We drove north in the stunning morning sunlight.
Did you see that? SUNLIGHT!
After several cold and dreary days, it was so very welcome. The blue sky was brilliant, and the greens even greener than before. And the sheep were even sheepier. Oh, those lovely sheep...
What an incredible day!
And then, we reached the coast and things became magical.
Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge was our first stop. We piled out of the coach and everyone began snapping photographs because it was just so very scenic, and because, way off in the distance, we could see Scotland! The walk to the bridge from the parking lot took about 20 minutes, and afforded lots of photo opportunities. Of course, the very best photos were taken right around the bridge. Everyone's hair was flying all around (and straight up in the air!) - even mine! That's real wind.
Little did we know... when we arrived at Giant's Causeway, a whole slew of us took the path to the top of the cliffs, and that's where the real wind was. I've been on a few significantly tall American mountains (Mt. Washington and Pike's Peak come to mind), but never have I ever experienced wind as strong as the wind at Giant's Causeway. It was frighteningly strong - and the kids loved it. It was really fun to play with the wind, leaning into it, jumping and allowing the wind to push you backwards through the air, or running with the wind at your back. But, for this mom, it was also terrifying to see the kids - especially one of them - participating in wind antics so very close to the edge of the cliff. I couldn't help it. When I saw Evan lose his footing in the mud just a short of the cliff's edge, I told him he needed to stop. And then, I walked away, not wanting my final memory to be of him going over the cliff.
He didn't go over the cliff, of course, and neither did anyone else.
And I had a lovely walk down to the see to view the incredible rocks of the Giant's Causeway.
I had several lovely conversations with several lovely people who were not jumping about dangerously close to the edge of the cliff. We climbed about on the rocks and gathered precious little shells from the tide pools and took lots and lots of pictures.
From Giant's Causeway, we moved on to Dunluce Castle. I know I'm getting tired because I read exactly ZERO of the information that was presented to us. Here's what I know:
Long ago, some people built a castle.
It was here.
This is what is left.
Some of the stones are from Giant's Causeway.
Nobody lives here anymore.
My brain is full.
I may or may not have gotten on the bus a full 20 minutes before we needed to. (I'm getting tired.)
It was finally time for whiskey. Many of us took a tour of the Bushmill's distillery. It was interesting, well presented, and tasty at the end. I took a photo for Harry's mum. (No photos were permitted on the tour.)
The boys and Tim, our guide. He reminded us of Patrick of Sponge Bob fame.
From there, we went to the next concert stop in Portstewart. The kids were to sing at St. Mary Star of the Sea. You know what's great about St. Mary Star of the Sea?
Yes, the view of the sea, but also... there's a pub right across the street.
The concert was lovely, of course, and the congregation hosted a dinner afterwards. The mayor was helping to serve. Her name is Maura, and she's absolutely fabulous.
We were all exhausted and we still had to drive over an hour to our sleeping places.
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