Big step, little step ....

Rain stayed away this am for the most part, which worked out well for our plans. We left after breakfast to make the short ride to the Carrick Rope bridge. We wanted to be in line when it opened to miss the crowds. Today Kerry was at the wheel and I was navigating (must have done ok yesterday!) and we got there in no time. We were in line right when it opened. Then we began the up and down hike to get to the bridge. The bridge itself was a bit shorter than I had expected and wobbly to cross. Thank goodness it was more secure and strong than the one people used to throw across to get access to the island to fish. I wouldn’t have attempted the old one we saw in the pictures! Once across there was just a very small part to explore (going up again). It did offer really spectacular views of the cliffs from where we had come and the water. After a bit of picture taking we headed back across the bridge and to the car so we could go to Giants Causeway. I had seen pictures before but to stand there on it was just amazing. It should be one of the 10 wonders of the world for sure! While we walked down the path (do you see a pattern here?) we had an audio guide that told us the stories of Fin McCoul, a giant, and how the formations related to stories of him. Entertaining. I read a book in my class with him in it (around St. Patrick’s Day) but these stories were new. Then to see them. Hexagonal in shape and pretty much the same width, they were different heights. The scientific, not giant, explanation is a bit detailed but short version involves lava cooling long long ago and being covered and nature working its magic. To be alone in the area would have been magical but that’s only possible in one’s dreams I believe. Took some photo creativity to cut people out of my picture sometimes but I’m sure I still managed to take too many pictures. In a place so unique it’s always like ‘one more picture’. We stayed and wandered for a bit. The greatest miracle? I DIDNT FALL!! Maneuvering between rocks to get around was a bit like a dance. I was a bit wobbly at times with my arms out for balance but I did it!  Quite the accomplishment if you know me! Last stop of the day was Bushmills Distillery. We enjoyed a quick lunch in their cafe and then we did a tour. Interesting but after doing some in Scotland not all the info was new (no pics because with such high alcohol in the air the slightest electronic charge/whatever wouldn’t be good). Their process of course was different than Scotland. No peat moss and it gets done 3 times. Guy said this made it more smooth but we must have different ideas on what smooth means. If his smooth means burning down the throat and then a face turning grimace from the aftertaste, then smooth it was! Totally lost in our group. We each got a different kind to sample so we could share and there was quite a bit left in each glass. 

Forgot to mention we stopped by the dark hedges made famous in game of thrones (Although they were around much much longer and visited before it). Recent trimming make it a little less dramatic but the trees are still impressive.