Ramblers Trip to the Antrim Coast and Glens~~~Day Two~~~Ballintoy to the Giants Causeway

(I've just learned something new and will put it into practice in this and future blogs.Clicking on any of the pictures now will open it in a new tab,with the opportunity to enlarge it slightly more)

Before beginning todays blog I must again thank both Scoop and Billy for their contribution to the pictures.

The plan by some of us to have a cooked breakfast at the Fullerton disappeared last night,and everyone made use of the excellent kitchen facilities at Sheep Island View.

I'd downloaded the 33 Mile Causeway Coast Way from the internet,and had planned to do the first sections.After talking to a local man down at Ballintoy Harbour I decided to take his advice and change the route.We'll now do sections 4 and 5,but in reverse.

First thing though is a trip to the visitors centre to leave the minibus,where, due to our well prepared car driver, we get free parking by displaying her National Trust membership card.

It's a fabulous morning as we make our way down to Ballintoy Harbour.We're heading along the coastal path and our target is the Giants Causeway.

This coastline, as well as the Causeway itself, is a world heritage site.After a look in the caves at Ballintoy we're heading west.

We're passing islets going by the names of Islandlean,Carricknaford and Long Gilbert.The path is undulating and often rocky,as will be much of todays walk.

I've been getting mixed up with my rocks.I thought that this sea monster lookalike was elephant rock...

...but having looked again I can see it here now.


Of course we can't confuse it with the cliff-side Elephant Rock at White Rocks near Portrush.We're making steady headway,but there's distractions around every corner that need a little exploration.

Now we emerge onto the beach at Whitepark Bay.

I took a walk along here last March.This is just a brilliant beach.It always has a feeling of freshness about it.

As we stop for a bit of a group picture,we can see Port Braddan in the distance in the mist.

With individual group members doing their own little lateral explorations we get stretched out a little.Surf and reflections make their own pictures.

Now getting closer to the cliffs we see this 'Rainbow'.It can't be a rainbow because we haven't had any rain.I've just learned there's such a thing as a Mistbow,so we have the answer.

The next couple of hundred yards are testing.If we can't get over these rocks we've a fairly long detour around.It's quite a challenging stretch with some slippery and large rocks to surmount,but eventually we make it over .

We've arrived at Port Braddan.

The mist we've been seeing is steadily lifting.We take a short break.

I'd be surprised if the cannon in this picture isn't a genuine one.As well as floundering over at Sligo,there were Armada ships lost along this coast as well.

This small private church is dedicated to St. Gobban.It's said to be the smallest in Ireland, but apparently, the remains of an even smaller one (St. Lasseraghs) stand on the cliff above.What a cracking wee building.

Back on the move,the path now takes us up to this arch.We wondered whether this was a man made opening,but apparently not.It is a natural arch,and a landslip has caused the loosening of stones.
As with all the pictures in todays blog,I'm spoiled for choice.

Now we zig zag and undulate past the inlets called Portacallan,Portachornan and Portninish.Every turn reveals the darkening of the rock from limestone to igneous.

Although there are still a few hazardous slopes,the caretakers of the coastal path have done a great job in erecting steps wherever possible.
There's cattle on the beach,we're nearing Dunseverick Harbour.

A number of us were happily relieved to have found the facilities open at the harbour,and now we're doing a short stretch of road walking.The small island back out from the harbour goes by the name of The March Foot.


Now we reach this burn that flows into the sea at Portnaweelan.I've no idea of it's name.I love the way it flows over the rocks.

Now after rounding Geeragh Point we reach Dunseverick Castle.
There is not much of it left. St.Patrick may have visited this fort in 500AD.I've read that a local man,Conal Caernach served the king that lived in this castle,and was a roman soldier who witnessed the crucifixion of Christ.

Opposite the castle,Moyle Council have provided a nice picnic area.We'll have lunch here.
We're roughly half way now,but have completed the hardest section.From here all the way to the Causeway is the most popular amongst walkers.There's a wide well maintained path the rest of the way.

Having spoken to a number of walkers coming west to east,it looks as though we've made the best decision.At least two couples have told us they walked fast over here,because they couldn't see a thing for the mist.

Well refreshed we're on the move again.Looking back the way we came,we can see the church at Ballintoy,and the ins and outs of the headlands we've rounded.

Now the path has a gradual incline and the cliff terrain below us becomes more spectacular.Many of the inlets have Port as the prefix to their name.Beyond Port Moon is a salmon fishery.The building on the shore looks the worse for wear.

Now we're above the headland called Liag-Na-Gaeithe or Contham Head.A similar view back as two pictures ago,but a bit further along.


We've reached the highest point at Hamilton seat,where we take a rest.
Continuing on we pass Horse Shoe Harbour,Giant's Eye Glass,Spaniard Rock and Irish Harp.

