Giant’s Causeway, Bushmills Distillery, Carrick-a-Rede then Ballycastle - 23 May 2023

23 May 2023 - Giant’s Causeway, tour of Old Bushmills Distillery, look at Carrick-A-Redy rope bridge & Ballycastle

As we had caught up on Magpie Murders, we were looking for something else to download - have started on Ten Pound Poms - not sure how that will end!

Up and at it early (well, for us!). Today was a cycle ride to see the Giant’s Causeway. Similar set up to the Cliffs of Moher, if you’re not parking, then you don’t pay to visit.

Was a good cycle, mainly next to railway line, right alongside the beach - about 2-1/2 miles each way.

So, this five mile stretch of coastline along the Antrim coast is famous for its bizarre basalt columns. There are about 40,000 hexagonal pillars which stick up at various heights.

Geologists claim it was formed by volcanic eruptions more than 60 million years ago. As the surface of the lava flow quickly cooled, it contracted and crystallized into columns. As the rock later settled and eroded, the columns broke off into the many stair like steps that now honeycomb the coast.

A much better version is that it was made by a giant! An Ulster warrior named Finn MacCool knew of a rival giant living across the water in Scotland. Finn built a stone bridge over to Scotland to spy on his rival and found the Scottish giant was much bigger. He retreated to Ireland, and had his wife dress him as a sleeping infant, just in time for the rival giant to come across the causeway to spy on Finn. The rival, shocked at the infant’s size, fled back to Scotland. Finn then knocked down the bridge. Proof of this exists in the geological formation that extends undersea and surfaces in Scotland at the island of Staffa 😊

Decided to do the mid-level loop, up to Weir’s Snout with good look out points, down the Shepherd’s steps and onto the towering basaltic pipes of the Organ.

From there a quick walk to the headland - lovely pinky red rocks.

Then down for a quick pose on the 6 foot Giant’s Boot!

Had a great time walking all over the stones. The Atlantic was at its best - nearly high tide, not much wind - but a huge swell.

Chatted with a person there for our safety (!) he said they get about 9,000 visitors a day in the summer! We’d gone early, glad we did - by 11am it was getting busy with coach loads of people being dropped off.

Tintin stood quite close to the water, trying to get a video of the waves - thought he’d get wet at one point, but somehow the waves seem to dissipate…

Apparently the reason for the three causeways was the giant was just practicing on the first two!

We are certain that we saw a pine martin! It poked its head from under a bush, then scurried away - but no doubt! Tried to see it in the bushes, but couldn’t. How lovely - apparently they’re quite rare to see.

Can you make out the camel shaped rock?! Also, do you think the whole carpark is paved with hexagonal stones for a reason?

Had to stop on my bike on the way back to take a picture of the sheep ‘sitting’ - as it made me smile 😊

First King Charles III flag we’ve seen - was flapping in the breeze too much.

After having tried to make videos and having too much wind noise, Tintin finally found his muffler!

We rode to the Bushmills Distillery, and booked a tour for 14.15 - then back to Dave for lunch. Neither of us like whiskey, but thought it would be an interesting tour anyway. Was £27 - £3 discount for the older one!

It claims to be the oldest distillery in the world. King James I granted Bushmills its license to distill “Aqua Vitae” in 1608, although whiskey has been made here since the 13th century.

Our tour guide - an American called Joe - made it very clear that no photos were allowed. I’ve taken photos of the process for anyone who is interested. He did labour the point that Irish whiskey is triple distilled, and therefore smoother than Scotch whisky, only distilled twice! Note the different spelling of whiskey/whisky depending on where it’s produced!

The company are investing huge amounts of money, building more and doubling the capacity. At the moment they’re producing 36,000 bottles per day. They have 250,000 casks in storage for the aging process. The actual making only takes about 4-5 days. They buy four different types of used barrels (port, sherry, bourbon and madeira). After about 30 years of use, the barrels are sold off to garden centres. The smell didn’t do it for me! The distillation area was like a sauna - and we could inhale the ‘angel’s share’. They lose up to 50% in evaporation.

The place must be significant - it appears on the £5 note, one of which I have!

Then onto the tasting. We both had the 12 year old single malt distillery reserve. Even with a lump of ice - I’m not a fan! It’s one of those drinks that make you feel like a fire breathing dragon when you breathe through your nose! We bypassed the gift shop!

Our first proper conversation with a NI person! A friendly coach driver came over to ask about our bikes, and we got chatting. And we managed to understand his accent 🙂

Couldn’t decide whether to stay or go - in the end, was only about 40 minutes drive, so Tintin at the wheel.

I’d wanted to see the Carrick-A-Rede rope bridge. It’s a 20m long rope bridge which crosses a dramatic drop into the Atlantic Ocean and connects Carrick-A-Rede with the mainland. Only 8 people are allowed on the bridge at one time, and you have to pre-book - I was happy to just see it!

Beautiful views of the bridge, nearby Rathlin island, and the not so distant Island of Mull in Scotland.

From there, a quick drive to Ballycastle. Tried to park down by the harbour, but didn’t feel right, so moved to a nice flat space with a few other mohos near a sports centre.

It’s another evening when the best of the weather has been later in the day. Another very pleasant day. The scenery along this coastline is beautiful, seems really green and lush! I know - because of too much rain!