North Coast with Mom

We took my mom to see one of Ireland's great wonders the Giant's Causeway.  When we went as a family in the summer all the tour buses were running and it was a lot easier to get around.  But thanks to a generous husband we made it work.  He suggested using a cab if we needed to. =)

the sun just starting to peek out

We got up early, dark out still early and walked to Central train station where we caught the train to Coleraine.  The best part about that early in the morning is that we got a seat on the train.  Coleraine is a main stop for the NI Rail but all we have ever seen is the train station and the road out to Portrush.  We waited for about 45 minute until our bus arrived then it was off to ????   We were not sure what came first Dunluce Castle or the Causeway.  It was decided what ever came first we would go there.  That was until we discovered that the bus does not pass by the castle in the fall it lets you walk 2 miles up the road to it.  Maybe starting with the Causeway was a better idea.

through the bus window with a nice glare

the coast near Bushmills and the Giant's Causeway

Town of Bushmills where they brew whiskey

the beautiful Causeway Hotel

 We had beautiful weather in the morning for our visit to the Causeway.  It is such an amazing thing to visit.  We took tons of pictures and videos.  It was nice to sit on the rock and eat our lunch while watching the waves break across the rare six sided stones.  As nice as the sun felt it was still very cold with the wind whipping around us.  We spent as long as we dared there was still the castle and the rope bridge to visit.

the waves breaking on the cliffs

first peek at the Causeway as you round the corner of the road

I caught it.

the Giant's Chair

pool of water

waves

lunch on the Causeway Sarah, Samuel and Sabrina

kids resting on a rock

the kids and I with Mom on the small causeway.

After a final goodbye to the Causeway we when to catch the bus to Carrick a Rede rope bridge.  I will never take my truck for granted again.  Waiting for buses and trains is a slow way to sight see.  But it is affordable.

"Carrick-a-Rede boasts an exhilarating rope bridge experience. Traditionally fishermen erected the bridge to Carrick-a-Rede island over a 23m-deep and 20m-wide chasm to check their salmon nets. Today visitors are drawn here simply to take the rope bridge challenge!
The rope bridge originally consisted of a single rope hand rail which has been replaced by a two hand railed bridge by the National Trust.
Once you reach Carrick Island, the reward is seeing the diverse birdlife and an uninterrupted view across to Rathlin Island and Scotland. There is only one way off the island - back across the swinging bridge! Don't look down!
The area is exceptional in is natural beauty, to the left as you come down the steep hill is Larrybane headland which once stretched out towards Sheep Island and had a promontory fort on the top dating to 800AD, underneath large caves once served as home to boat builders and a safe resting place from winter storms. Despite having been quarried in the 1950's this quarry is still worth a visit for its exceptional views."  from their web site.

collection of houses and a church near the rope bridge

long fields

Carrick Island

Larrybane Limestone Quarry

steps we had to go down and up

ladder down to the rope bridge, Sarah

view through the rope bridge, the water is so clear.

caves on the mainland

rope bridge from a distance

the steep winding trail we took

lime kiln, heading back up to the bus

Samuel posing while waiting for the bus

Dunseverick Castle

We only got to view this castle from the bus window but here is a bit of history from its web site.

"Saint Patrick is recorded as having visited Dunseverick castle in the 5th century AD, where he baptized Olcán, a local man who later became a Bishop of Ireland.^[2] The original stone fort that occupied the position was attacked by Viking raiders in 870 AD.
In the later part of the 6th century AD, this was the seat of Fergus Mor MacErc (Fergus the Great). Fergus was King of Dalriada and brother of the High King of Ireland, Murtagh MacErc. It is the AD 500 departure point from Ireland of the Lia Fail or coronation stone. Murtagh loaned it to Fergus for the latter's coronation in western Scotland part of which Fergus had settled as his sea-kingdom expanded.
The O'Cahan family held it from circa 1000 AD to circa 1320 AD, then regained it in the mid 16th century. Last one to have the castle was Giolla Dubh Ó Catháin, who left it in 1657 to settle in the Craig/Lisbellanagroagh area. Post 1660 they use the anglicized name McCain/O'Kane.
The castle was captured and destroyed by General Robert Munro in 1642 and his Cromwellian troops in the 1650s, and today only the ruins of the gate lodge remain. A small residential tower survived until 1978 when it eventually surrendered to the sea below.
It was a 'key' ancient site in Ireland. One of the royal roads from Tara, seat of the Kings of Ireland ended at Dunseverick castle."

Dunseverick Castle

We got off the bus in Bushmills and had a crazy time trying to call a cab.  Phone books are very rare in the areas we have visited so trying to find the number for a cab company took three stores and at least five numbers.  It was well worth the effort we once again were greeted with that amazing Irish hospitality.  The company we called did not have a vehicle that would seat us all so they would need to send two cars to get us to the castle.  With out our asking he instead phoned a friend that had a van taxi and sent him over to take us to the castle.  We were reassured on our return trip one or the other of them would be available to get us back to town an the bus stop.  On the return trip though we decided to have them drive us to the train station in Portrush and by pass the waiting for a bus.  Our driver took us to the station and advised us we were almost an hour early for the next train she advised we warm up in a little cafe up the street that had good food.  We enjoyed a scone and hot chocolate to warm up while waiting for our train.

