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Another gorgeous Irish day.
Let's start the day with another Irish breakfast. Once more I tried the black pudding. No, just no.
Let's hit the road out of town.
We became accustomed to dreary days and did not let them spoil the fun.
From Belfast, we headed north to the coast.
There seems to be something scenic up ahead.
Yep, the scenic coast of Ireland.
We stopped at a nice overlook.
We even spotted some blue sky.
And isn't that some sort of old ruined structure over there?
Apparently pieces of it tend occasionally to fall into the water, and there’s not much left of it. Dunluce Castle is a dramatic medieval cliffside ruin in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, built by the McQuillan family around 1500 and later held by the MacDonnell clan. Perched on a basalt rock edge, parts of it famously plunged into the sea during a 1639 storm. It was used in Game of Thrones as the visual basis for Pyke, the great stronghold and seat of House Greyjoy on the Iron Islands.
See? It says Dunluce right here in the pavement.
I think that qualifies as scenic.
There's really not much left.
We are actually very close to Scotland now. Off in the distance through the haze you can almost see people wearing kilts. Try squinting.
I like it here.
But I didn't get too close to the edge. Sure was glad there was a sign to warn me.
That's about enough from this scenic overlook.
We have arrived at the Giant’s Causeway visitor center and Mark is going to be our guide. So what's a Giant's Causeway?? Click on that link.
The causeway is just down this steep hill. Easy to walk down but it's going to be a pain to walk back.
The rock says this is a World Heritage Site.
Mark is explaining the geology of the area, how ancient volcanic activity has resulted in an expanse of hexagonal rocks.
He was an enthusiastic guide.
He's telling us to watch out because these rocks have been known to tumble without warning.
No kidding. One of these came down last week. Or maybe last year. I forget.
Let's avoid falling rocks.
I just know we'll see something unusual soon.
Over there where all the people are, maybe?
Well would you just look at all those crazy shaped rocks? Irish folklore says the Giant's Causeway was built by the giant Fionn mac Cumhaill (Finn MacCool) as a stepping-stone path to challenge a Scottish rival named Benandonner,
The tourists risk life and limb.
Once upon a time I'd have walked all over those rocks without giving it a second thought. Today I had second thoughts.
But not them.
I intend to break no bones on this trip.
I bet my friend the Vanderbilt geology professor Lily Claiborne would have a thing or two to say about this place.
As for me, I don't know what to say.
But I am impressed.
So's everybody else.
I'm liking this.
But it is kinda windy here.
Now about that walk back up the hill. For one British pound sterling you could ride a bus. Great idea.
They don't seem to mind the cool misty weather.
That visitor center is down there, somewhere.
This is the town of Bushmill. They make Irish whiskey here and they are very patriotic British citizens. Remember, we are still in Northern Ireland.
This town is populated by loyalists to the Crown. No Republicans to be found here. (Our Republicans are a different breed from their Republicans.)
Let's have lunch at Bushfoot Golf Club, Ireland's finest nine holer. It may not be big, but it's very nice.
And there's a fine view from the dining room.
Just look out there!
The beef was overcooked, and the vegetables were meh. But the view, I am telling you -- it was great.
The loyalists of Bushmill love their flags.
Nice ocean view.
Another scenic overlook. That white structure on the cliff over there is a lighthouse that’s built right on the ground because it’s already high enough without a normal lighthouse structure
See that big rock just below the cliff?
Here's a closer view. See anything going on down there?
That’s a rope bridge that sways in the wind. Our bus driver told us that long ago when Chelsea Clinton walked across that bridge followed by Secret Service agents, the agents threatened the guide if he even slightly shook the bridge. It had nothing to do with protecting Chelsea. They were terrified.
It's still windy.
Oh boy! An ice cream cone. You can tell that man really needs an ice cream cone
Our hotel for the next two nights, the Waterfoot.
It’s nice enough. The problem was that when I arrived, they couldn’t find my reservation and then they realized that earlier in the day they had decided they were overbooked for the evening and they were going to send me to the Holiday Inn. Don’t worry, they were going to give me taxi money. Well, that was a new one. But it all worked out when Brendan our guide told me to take his room and he would go to the Holiday Inn tonight. That was nice enough, as I said.
Brendan had a nice room.
I had a pleasant view out Brendan‘s window.
I didn't have the time, energy or inclination to enjoy the grounds. But as I said, nice place.
Another view.
But here’s the thing: for all the trouble this hotel put me through, they fed me the first really outstanding meal of the trip. Those are fried chunks of goat cheese with a delicious dipping sauce.
Oh yum, that’s roasted chicken with whiskey sauce, broccoli, carrot,
mashed potatoes, and a parsnip. Compared to everything else I’ve had
on this trip, this was haute cuisine.
Ooooh yummy.
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