After a great dinner and craic ,we took a bit of time to walk around and see one of the old Tissington residences and then the cabs showed up. Lisa persuaded our cabbie to take us around to the other residence before leaving for Belfast. Somewhere around half 12 we made it back to the hotel only to find crowds of young people all dolled up waiting to get into the "club" part of our hotel. 12:30 am on a Tuesday and Belfast was hopping. Too tired to go on, we decided to call it a night. We were going since 4 am after all. Up the next morning, had a full Irish brekkie, checked out and headed for the airport and our rental car. Had a 3 or so hour drive ahead, all the while trying not to kill anyone while driving on the other side of the road.

Liverpool Day 2

Bit of a late start, but we needed the rest. Across the street we grabbed a couple of egg, sausage and bacon sarnies to kick off the day. The weather was a bit drizzly, but not too bad, so off we went. Walked down to Albert Dock again to check out the Yellow Duck Marine tours. We just missed the one that left and couldn't take the next because we wouldn't be back in time for the Fab Four cab. What to do? I wanted to see the Liverpool Cathedral, so we headed in that direction. The weather was getting a bit worse and I'm sure we took the long way around. Something about us and churches; we were mighty damp when we finally got there. It was well worth the walk. The architecture was amazing. The largest in all of the UK, it took 74 years to complete. Getting on towards 1:00, it was time to meet our cab back at the hotel. By the time we got there it was 1:00 and we were drenched. The doorman said I should have borrowed a brolly from the lobby. I explained that we had one in the room, but for some reason we preferred to get soaked instead. The cab was waiting but agreed to let us pop upstairs for some dry clothes. This time we took the jackets and the brolly...we needed them. Most of the tour was rainy, but the sun did come out at the end. Great tour. We saw and learned some pretty interesting facts about the Fab Four, got to see their places of birth and inspirations for their songs. Our cabbie had a lot of information stuffed in his head...kind of a walking encyclopedia of the Beatles. After the tour, back to Albert Dock for a pint at the original Blue Bar. On the way back to the hotel, a pint in the Cavern Club was a must. The singer was a John Lennon cover, he looked the part as well. Time to find something to eat...after wandering around Liverpool, we found that after 8:30 none of the pubs served food, but luckily the pub across from the hotel was. Guess we should have tried there first...too easy. 2 fish and chips with mushy peas and 2 pints for 9.95! Bargain. Off to the hotel and bed. Up at 4 am the next morning for the Ireland leg of the journey.