Saturday, 1 May, Ballycastle

Off on our trip to the Giant’s Causeway at just after 10 o’clock. Another mad bus driver that thought he was in a race using only one hand on the steering wheel. Anyway we arrived safely to find coach loads of tourists already there. We hadn’t realised, but we were told later, that it is a holiday weekend in the Republic of Ireland, Monday 3 June being a national holiday, so there were lots of visitors from south of the border in addition to the usual crowds.

We checked in at the visitor centre, had refreshments to decide a plan of action and collected our audio guides. We then walked down to the Causeway and further on along the marked trails. It was really crowded but we enjoyed the walk and the explanations about what we seeing. We both thought Staffa was as good if not better if one wanted to see basalt columns because the number of visitors is limited by its remoteness.

Anne relaxing on top of the Giant’s boot.

As the visibility was great it was possible to see Islay and the Mull of Kintyre in the distance and this brings home the fact that Northern Ireland and Scotland are really close.

Back at the visitor centre we handed back our audio guides, browsed the gift shop and had lunch. Absolute model National Trust members!!!! Then we made a quick detour to see the narrow gauge railway between the Causeway and Bushmills. Although it follows an existing tramway route it is a modern incarnation with new diesel powered rolling stock, so not that interesting. Then it was back on the bus and time to do a little shopping. The weather is improving so we were even able to sit in the cockpit in shorts for a little time.

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