Followers

Wednesday 11 May 2016

Time for a catch up.

Good afternoon all, how are things going today ? Ok , I hope .

I am chatting to you from our cabin on the way back home,,,the ferry is 8 hours long so just perfect for a nice cup of tea and a chat.

The weather over the past couple of days has been glorious and the wonderful people of N.Ireland have given us such a warm welcome. Although we have only spent four days over here , one of which was the workshop we feel as though it has been a wonderful little break. It is the closest that Karl and me have had to a holiday for the last eight years.

On Sunday we drove up the causeway coastal route and took in the amazing scenery. Our campsite for the next two night was fabulous...to be honest ...the best that we have ever stayed in...and an added bonus was that the bus to the local attractions stopped just outside the reception.

So on Monday morning we set off to visit the rope bridge at Carrick-a-Rede, this is a National Trust site, it is a wonderful coastal walk to the bridge...then a narrow bridge made from wood and rope suspended across a 30m deep and 20 m wide chasm . It was traditionally erected by salmon fishermen .

We were so lucky with the weather, and the views really were breathtaking, and yes we both made it safely across to the island and back again.

Just look how clear the sea is.

After another short bus ride we arrived at the Giant's Causeway. This is a world heritage site and displays formations of unusual six sided basalt columns and a wealth of local national history

And once again stunning views

There is a wonderful legend about a couple of Giants and how the landscape was formed , if you get chance do look it up...

Back up the 20 minute walk to the visitors centre and time for a well earned rest and glass of something cold and refreshing.

I can tell you after all that walking and sea air, it wasn't long before we were both showered, fed and fast asleep...

Tuesday was our day to travelling back to Belfast ready for the ferry on Wednesday morning, but before we left we decided to visit the Bushmills Distillery which was only Five minutes away from the campsite.

This was a unique experience and we had a guided tour around Ireland's oldest working distillery. Bushmills was granted a royal licence to distill in 1608 , such an interesting place and I learnt so much about the process of distilling and the importance of the sherry and port casks in the making of Whiskey.


A few hours later we wandered our way back down the coastal route with time to stop once again and breath in some sea air

Great to see those ' white horses'

Such a great few days and so many memories.

As always I will have lots to catch up with when I get home, a magazine deadline , workshops to prepare for, and Tess and Eric to collect tomorrow morning...but it has all been worth it...

Oh and another ferry to book for our next workshop in Comber on Saturday October 22nd...and believe me...it will soon come around.

So I will say bye for now...thanks for joining me ...

See you again soon

Much love and hugs

Jo. xxx

 

4 comments:

Donna Brooks said...

Stunning pictures Jo, glad you have had a lovely time. Safe trip home. XX

Janet Pring said...

What a gorgeous place Ireland is! Glad you've had a lovely time x

Jo Rice said...

Thanks Donna and Janet....and oh yes it is such a beautiful place...I can't wait to go back..have a lovely weekend both...X X

Sharon said...

Great post and a nice advert for Ireland lol. Will you be putting the next Ireland workshop up on your workshop dates page?