Dunluce Castle is so neat to visit.  Even in ruins it has enough of the walls still standing to feel the greatness of it.  As far as castles go it feels like on right out of a book set on an impregnable cliff peninsula.  It would have been a cold place to live.

grandma and the girls looking through the window at the ruins

looking towards the court yard

castle in the setting sun

watch tower

draw bridge with watch tower in the background

Dunluce Castle 1900

The rain arrived as we were waiting for the train but it was pretty.

sun's rays over the rain clouds

bright colors

small rainbow

Queens Bridge back in Belfast we arrived home in the dark.

Thinking of Home

As our count down continues towards the day we fly home.  We are amazed at the weather fronts amassing to greet us.  Storms hitting the east coast and earth quakes and tsunami on the west coast with heavy snow fall warnings thrown in for good measure.  Well it give us a reminder to pray for safety on our continent when we think of home.

Steve and I have been watching the US presidential debates on the internet.  Sometimes it is easier to follow their campaigns over the Canadian ones because there are only two candidates and their sideshow opps VP to follow.  I am finding it very interesting this time because two big issues seem to be "When will you get our troops out of Afghanistan?" and "Why did you not crush Libya during the Embassy attack?" - Obama and for Romney - "Would you have sent in an attack?"  What a spot to be put on do you want our soldier home safe and sound or do you want them out there protecting our citizens around the world?  And how to answer both to the satisfaction of votes in only one hours viewing time.

You know you are ready to head home when you read more hometown news than vacation news. =)

Ulster Folk Museum - third time

We took my mom to the Ulster folk Museum.  It is a favorite for me and the kids.  Even after going three times they would go again.  At this rate we should have bought a membership.  With school in the museum is pretty deserted through the week.  Only us and some older people.  It does make it easier to see the exhibits.

On this visit we were able so see the weaving room in one of the houses. During past visits it had been closed and locked.  An older gentleman was demonstrating the art of weaving linen to a lady who wanted to record the sound of the loom for her zen garden.  It was amazing to see the mechanics of the loom.  Punch cards are used to transfer a pattern to the cloth being woven.  It hole in the cards correspond with a thread in the weave that lifts and brings the pattern to the front.  A few days later in Lisburn we would see how they design these punch cards.  I was able to get a video of the weaver.  You can decide if the click clack of the shuttle is peaceful. =)

Carrick a Rede rope bridge.  This is an old picture that was in one of the houses.  It is a very dramatic portrait of the bridge we would visit on the morrow.

Our favorite part of the museum is the rural area, because of the animals.  When we got to the one house that has had the three horses in the past and they were not there the kids were so disappointed.  They tried to enjoy showing grandma through the nice farm house but they were really let down.  Once we were done in the house we followed the road past the house and down a hill.  Where to our great joy was a meadow with the horses.  They quickly came over to the fence for some hugs and pets.

Sabrina and Samuel

Sabrina

Sarah

Samuel getting his pants eaten again.  He must get lots of yummy stuff on his pants.

Down the road a way we saw a baby donkey.

We saw sheep and Sarah fed the chickens

The house guide shared some of his cereal with Sarah so she could feed the chickens.

black cat enjoying the sun

All the animals at the museum are native to Ireland.  They try to keep things as authentic as possible.

Our last stop on the way out was the candy shop.  It is always fun to buy sweets in the old store.  All their candy is made by Aunt Sandra's shop which the kids and I have visited in the past.

Mount Stewart

Mount Stewart is an amazing property held by the National Trust.

"Mount Stewart is one of the most inspiring and unusual gardens in the National Trust's ownership.
The garden reflects a rich tapestry of design and great planting artistry that was the hallmark of Edith, Lady Londonderry. The mild climate of Strangford Lough allows astonishing levels of planting experimentation. The formal areas exude a strong Mediterranean feel and resemble an Italian villa landscape; the wooded areas support a range of plants from all corners of the world, ensuring something to see whatever the season.
Engaging tours of the opulent house reveal its fascinating heritage and historic world-famous artefacts and artwork." from their web site.

We took my mom to this gardens that the kids and I had yet to visit.  It had been recommended to us and was everything we had been told.  To get there we had to catch an Ulsterbus from Belfast to Newtownards, not pronounced anything like it looks, we had to switch to a new bus for the short ride to the gates for Mount Stewart on the Strangford Lough.

Our fist stop was right through the gates at the visitor center.  They directed our view through a telescope to the seals playing on an island in the Lough, it is tidal.  The distance was to great to get them with a camera but it was cool to know they were out there.

island where the seals were playing

Samuel was excited about this guy they share the same name

Next we came to the coach house where the Marquise of Londonderry's coach is on loan for a while.

The gardens of this house are every gardeners dream.  They host a variety of tress and shrubs from many parts of the world.  And it has a lake with swans in it, perfect.

The house tour was very interesting.  The kids even found it easy to listen as we went along.  The family gave the gardens over to the National Trust first then years later part of the house.  Several rooms are still in the possession of the family and can be used for their visits.  As you may guess it is a huge house.

front of Mount Stewart

back of Mount Stewart

dining room set with pink diner ware

library

fancy bed

sitting room

main entry

After the house tour we visited the formal gardens.  They are close to the house and are very manicured.

garden area that is outside of the drawing room window

a harp is shaped into the hedge

Spanish garden

Like all good things it was too soon time to head for home.  The gates would be closing and supper time was fast approaching.

waiting at the bus stop

this is the view we had on our walk home from the bus station

rainbow reflecting on the River Lagan