Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland was such a pleasant surprise to me.  Simply gorgeous countryside and even more spectacular coastline.  I was there in the fall and the wild fuchsia lined the country roads.

This is the coastline of England at Hollyhead as we departed on the ferry across the Irish sea

4 hour car ferry crossing across a very wild Irish Sea!

 As we entered Belfast, this structure overwhelmed the city.  Have no idea what it is.

The new Titanic museum which had just opened summer 2012.  Fascinating museum and well worth a visit.

Coastal road along the east coast of Northern Ireland

Carnlough, Northern Ireland

Our hotel in Carnlough, The Londonderry Arms.

  Rope Bridge that I did not cross!

Thistle

The Giant's Causeway.  It's an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns that resulted from an ancient volcanic eruption.  The Giant's Causeway is about 3 miles northeast of the town of Bushmills, yes, of irish whiskey fame.    The tops of the columns form stepping stones that lead from the cliff foot and disappear under the sea.  Most of the columns are hexagonal and the tallest are about 39 feet high.  It's the most popular tourist attraction in Northern Ireland and the UK consideres it the 4th greatest wonder in the United Kingdom.

 The countryside around the Causeway.