Our last breakfast. Our Irish friends have many cups of tea and large quantities of porridge in a daily ritual that takes several hours.
There was only one thing on the agenda today. Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and Reserve, only a kilometre from our hostel in Ballintoy. For over 350 years fishermen have strung a rope bridge here to access the best places to catch the migrating salmon. It now gives access to tourists to magnificent views and a chance to see nesting kitty wakes and wildflowers.
A winding track down to Carrick Island with views of the white limestone cliffs with kitty wakes darting in and out of their nests.
Fun on the rope bridge on a windy day
We all then walked to the main road, planning to catch buses but with no idea of timetables. As we reached the crossroads a bus pulled up on its way to Ballycastle. So we gave our wonderful hosts a rushed goodbye hug and we were on our way to Belfast. We have appreciated their hospitality so much and the range of experiences they have provided. What a magical place Ireland is! (even Northern Ireland, as it turns out!)
Snapshots of some of the communities as we passed through. We loved this sheep, rubbing its back and daring to be different
First impressions of Belfast
Salad lunch at Bullit, a small courtyard pub
We are staying at the Ramada Inn in central Belfast close to all we plan to do. A comfortable room with en-suite. A contrast to the shared hostel accommodation - a feature of this trip so far with my noisy and inept efforts to climb down from a top bunk for my nightly loo visits. The joys of communal living.
M&M
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