Maureen's Travel Blog

I had been awake a while when I received a text from Christine in the kitchen “Wake up, it’s a beautiful morning, come and join me for breakfast!”  John had left early with Joe on a marathon cycle ride along the coast road.

Unfortunately our boat trip round the Gobbins was not going to happen because there were not enough takers.  However, not to be put off, we did some googling and found another boat trip on Lough Neagh in Antrim.

It was so warm outside that Christine suggested I sit a while in the garden.  The view of the hills from there were so lush and green, that I just had to do a quick watercolour.  They have all this rain here for a reason!

As we were leaving, cousin Lynda called in with her friend from England to say hi.  They didn’t have enough time to join us. We had a brief chat about the party, etc., before heading down to Antrim.  By the time we got there it had become cold and grey but we were made of sturdy stuff and we boarded the Maid of Antrim wearing fleece and hooded raincoats!   Although the couple who ran the boat were friendly and supplied us with coffee, it was difficult to find much to enjoy on this trip.  Even the wildlife had little going for it.  ‘Look straight ahead and you will see the lesser spotted easy jet taking off from Ireland’s international airport’, came the skipper’s voice over the loudspeaker.  This made us giggle anyway. (I added the ‘lesser spotted’)  This trip across the Loch would have been transformed by some sunshine and warmth!

On the way back we called at a newly opened farm park at Donegore for some lunch.  We wanted to see the Motte, a look out point involving a 550 foot climb.  The view was spectacular despite the developing drizzle.  “On a clear day this historic pre-Anglo-Norman motte has views of six Ulster counties. In earlier years the “Motte” was believed to have been a Passage Grave, but around 1798, it was an important meeting place for the United Irishmen preparing for the ‘Battle of Antrim’.  We continued along the Nature Trail and then finally looked at the huge variety of farm animals, in various enclosures and well designed houses, making them accessible to children.  We were most impressed.

We returned to find John sprawled on the settee relaxing after his successful cycling efforts.

In the evening, John, Christine, Johanna and I all went to the Halfway House for a meal.  It was a beautiful evening to end the day as it had started.  

The day started off bright, but as we sat chatting over breakfast, the heavens opened!  Margaret had surprised me with a full Ulster fry – delish!  I have had such a splendid time in Ballymoney and will be sorry to leave.

Twas to be the big party this evening of sister’s Jennifer and Linda – two more of my cousins who were at the other end of the Antrim Coast.  So rather than take a short-cut inland, I decided to follow the coast road.  I can never get enough of the stunning views on this route ‘of outstanding’ beauty’.

Starting at Portrush (world famous for it’s golf),  I passed through, sometimes stopping briefly at places like Port Stewart, Whiterocks, Whiteparks Bay, Bushmills, famous for distillery, Giant’s Causeway (hexagonal stones) – I thought I might go down but way too many tourists and I really didn’t have enough time.  By now it was very warm and the sun shone brightly again.  I stopped briefly at the viewpoint for Dunseverick Castle where there were wild Canterbury Bells. Onwards to pretty Ballintoy Harbour, where I decided to stop for lunch at the Red Door Cottage – seafood chowder with Irish Wheaten. Then onward to Cushiondunn and Cushiondall? Then Glenarm, Carnlough, passing the turn to Cairncastle where I’d spent many a holiday with cousin Irene, who now lived in France.  I would hopefully visit her daughter, Pam, before I leave.  Then on through Ballygally, where I turned off towards Glenoe to cousin Christine, where I would be staying tonight.  We planned to go to the party together.

After catching up, we got ourselves ready.  Christine wanted to take me to Billy Andy’s first for a drink and some Irish music – fiddle-e-dee! This was fun as we chatted to the guys, – one had a friend in Banbury hospital who’d slipped at the reception of a Charlbury wedding I had sung in the choir for – small world.  Anyway, this meant no escaping having to sing along with the various assortment of musical instruments.

After an hour or so, John picked us up for the party at Knockagh Lodge.  This was already in full swing and it was great to see all the other Irish cousins.  Jennifer and Linda bedecked in garlands came up to welcome us, then I saw Sandra and Andy, Shirley and Ian, Jim and Rosemary, with Gemma, Raymond and Kay…. and after bubbly and chats there was buffet food and then some serious bopping on the dance floor.  Christine has so much energy!  There was a birthday quiz, speeches, cake, balloons and a great time had by all until John brought our carriage to the door at around 1am.

I could see the sun illuminating the window blind as I opened my eyes, and drew it up to reveal a cracking morning out there.  The early morning sun rays were streaming across the hills and the golden ripening barley field just below my window.  I felt a painting coming on!

