Monday 18 June 2012

Ireland and Northern Ireland
We said goodbye to Wales, would have loved to see more but there are lots more countries out there!
The crossing was incredibly smooth and it was nice out on deck but a little chilly.  It took about 4 hours for the crossing to Rosslare, a small port in the south of Ireland.
Ireland turned out to be quite expensive and even the camp sites were pretty dear, but you get that! And we think this field was used for cows in the off season as you could feel their footprints in the ground.
There were also a few rules to follow!!!
And yet more rules!

But the views were superb.
We found yet more old railway cycle paths and canal paths which we love to travel along.  Some of the sights along the way are wonderful as as we are so quiet we don't scare too many things away.
Along the way there are cycle route markers, which not only point the way but give the mileage from and to.......


We finally entered Northern Ireland and the first night was spent on the banks of Loch Neagh.
From some points it looked like an ocean it was so large...
As we travelled along the coast, we were always drawn to the beautiful little harbours

and
And we have been totally amazed at how calm the sea is between Northern Ireland and England!  It 
would be good to see it in its angriest moments though!!!
In Ballycastle we went for a walk to get some fish & chips for dinner and found a Gannet on the foreshore.  A local said that it was stunned and he was calling the wildlife people, but it was just so cute - and enormous!!
We had a few days in Larne staying with and catching up with relations....Nice to be spoiled for a bit and having a house to come back to.   We took the time then to travel up to the north and visit the Giants Causeway.  That was really something else.

and you can see how lovely and warm the summer weather is !!
Not only is the scenery and wildlife great to see, the wildflowers are so prevalent and colourful.
There are just so many castles over here that we have lost count and I just can't remember the name of this one but it starts with a 'D' and it's near the causeway....
All through the country the scenery continued to amaze us and I have to include at least one shot although it really does not do justice as it was always a bit misty or cloudy when we took them.
The people in Northern Ireland were so friendly and nice and we met  one guy and his two little girls at a campsite in Antrim and then Willy met up with us again a week later at a pub in Strangford.  Dave was introduced to Guinnes here and has developed quite a liking for the brew!!! 
Couldn't resist adding a shot of Dave with Willy ( the cheeky Irishman!!)


My Uncle Charlie's local was so well supported by him that they actually have a little plaque dedicated to his spot in the bar! This pub also has some good old rules -

and there was another saying  on the wall in the rear lounge that we have really taken on for our journey.....we will leave you with this and the next report will be from Country No 6 - SCOTLAND...........

4 comments:

  1. Dunluce Castle is near Giants Causeway. Nice to meet up with you both. Have a good journey.

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  2. Thanks Ian, The name just eluded us for the moment. Just so much to remember. Was lovely to meet up with you and your family - say hello from us and keep tuned for more of our travells.

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  3. My favourite photos so far I think. I'd love to see whole cliffs similar to the photos you took at Giants Causeway, that type of rock would make for some awesome climbing! Nan is loving the blog updates, she is getting pretty excited now about all the places you're visiting. I'll post more to her this week.

    Hope you're enjoying Scotland!

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  4. Beryl - who is that Grey Nomad you're riding with? Terrific pictures and as you are on your bikes the 2012 Tour de France is kicking off. I love this time of year.
    Gold Coast weather has been terrible for the last week but absolutely beautiful today and also hopefully for the GC Marathon tomorrow - 1st of July.
    Keep the pictures coming.

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