Belfast 4/5 November 2006

Belfast 5 November 2006

Giant's Causeway. Another windy clifftop walk. It's smaller than we expected. Is that the Boot? Must be I suppose...Oh, no, here it is...I think. Too much whiskey from the nearby Bushmills Distillery fuelled the imagination of the people naming some of these formations.

The distillery itself is closed (guidebook and tourist ileaflet agree) but open when we decide to chance a visit - a developing theme. A fire alarm midway through the introductory film to the guided tour. (We'll help you save the stock!) Three whiskeys to taste. Jenny hates them all so I get hers. Sweeter, 16 year-old. Aged in sherry nd port barrels.

Dunluce Castle. Spectacular. Perched on a windswept headland. Sun set behind it.

Belfast 5 November 2006

Sunday morning dawns overcast. Spectacular Antrim coast road. Arrive at Carrick-a-rede rope bridge. The sign says closed for the end of the season on 31 October but, ambiguously, states "Open Today" underneath. A windswept clifftop walk to the bridge. The attendant helpfully informs us that the bridge will be dismantled tomorrow as it is worn out at the end of the season. He could have saved that till after the return crossing. Pose for photos on the bridge. Smile? No, gritting teeth and not looking down.

Belfast 4 November 2006

Flew Easyjet in the sale. Into Belfast International rather than the scarier option of Belfast City with its short runway and approach over the harbour. Picked up hre car and drove into the city avoiding the motorway to enter from the west. Irish tricolours.

Interesting exhibition at the City Hall in Donegal Square on the city's history to date - including the newly appointed Sinn Fein Mayor - and the fascinating old, wood-panelled Linen Hall Library. Walked the city centre to crooked Albert Memorial Clock Tower, Custom House, Harland and Wolf shipyard cranes, St Anne's Cathedral. Mountains at the end of every street. Back through the narrow, dingy, seedy alleys of the Setts.

Had a beer in The Crown, a Victorian saloon bar. Dark, low-ceilinged with private booths that you can reserve for (ordinary looking) lunch. Only missing the fug of cigarette smoke to complete the nostalgic timewarp.

Drive out of town following signs to Carrickfergus while Jenny falls asleep. Blowy walk around the harbour and castle.

Take the coast road to our hotel - a converted 17th century castle, complete with haunted tower. http://www.hastingshotels.com/index.cfm/aID/202/Content_Key/592/type/category/CatName/Ballygally_Castle.html
There's a wedding party expected when we arrive (my heart sinks) but the friendly service is maintained without a hitch. Nice meal in the quiet restaurant. Knock on the bedroom door..."Oh. You're not my father-in-law." Can only agree with that.