OMG........IRELAND!!!

Why oh why did we ever put off going to Ireland??  Gordon and I thought Ireland would look very similar to Scotland ie, rolling green hills, sheep, pubs, etc.  Well, it does but so much more! This blog will be a picture blog.

We had a restless night last night and finally just got out of bed at 5 a.m.  No point laying there any longer and we needed to leave the house by 7 anyway.  We actually left about 6:40 and Gordon was in a mood!  When he hasn't had enough rest.....watch out!  Anyway, we packed everything but the "kitchen sink" cause it's a road trip and we can and headed out on a beautiful early morning drive (only almost killed twice!) and arrived at Cairnryan for the ferry a little early.  But that was okay.  We checked in, got first place in line and went in to the terminal for a stretch of the legs.  Here's the terminal and port and our ship coming in!

 Because we had purchased "Club Class" we were first on the Ferry and got the VERY FIRST OFF spot on the boat with everyone else behind us.  Spending a few extra dollars paid off!

Entering the Ferry

Looking back toward Scotland

and west toward Ireland.

This boat was more like a cruise ship with special launches just in case.  It had a bar, restaurant and a casino!  Plus a kids play area and several other areas where passengers could hang out. We hung out in the "Club" lounge where we could watch TV, have wine if we wanted and just relax on small sofas.  Very very comfortable and I highly recommend it!

See all these cars and trucks?  They are ALL behind us!

The first round-about we came across had a GIANT crown in the center of it!

So we hit the A2, the coast road and began our journey up toward Torr Head.  What a magnificent drive.  A two lane road but it moved along well. 

Small villages dot the East coastline of Ireland.

And spectacular scenic coastline that reminded Gordon and I of Hawaii!

Our first adventure took us to Cairncastle.  We stopped at this church called St. Patrick's Church built in the 14th Century.  A Spanish oak is planted on a grave of a sailor who lost his life during the Spanish Armada so the grave and tree date from 1588!

Pristine Church with....

....lovely views.

The 500+ year old tree here and below.

This is a hedge of fuscia!

We also stopped to check out this beautiful forest in Glencairn.

 So we went to see the walled garden at Glencairn Castle.  The castle is privately owned and is lived in so it is not available to tour but  the gardens!  Wow!  I think you'll see just how beautiful they are.

The Fall vegetable garden sits in front of the greenhouses which are directly behind the stone wall there.  The greenhouses are home to summer veggies, ie, tomatoes, peppers, squash, etc.  We were not allowed in the greenhouses but could peek through at the many many beautiful vegetables still growing.

This is a dahlia and lily garden with some hostas and a huge Magnolia thrown in!

View back toward the entry and tea room.

Pumpkins in the Fall garden.

One of the many cutting gardens.

Check out this fantastic border here and the pics below.  Unbelievable!

Lynda....I need these Salvia's!

This is the back wall!

Looking up toward the water feature.

Another cutting garden.

I've conquered "The Mound", a feature in the garden where you can climb up to sample the views.  And what views.

Here's another Fall garden with pear trees.  One side of the garden had summer fruit bearing trees, the other Fall fruit bearing trees.

Yet another border!

The green houses.

Anyway, we left Glencairn Castle and headed further up the east coast passing huge chalk mountains a bit reminiscent of Dover and the White Cliffs.

 We stopped in Cushendall at a bar/restaurant recommended by our B&B host, Harry's Bar and Grill and had really delicious baked sea trout for me and fresh poached salmon for Gordon.  It was yummy.

Hills that look like the uplands in Maui.

Fabulous vistas that go on forever!

The little beach at Torr Head.

Two Torr Heads!!!

Gordon and I switched off the driving after lunch and I got to drive the fun bit from the Torr Head scenic route turn off which was a super teeny-tiny narrow road that goes on for about 15 miles.  It was beautiful but a bit hairy!

Me in the pint-sized car. We put her through her paces today!

The Whitepark Bay Beach just below our B&B.

 So we made it to the Whitepark House B&B and checked into our lovely room.  Spent an hour or so sipping tea with Bob, the owner, and three of his guests from Birmingham, England.  Bob is full up tonight but Gordon and I think we have the best room with views of the sea.

That giant tub felt particularly good tonight!

Gordon checking in on his IPad.

 

 

 

We've had quite enough for one day and look forward to tomorrow's adventures.  A walk across a very high rope bridge, a tour of the Giant's Causeway, a walk down to Whitepark Bay Beach and an evening adventure into the Dark Hedges!  So far   
                                                     L O V I N G   I R E L A N D !