The Causeway Coast - Ireland, Day 5

It's been a while since I've written about Ireland or anything . . . but I do want to finish this little series!

Day 5 was Monday, our first full day living on the North Coast, and it was one of our most favorite days.  :)  Picking up from my trip journal:

"Ruthie was up at 6:30 despite the tiring previous day. John sweetly took her to Spar for groceries, however, and let me sleep until at least 8. We had cereal for breakfast and hung out until our guides April and Tim showed up.  

Had some quick tea before driving over to Bushmills to walk a 2-mile trail along a train track to Giant's Causeway.  [This is where it really helped to know some locals. :)  Rather than driving straight to the Causeway and paying for parking, we left our rental at a free spot on the street, got to enjoy the quaint little town and a truly beautiful walk to our destination.  There's also a tourist train for those who'd rather not walk both ways (or at all).]

[Creek running through Bushmills, near where we parked our car.]

"We had picked up sandwiches at a shop hoping to eat on the rocks, but as it began to rain lightly, we stopped and ate at the tourist train station instead before continuing our walk.  

[Before the rain hit, the coast came into view, and we couldn't help but stop to play in some of the dunes!  This is another strong memory I have of Ireland from 7 years ago . . . the chilly water, smooth shore, towering dunes with skirt-like grasses growing in clumps.  Sliding down into hidden valleys of sand . . . :)]

 

[Tim looking like an explorer. :)]

[April and Tim . . . fearless guides and gracious friends.  :)]

  

[Some of my favorite photos are from John's iPhone, and this is one of them!  I suspect that a lot of it is because he's just better at photography than me (knows more, more experience, etc.).]

"It was a good decision; almost all our time on the Causeway was very soggy.  The girls did remarkably well in their rain coats, clambering up the rocks or alternately riding in our packs.  It was fun, though we had to cut it a bit short.  

[Intrigued by this apparent graffiti from the 19th century!]

"Ruthie finally lost it as we began the walk back, and we spent a good bit of time in the train station warming up by the coal fire and drinking coffee (or nursing, in the baby's case).  The sun came out for our walk back and then we drove home.

The two other couples hung out at the house before walking to dinner in town, but we fed the kids some quick pasta and got them in bed. Played   a game of hearts with Sarah and Logan when they got back and Logan entertained us with riddles!  Then we went to bed a bit late.