Now we reach Chimney Tops and let the world know we're here by shouting out.Below us is the Amphitheatre and the resounding echos are irresistible.
The small moving dots on the rocks below are visitors to the Causeway.


Now we're above the Giants Causeway proper and we're encountering more and more people.

We've reached the point on the cliff top path above the Shepherds Steps.
We take a moment out before descending the 162 steps...

...where some of us take a look at the Organ Pipes.

Reaching the Grand Causeway it looks as though there's a televised interview happening.

The Causeway in all it's glory.


Now comes the photocalls.Being a big enough group we've no problems shifting other people out of the way.Ha ha

It's a pound to get the bus up to the visitors centre.We've walked more than nine miles up to here.We'll surely do this last little stretch.

The visitors centre is reached,and welcome refreshments are partaken in the cafe.

After a look around, the first bus load leaves for the hostel, while those of us left sample the ice cream.

Later it's the Fullerton for some of us,while others demolish bottles of wine at the hostel.

It unanimous,it's been an excellent day.

Ramblers Trip to the Antrim Coast and Glens~~~Day One~~~Cranny Falls and Ballintoy Harbour

Back in 2009 I'd suggested a trip to the coast and glens of Antrim in Northern Ireland.After a recce in March, Recce I found a few interested parties amongst the Wigtownshire Ramblers,so I went ahead organising the trip.
The time has now come and thirteen of us are on the way to Sheep Island Hostel in Ballintoy for four nights.

(Between Scoop,Billy the Honda Kid and myself we took a lot of great pictures.All the pictures shown from this trip will be from one of us.Thanks to the others for allowing me to use them)

It's Monday the 11th of October.
I've checked the minibus over and I'm on the move.
I'll drive today and on the way home.'Cabby' who's got his own wheelchair access taxi firm will do the bulk of the driving.
After picking up all the bus passenger,we meet up with the car and it's five occupants and head for Cairnryan and the boat.
It's a great morning to travel.

Loch Ryan is wonderfully calm as we watch our boat coming in.

We'll have plenty of group pictures as the week goes on.

The notice above this seat states 'It is illegal to throw garbage overboard'.Is this a cryptic message to arguing couples or dysfunctional families.We certainly had a good laugh.
A quiz question in the above picture as well...who's silhouette is that?

The cafe service on the boat wasn't very good,but we weren't too bothered.
I took quite a few pictures on board,but nothing out of the ordinary.


A two hour sailing sees us reaching the port of Larne and we're soon disembarking.

A scenic drive north on the coast road takes us through Ballygalley and Glenarm.Reaching Carnlough we park up for refreshments where some of us eat at the Harbour Lights restaurant.
It's still a beautiful day.

Looks like they're getting ready for halloween in the Harbour Lights.
I've a walk planned here.I've never done it before,but talking to a few locals we learn the route and find it's well waymarked.

We're walking from the harbour to the Cranny Falls.Walk NI

A well defined path takes us up to Gortin Quarry.This is known as the Old Mineral Railway Path as the information board tells us.

It's a nice steady gradient and we're soon investigating the quarry.There are nice views back along the coast.

We soon reach the falls. Certainly worth the walk.I've just done a google image search and find it's been well photographed.

Following Scoop through a small opening in the safety fence got me a dirty shirt,she got a laugh.Spot the difference in the hue and tone of two different cameras on the waterfall.

Time to retrace our steps and continue our journey.
These two ladies aren't part of our group.I just liked the symmetry of the scene.

These two ladies are though and there's not much the matter with their symmetry either.

Back in the vehicles we continue along the coast road detouring round Garron Tower,passing through Waterfoot and Cushendall.

Continuing on over the moors above Cushendun and passing Loughareema, the vanishing lake, we made our way to Ballycastle where we stopped for provisions.

Five more miles gets us to Ballintoy and Sheep Island View.

The view is not only Sheep Island,but Rathlin beyond,and on clearer days Islay and Jura.
Hostel

After we're all settled into our respective rooms and dorms we've still time to take a walk down to Ballintoy Harbour.
Ballintoy
My kids used to love this place.It looks like these grown ups feel the same.

This house is known as Bendhu and it's history can be found here.
Bendhu

The sun's going down quickly,but the views are still magnificent.The high cliffs of Fair Head are standing proud to the east.

We talk to some fishermen.They've arrived this late for the sea bass.It's the best time to catch them we're told.

As the sun goes down on this tranquil setting,I've been talking to a local man about coastal paths.
Tomorrows walk is sorted.
Back up in the village we head for the Fullerton Arms for some splendid fare.Coffee and tea later at the hostel we reflect on the day.
It's gone well.