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| This pub sits across from the hotel. What makes it fairly unique are the little cubbyhole bar cabinets where anywhere from 4 to 10 people can sit together. We're told that many a deal was sealed in one of these cabinets! |
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| Brenda Ford and her Mom Rose. Rose's children bought her this trip to help celebrate her 95th birthday! |
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| This sign brought a few chuckles after some of what folks saw last night on Halloween! We saw several party-goers headed home while we boarded our bus! |
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| The drive took us along the coast and along several rivers |
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| This crown adorns one of the roundabouts - significance is unknown but could signify loyalty to the British crown. |
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| These ruins are of Dunluce Castle was built by the McQuliian family in the 16th century. |
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| One of our friends wanted a photo of a castle but I'm not sure this will satisfy her! |
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| Sheep are everywhere! |
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| This tunnel was a challenge for our bus driver but he transited nicely at about 3 mph! |
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| The coast is beautiful! |
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| This was Sunday and bicyclers were everywhere! |
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| We stopped in Carnlough where this unusual plaque paid tribute to a pigeonfrom Carnlough who served with distinction in WW-II and was even awarded a citation for bravery! |
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| The jetty protects a small harbor |
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| This rugged little boat is funny looking but it will stay upright in large swells! |
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| This unexpected slowdown occurred when sheep partly blocked our motorway! |
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| They didn't seem to be terribly distressed (or impressed) by the huge motor-coach that threatened them! |
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| This scenic overlook gave us a view of Scotland just 10-15 miles away! |
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| Finally at the Giant's Causeway. Seems a Scottish Giant and an Irish Giant were always threatening one another. One day the Scottish giant built a causeway across the narrow divide between the two countries and started across. As he neared, the Irish giant saw how huge he was and was in fear of defeat! His wife counseled him to put on a bonnet and pretend to be an infant. When the Sottish giant saw how huge the "baby" was, he figured Dada was much bigger and headed back to Scotland tearing up the causeway as he went. All that was left were the footer here and at a similar site in Scotland. |
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| As we walked down the path, we encountered the "onion" stones - rocks that are being worn away in layers, much as in the layers of an onion |
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| But the star of the show are the hexagonal columns formed during a volcanic eruption. They told us how but I still haven't got my mind wrapped around it - google it for the detailed explanation |
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| The tops of the rocks are dished a little and you can walk out on them. They are a little uneven and Bob ended up taking a fall when he missed his footing. Nothing wounded but pride however! |
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| This set of columns are known as the "organ pipes" but some see a lion's face when you look above at some of the indents that could be eyes |
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| The tip of the peninsula has two large columns known as the giant's chimneys |
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| Bishop Hying enjoying the "Giant Sleeping" sign |
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| This rock is called the Giant's Shoe - supposedly he fled in such a hurry he lost his size 93 1/2 shoe |
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| Bob & Theresa at Giant's Causeway |
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| This beach was occupied - in November - by windsurfers (hopefully in wet suits)!!! |
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| These bicycle riders kept us behind them for about 10 minutes! The bus couldn't pass because of oncoming traffic. So we followed them at 10 mph until they finally pulled off! |
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| We arrived in Derry (or Londonderry, if you are a loyalist) for mass at St Malachy |
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| This delightful church is beautiful outside . . . |
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| . . . and inside |
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| This plaque commemorates the location of the altar used by St Malachy in the 6th century! |
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| St Malachy helped hold the church that Patrick formed together during trying times |
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| This statue of St Cecilia is a very good representation of the original in St Cecilia's in Trastevere (Rome) |
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| This statue of Jesus in the tomb is also very moving |
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| Having mass with the bishop is the high spot of every day! |
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| Then we were given a driving tour of Derry by Sorcha (Gaelic for Sarah) |
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| Derry was one of the most violence ridden cities in the 1970's & 80's |
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| This 13 year old girl was shot and killed during a demonstration. Her image was used to convince people peace must be sought. Her father came and sat & prayed before this image nearly every day until he died. |
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| The city walls still exist and we were to have walked them but decided it was not a good idea in the dark! |
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| The rubber duck greeted us in the piano bar, along with a statue of "Satchmo" - Louis Armstrong |
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| The rubber ducky was again in the bathroom - this one is emigrating to the US! |
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