Worth seeing, but not worth going to see

Is what the great English literary Dr Johnstone said about the giants causeway in Co Antrim.

In a way I feel for him, there is very little there now and I would imagine that in the 18^th century 6 hours on a carriage from Belfast to see a few rocks may have been just a little difficult to bear. They hadn’t even had the decency to have invented the digital camera so Dr Johnson could never have had his picture taken on the rocks as a keepsake.

Now however with the invention of the motor car, a fairly decent road system ( you will see why I say fairly decent) and the ability to have your own little snapshot of the time we were in Antrim, I say GO!

Rebecca and I went yesterday, we flew in early morning, had a day in County Antrim and flew out late at night. The Coast around Antrim is stunning and it made me realise just why the Irish love their country so much.

I can never understand why you have to be at an airport 90 minutes before a 30 minute flight. It meant that we had to get up at

4am for a 7.10 flight and had to be back at the airport for 7.30 for a 9.10 flight (delayed).

No matter,we got sun at 23 degrees and a cloudless sky, I am told that is rare, but so is the two of us having a day away so maybe it was kismet.

We hired a car from Budget at the airport, a Honda Jazz that didn’t seem to use any petrol at all, no matter how far we drove it.. As it was last day of May yesterday I was a little surprised when I got home and looked at one of the pictures to see that the car was taxed to Feb 08. Good job the local police didn’t pull me in.

I have sent budget the picture and explained that as I paid an extra £18 for zero liability at the airport, and that as with no tax the car isn’t insured I would like my £18 back. No word so far but I will let you know how long budget try to ignore me.

Other than that the Honda Jazz has no power at all, but as it uses no petrol I suppose you can’t complain.

 We went from the airport to the Bally Robin country house (turn right as you leave Belfast International go ½ mile it is on the right) for a huge day filling breakfast. After that we were ready so we headed straight up to Portrush. When we reached there we were a little disappointed, it seemed like a little harbour as you would see anywhere else. But then we went to the other end of town and saw the huge clear yellow beach, the sea and the islands. That was enough to have us stop and be breathless for a few moments.

We went from there to Bushmills where I purchased a bottle of 1608 which is undoubtedly one of the finest mid priced whiskeys I have ever tasted. If you have never had any find some, try it. Don’t forget Irish Whiskey with an ‘e’ Scotch whisky without.

From Bushmills to the giants causeway where many people were taking advantage of the invention of the digital camera. We also took advantage of our National trust membership which meant we could ride for free on the causeway bus. (Thank you…you know who you are)

Rebecca got snap happy and took some great pictures. I just took my usual rubbish ones.

From there we followed the coast round to a gorgeous little harbour called Ballintoy. It was like someone had picked it up out of a fairy story and just dropped it on the coast of Ireland.

The water was so clear we could see the fish swimming.

We carried on to a place called Tor Head which used to be a lifeboat station and ship spotting point for Lloyds registry. You can climb onto the roof and see across the Mull of Kintyre to the coast of Scotland.

It is easy to forget just how close Northern Ireland and the West coast of Scotland are, but on a clear day you are reminded.

I also noticed that another Northumbrian our friend Tim had been up Tor Head before us.

On to the waterfalls at Glenariff then we met up with some friends for as Chinese at a great restaurant called the Bambou.

After flying back we picked up youngest daughter from her waitress job and then I got followed home by the police who pulled me in because they thought I was driving gingerly.

I had been up since 4am and it was now 11pm, but how does that make me drive like a Ginger person, and why is it illegal for them to drive?

.

Comments

[just a girl]

You gotta watch out for the ginger-dome's...

So pretty and lovely and I want to go again. Ireland in the sun is stunning. It's not too bad in the rain either.

[Jenn]

Looks like a wonderful trip, am a little confused tho...... surely Ireland is near Scotlands West Coast, not East........ I know I suck at Geography but I think I got that much to sink in lol

[Ian]

Your'e right Jen, I meant to say to the east is the coast of scotland.
I was distracted by Tims vandalism

[Jason]

Looks like a great trip - I've never been to Ireland and would really like to go some time. So pleased you both had such good weather for it too!

[Tim the Enchanter]

I deny writing my name on that wall. However, I'll admit that my ancestors were from NI... Islandmagee to be precise.

[Tim the Enchanter]

When I go, I'm going to turn right out of BELFAST International before going to the Ballyrobin!

[Ian]

I said Belfast diddle I!

[Liz Curtis]

Nice editing, Ian.
Sounds great. I've been to southern Ireland, maybe I need to now try the north.

[Rebecca]

You will all be pleased to know that Ian has been successful in getting a refund from the hire company and they were very concerned about the tax disc being out of date, so no fuel charges and no excess, the day got better and its passed now.

[Cormac McCloskey]

I was writing up my diary and needed to know who it was who said of the Giant's Causeway that it was worth seeing but not worth going to see. Enjoyed your article. You did a lot in a day. You can find me at http://anirishvoice.spaces.live.com