Portballintrae, Northern Ireland, UK

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April 28th 2014

Published: April 28th 2014

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cathandchris

Local Wildlife

Just outside our unit. Pretty sure it's a hare, not a rabbit.

Sun 27 April 2014,

Portballintrea, Northern Ireland UK.

Today we did very little, Sunday, a day of rest in the eyes of lord. We have just done too much over the past week and needed a day off. We went into Portrush to grab some supplies from the local LIDL and then back to the accommodation to nibble on some cheese, biscuits and caviar, yep you read right, caviar, available in your local LIDL for £1.50.

Tomorrow we intend to get back into it. It’s the end of the school holidays here and the crowds will have died down. We intend to walk to the Giants Causeway and then onto Bushmills distillery for a tour and tasting. Best to tell you all this now, as I might not be able remember too much after Bushmills. I have been told that while on the tour, you get the opportunity to taste 21 year old whiskey. Saying that we will have to walk about 2 miles home. Taxi……………

Mon 28 April 2014

Portballintrea, Northern Ireland UK.

It’s been a long day, we have walked about 10-15 kms today and we are stuffed. We’re just resting

The local in Portballintrae

It's the only local

now, flicking through the TV and having a quite one. Today started by walking to the “Giants Causeway” about four kilometres from here, however we walked about another 5 kilometres through the Giant’s Causeway National Park and then back to Portballintrae.

The Giant's Causeway is an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption, some 60, 000 years ago, it was named as the fourth greatest natural wonder in the United Kingdom. The tops of the columns form stepping stones that lead from the foot of the cliff and then disappear under the sea. Most of the columns are hexagonal, although there are also some with four, five, seven or eight sides. The tallest are about 12 metres high. The pictures show you more than I can explain. By the way we walked from the top of the cliff to the Giants Causeway and then back to the top. No bus ride for us.

After that we went to Bushmills Distillery for a tour and then a tasting. Sorry, but due to secrecy at the distillery, there are no photos, but I can tell you all, I’m on the right track with

Our accommodation

what I am doing at home. Unfortunately the stories I had heard about tasting the 21 year whiskey didn’t come to light, so it was a 12 year old and then back home to taste the 16 year old I had purchase at the airport in London. Surprise, Surprise it was cheaper at the airport than the distillery.

Tomorrow we are leaving Porballintrae and heading to Rath Kenny, about 3 hours south, to stay at the farm property we stayed at last time we were here. The thatch cottage is still there, but Chris and David have added a modern building next to the thatch, so we will be staying in luxury. Last time we stayed at Rath Kenny the internet connection wasn’t great, so it may be sometime before we can post another blog. Anyway we will see what happens.

We are a little sad about leaving Portballintrae, it is a beautiful part of the world and we would recommend it to anyone. There as some fantastic coastal walks and scenery I have never seen in Australia. Well worth the visit.

We will also be catching up with Sean, Chantel and the kids again. They will