The Glens of Antrim

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There are two things that Ireland does not have: one single faucet that mixes the hot and cold water (what's with one tap for hot water and one tap for cold? I keep burning my left hand and freezing my right. Half my face is always scalded!

The other thing it doesn't have is an abundance of internet cafes. That's why I have not been able to post any pictures. Maybe by the time I'm finished this blog, I'll have been able to coax this computer into cooperating. In the meantime, I'll jot some notes about what we've been doing.

Words can't do justice, unfortunately, to the nine glorious Glens of Antrim, where we have been for the past few days. The Glens are a giant patchwork of Ireland's famous "40 shades of green" as far as the eye can see. They are so beautiful they take your breath away (either that or it's the gale-force winds coming off the Atlantic). We went up to the Giant's Causeway, which is a strange mountain of oddly-shaped stones like a child's building blocks that disappear into into the sea. Each stone is shaped like a stop sign. Scientists say the stones were formed by an eruption of lava but I prefer the legend which says the Causeway was created when a giant called Finn McCool tried to build a bridge across the water to Scotland.

We've been having lots of laughs. The Irish sense of humour is hysterical, and so is the occasional language barrier. Like, for instance when we were in Port Rush, I asked the hotel clerk: Can you tell me where the library is?"

"Oh aye" she said, "See that red brick building? It's just around the corner."

Wondering if it was within walking distance, I said, "is it close?"

"Och no," she said, "it's open til 3 o'clock."

Today, we're in Belfast, having tea in my Aunt Leila's with Akela... listening to my young cousing Bill play guitar and sing. Remember his name--Bill McShane... you'll be buying his records one day.

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Photos

Glens of Antrim

Giant's Causeway
Rose at the causeway

Station Bar, Larne
The friendly bartender, Stephen, gave us these football jerseys.

we hiked down to this cabin
This little cabin was set down in the glen, a brave hike through steep sheep pasture.

cottage in the Glens
Look at how tiny the door was... the ancient Irish must have been tiny people.

Comments

[Lauren]

Fun!
What fun! That picture of Nana is lovely! I will DEFINITELY be begging an "interesting" pint glass from you when you get home. And those Guinness Jerseys are great! Good job, ladies ! What a haul! Hooray for pictures!!!!

[anonymous]

No fair Dumbhead, you get to have all th fun.

[Todd]

Torr's head.... I could have sworn that's Deb's head... haha

[Barbara P.]

Aye me... the glens
This Uke is feeling homesick for the glens.... Btw... your mother is gorgeous ~