Twas to be a creative day!  After breakfast of delicious homemade Irish wheaten bread and coffee, off for walk down the muddy lane at the back of the house to the fields below.  Fortunately Margaret had a pair of wellies that fitted perfectly.  The views were wonderful as we made our way down the farm track to a field of young bullocks.  They stood inquisitively while I sketched them.  It was a beautiful bright sunny morning and you could see for miles across the hills.

We returned for a cup of coffee before embarking on some serious clay sculpting.  I had no idea that Margaret had a purpose-built studio hidden among the trees which had the perfect view of the Antrim Hills.  She handed me a large lump of ‘paper’ clay and I set to work sculpting a spaniel dog, while she worked on a plate with wheat prints.

I found this a lot of fun and quite therapeutic.  My sculpture actually resembled a dog, although his head kept sagging.  I was advised to put a little cardboard prop under his chin.

It had warmed up considerably by lunchtime so we decided to eat al fresco, an appetising salad assortment Mediterranean style.  Jim, who had spent the morning at work TB testing (he’s a vet), arrived home to join us.  It became quite cool again after lunch so he lit the wood burner in the converted stables, where we relaxed after lunch.  We all fell asleep!

Eventually Margaret reminded me that I needed to try the potter’s wheel!  This was something totally different from sculpting and I certainly found it very difficult to keep the lump of porcelain in the centre of the wheel.

‘Practice makes perfect’ Margaret said, it takes about 80 throws or 10 years!  I did eventually produce something that resembled a small receptacle, so felt reasonably pleased with my endeavours.

In the evening we set off to Ballycastle for jumbo cod and chips.  I couldn’t believe my luck when, while Margaret and I waited in the car for Jim to return with the fish and chips, I suddenly saw what looked like a dolphin breach in the harbour.  I leapt out of the vehicle yelling dolphins at Margaret, and ran down to the quayside with my camera. Sure enough, there were two leaping out of the water.  I just about got a fin on camera.

We drove on round to the other side of the bay to eat our food. Jim had also bought deep fried scallops for starters.  All so delicious and fresh.  He had also brought me along an Irish Beer, and we all sat in our element watching the light changing across the bay as the sun got lower in the sky.

Jim then proceeded to drive back along the scenic coast road to make the most of the setting sun.  We passed Dunluce Castle, Whiteparks Bay, Ballintoy, Bushmills, Portrush, and finally stopped in Port Stewart for an ice cream.  It was getting pretty chilly by this time and the sun had finally set, leaving a blackness to the ocean.

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!

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.

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!

She 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.

Meanwhile 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.

Then 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.

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.

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

I thought I would include this short trip to Northern Ireland, as part of my UK Road Trips, as I have no big plans and that always turns out to be quite exciting…. not knowing what the next day will bring.

First and foremost I’ve been invited to a double cousin birthday celebration and have decided to take in a few days of sketching in this beautiful country to fit around this event.

Needless to say, I’m sitting at Birmingham International Airport waiting for my flight to be called.  It is about 5 degrees cooler in Ireland, according to my app, and raining!  So planning what to include in my 10k cabin baggage was not easy.  Hey ho – will be fine!  A couple of pics to remind me how beautiful it is….

I have now touched down at Belfast City Airport. Easy flight and great company beside me. Like me, someone flying over for a birthday party but his was in Lisbon.

Next major task was to collect expensive hired car and find my way out of the airport. In fact the gears were awful on this purple Peugeot 108 and I managed to perform 3 U turns before finally finding myself on the Dublin motorway! Meanwhile google maps (with no sound) was beckoning me to make another U turn. I had decided to head for Antrim town, which was en route to my cousin Jim’s house in Ballymoney. Now I find myself in Antrim Castle Gardens finally relaxing with a nice cup of tea. (Will post pics of the stunning gardens when I can get them off my camera)

I had planned to drive up the coast but decided, as time was moving on fast, that I should head straight to Ballymoney now.  Jim had told me to be there by 6pm.  In fact I arrived early and had a cup of coffee and a chat with Margaret before Jim arrived home from his usual weekly round of golf.  Margaret also showed me her pottery studio – wow, she has been so productive!

Was also greeted by their adorable new border terrier puppy, Bonnie.

We went to the Memaid in Portrush for dinner very nice but with the most obscene sweet you ever saw made up of ice cream fruit cream and a huge brandysnap the size of a dinner plate. It was too much even for all three of us.  Afterwards walking back to the car we witnessed a beautiful Irish sunset across the ocean.