Northern Ireland

We spent our first nights in Derry (Londonderry) and enjoyed walking on top of the walls of the old city. This is Bishop’s Gate -

… and the view from atop the wall -

This was a very crowded city (outside the walls) and not very interesting, although they did have a gorgeous Guild Hall…

… and a neat Peace Bridge across the River Foyle -

Now, across the northern coast is their country’s claim to fame - The Giant’s Causeway -

There are 40,000 interlocking basalt columns…

… which I found fascinating, because some were flat, some concave and some convex -

It was actually quite fun to wander over the site -

Continuing along the coast…

… the Carrick-a Rede rope bridge was a must visit for us.

The first bridge was built in 1755 to facilitate salmon fishing off the tiny island of Carrick. Our excursion wasn’t nearly as harrowing as pictures make it out to be.

Dunseverick Castle was a brief, colorful stop -

Some sidebar notes on driving in Ireland — Not all roundabouts are fully built up circles…

… and not all 2 lane roads can actually fit 2 cars -

Even on a drizzly day, this area was breathtakingly beautiful -

On a ramble out to Torr Head…

… I captured a stoat…

… bringing his capture back to his lair -

The day started in mixed clouds and sun, turned rainy in the middle and cleared up just as we got to our B&B for the night -