Driving on the Left

For all of you that were anxiously checking the blog to see if mom and I had survived our adventure in Northern Ireland, I apologize for not writing when we returned. But frankly, I was wiped out! The answer then is yes, we survived and had a jolly time.

We were greeted in Belfast by sunny skies and a local band. Mom and I flirted shamelessly with the band members, all of whom have the reddest noses and faced I've ever seen (to much whiskey?). We then hired a taxi to take us to Belfast City Airport to pick up our rental car. Our taxi driver tried hard to have us hire him to take us on our adventure, but we were not tempted--we wanted to do things on our own. We picked up the rental car, which turned out to be a loaded Volvo station wagon with a sunroof, cd player and every possible amenity. We headed out of the city and up the coast. As we made our way up the hills that tower over the city along the coastline we were awestruck by its beauty. We saw cute little villages throughout the drive and more sheep then I ever could have imagined. For miles around they dot the hillside and even venture close to the roadway. There also also cattle galore.

We made our way through towns called carrick-fergus, Glenarm and Ballycastle, all on our venture to the Giant's Causeway. This was a truly magnificent site (now I know why it is listed in the book, 1000 Places to See Before You Die) . We decided to walk down to the causeway, which is about a mile because the bus (the ONE bus) that ran from the visitors center to the causeway was packed. The walk (down) was lovely, with magical vistas of amazing rock formations jutting out into the sea. On our right were amazing tall cliffs towering over the shore.
The causway itself is made up of hexagon shaped steps out of the sea made of basalt from when this area of Ireland was a volcano. It was truly amazing.
We then trecked back up (yes uphill, both ways barefoot) with a couple of rest breaks along the way. It was quite a workout and my buttocks are becoming more and more sublime everyday.
We then headed back to the car, and to Carrick-a-rede to see the amazing rope bridge. I stress the word SEE the rope bridge because I frankly didn't have the strength (or the kahunas) to make the walk to it and most likely would have chickened out when I got to it anyway. We met a lovely American Cubs Fan working in the tea room who had moved with her husband to Northern Ireland to see if they could make a living. We stopped at ruins of castles along the way back to Belfast, all along this beautiful shoreway with most amazing vistas. The pictures will speak better I think.
So, all in all, no problems with driving and a lovely day. We have just docked in Greenock, Scotland (which looks lovely) and they will have a piper to greet us. Today is our "Scottish Experience Tour: We are driving to some Loch for a cruise and then seeing a sheepdog demonstration followed by a visit to the scottish woolen center (yum). I will say, for the the sheep there are here, this is no YARN to be had. Just lovely, mostly woven scarfs and jumpers.
I'll write more later
Knitty D