A beautiful day

Today was the kind of day I was really looking forward to. We left Bangor and are now working our way around the eastern and northern coast of Northern Ireland, following the coast road. We stopped for a 30 minute visit in Carrikfergus Castle not far out of Belfast but we were anxious to get up the coast.

The coastal road wound us through the Irish countryside we hoped for - lush green fields with dark green checkerboard hedges, spots of sheep on most of the hillsides, and bright blue ocean waters on the other side.

Our highlight today was a three-mile walk in the Glens of Antrim - this one in Glenariff Forest Park. This is one of the most beautiful valleys we've ever seen and the walk, while straight down for a 1 1/2 miles and then zig zig back up, was gorgeous. A tea-coloured waterfall, evidence of the boggy land around, greeted us at the bottom. 

We are staying in Ballycastle at a B&B for one night and setting off early in the am to beat the tour buses lined up ready to take crowds of people to the Giant's Causeway. 

Tea-coloured waterfall

Fog bank disappeared shortly after

Glenariff