Carrickfergus Castle & Giant Causway 27 September

Hired a car today (7 seater) to take us all up North to see 'Carrickfergus Castle' and the 'Giant Causeway'.

We headed up the coast and the landscape was gorgeous.

First stop 'Carrickfergus Castle'.  We had great fun exploring the castle and listening to a short animated video.  The original castle was built around 1177 by John de Courcy.  The Outer Ward was added  around 1250.  Hannah was horrified to hear that during one of the battles they ate some of their enemy.......

Carrickfergus Castle

King William of Orange

Hannah's new dress

Games Room

View from Castle

Two dead soldiers

Hot chocolates and coffees then hit the road again to the 'Giant Causeway'.  First we stopped and walked down to the rope bridge.  We left Georgie at the top and headed down.  I don't like heights so there was no stopping for photos on the rope bridge but great views.  Huffing and puffing we walked back up.  Hannah and Chloe ran up it......

Rope Bridge

I hate heights ...................

Back in the car and off to the rocks.  These are an amazing natural phoneoumum. 

Dublin 26 September

Dublin - here we come........

Up nice and early to catch a train down to Dublin.  Georgie had organised a day trip down there for us as a surprise.

160km to Dublin from Belfast.  The train ride took two hours but we arrived there before we knew it.  Hannah & Chloe asked why we don't have trains like this from Auckland to Rotorua??   They thought it was definitely the way to travel.  I agree!

First impression was how busy it was..... lots of people.  We started walking towards the city centre.  Stopped to check the map to make sure we were on the right course when a lovely elderly man stopped to ask if we needed help.  The friendly Irish!

'The Spire'

Decided the best thing would be to get on a Dublin Sightseeing bus (another hop on hop off).  While we were waiting for it the girls decided they needed the toilet and Hannah spotted 'Starbucks'.  In we went only to find that you needed to buy something to get a code for the toilet......  Queued to order a drink only to find out that they only took 'Euros' so Hannah rushed outside to get some off Pete while Chloe & I went to the back of the line again. What a mission........  ggggrrrrrrrrrr spotted a Macdonalds as we came out.

Hannah enjoying her Starbucks drink

Hopped on the bus and our first stop was at the Trinity College.  Such beautiful old buildings.  Felt strange sight seeing (walking around) a functioning college.

Inside 'Trinity College' grounds

Make shift 'Confessional'.  I was worried I might get zapped from above :)

Back on another bus to the 'Temple Bar' area.  Lots of pubs (funny that) and free entertainment in this area.  Hopped off and went into 'Quays Irish Restaurant' and had a traditional Irish pub lunch. Yum......  Couple of glasses of Guinness & wine to help wash it down.

Before......

After.......  

Okay ready for more sight seeing.  First stop was to buy a few souvenir Jerseys/T-shirts then back on a bus.

GPO

Pub

Christchurch Cathedral

Guinness Factory

Old horse and carts outside Guinness Factory

One of the many bridges over the Liffey River (longest river in Ireland - flows into the Shand)

Caught another bus and stayed on enjoying the commentary and sights from the top deck.

Caught the 4.50pm train back to Belfast which was pretty fill.  We found four seats and deposited ourselves only to find out that three of them were reserved when two lovely elderly people turned up for their seats.  Up we got, grabbing all our bags.  We ended up finding a seat for Hannah; Chloe sat on the floor by one of the doors while Pete & I stood.  Luckily it was only for about 40minutes after which we most of the people got off at the next stop.

Got back to Georgie's only to discover we had left Chloe's bag on the train.  Waiting till Monday (when the lost property is open) to see if anyone handed it in :(

Fingers crossed!


Just as a side note....  food and milk is dead cheap here!

2Ltr  Milk around $2

Donaghadee 25 September

Today we went to visit Pete's oldest brother Steve.

Chloe; Steve and Hannah

We collected Steve and headed to Donaghadee (Yeah good luck with pronouncing that - ha ha).
This is a beautiful little fishing village by the sea.  The girls had a play at a local play ground before we strolled along the waters edge down to the lighthouse.  No beach/sand just a stone wall.

Hannah and Chloe with Castle in the back ground

The scenery was gorgeous with it's very own little castle up on the hill.  We trekked up to the castle (okay it was a leisurely stroll) hoping we could go in but it was all locked up.  It appeared to have grass & weeds growing inside.  Chloe was disappointed that we couldn't go in so I told her to ask her Daddy to build her a castle when we get home.....  :)

Wandered back down and sampled some of the local fish (Cod) & chips for lunch.  The fish as beautiful - very fresh.

Georgie & Kim

Headed back to Glencraig to drop off Steve and see where he lives.  He gave us a tour of the farm and we meet a lot of his carers.  They were very friendly.  Said goodbye and headed back to Belfast.

Will catch up with Steve again on Saturday.