Wet Antrim Morning – 28 July

I woke to hear the rain lashing on the window pane.  Not a day for sketching!  Over breakfast of cereal, croissant and coffee, Margaret had obviously been thinking about this and came up with a few suggestions, while my weather app assured us the weather would clear up by midday.

We headed off in the drizzle towards Limavady, passing the prison of Magillagan on the right – high blank grey concrete walls with CT cameras everywhere and barbed wire topped enclosures –  so depressing in the drizzle.  We continued to Lough Foyle where the car ferry would take you across to Donegal.  We stood on the sandy beach and watched the ferry appear out of the gloom across the short expanse of water…. a peaceful spot with very few people about.  But we didn’t plan to cross today!image

Then on to Castlerock where Margaret showed me the 12 Apostles!  A row of purpose built quaint-style cottages which previously would have had a view of the ocean but a development of holiday homes had since obscured their privileged view.

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By now the rain had eased and we called in at the gallery and studio of a solo artist, Patricia McCormack French, and chatted with her at some length about her work, particularly her developing style on the theme of dancing hares.  Quite quirky!

imageShe said she was preparing to exhibit in Windsor as the tourist season in Ireland was limited.  I mentioned my artist friend Marie Robinson, as I believe she exhibits at this Contemporary Art Fair.

Time for a coffee!  Harry’s Shack was a new recommended beach restaurant and we ended up having a light lunch of fresh crab salad and chips followed by carrot cake and coffee.  We sat for a while in this convivial atmosphere just chatting and sorting our problems.

imageMeanwhile the skies had cleared and the sunshine had transformed the sea view into a full colour version so we decided to take a walk along the coastal path, the warmth of the sun on our backs.  We sat a while on a bench and watched children with their fishing nets and buckets in a world of their own searching in the rock pools.  We walked on as far as the Salmon Fisherman’s Cottage ruins, then wandered back stopping briefly for a little paddle in a sandy cove.

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imageimageimageimageThen off to Dunluce Castle, a medieval castle built on an outcrop of basalt rock.  Nearby was ‘The Wee Cottage’ where it didn’t take us long to choose an Irish cream tea.image

Our next destination was Bushmills, via Port ballin’trae, a pretty little harbour.  We were just in time to look around Gallery 1608 before it closed. It contained a huge selection of interesting Artwork, including a rediculous assortment of hare artwork.  However we were both bowled over by a fabulous painting by Nicole Neces, a local artiust whose expressive style portrayed the Irish landscape in an ethereal way.image

Finally time to return home where Jim cooked a delicious barbecue.  We ate indoors as the day had cooled down again.

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