BALLYCASTLE

Great time great memories. And wonderful morning swims.

It’s taken me longer to write this post as I can’t decide how best to present this. There were so many things I want to describe and I know the photographs won’t do it justice. Our luck with the weather was once again, against us. The last time we went, we arrived a day after the heat wave. This time the heatwave came two days after we left.

We drove from Cork, stayed a night in Athlone and then up to Ballycastle. The first image you get of Ballycastle is on the road from Belfast just before you turn right. Fairhead in the photo above. I just love the magnificence of it.

The journey up was full of interesting landmarks, including ‘The Hedges’ made famous by Game of Thrones with accompanying photo-bomber! At this stage I was just looking forward to see my sister Fiona who was waiting at the bungalow so we did the touristy thing of jumping out and taking photos and driving off.

I realized when I was looking at all my photos that I have very few of people but that was because I think the craic was too good to interrupt it with photos. The piano was tuned while we were there and Fiona played us this lovely piece to test it.

Dierdre arrived and set up the fire outside. Nothing beats chilling by a real fire. The following day she got me up bright and early to join the swimmers. I must point out that the temperature of the water in Ballycastle is on average 53 F as compared to 82 F in Florida.

This eclectic, energetic, fun loving and truly amazing group of swimmers go swimming every day! Some were old friends I haven’t seen in years and others I hadn’t met but immediately felt like they were old friends. Its true that there is a fantastic dopamine rush from the cold and it sets you up for the rest of the day. I’m trying to continue this in Florida but swimming in the heat in a pool isn’t quite the same and I definitely miss the craic.

I thought I’d lost my jeans when I was changing but realized that I was looking for the wrong color. And Mary sang me this delightful little ditty which you can hear if you click on the audio.

I don’t know from the photo of Fiona if she is accusing or interrogating Mary but I do think that it doesn’t matter to Mary if there’s a camera around. They even have their own Banksy who leaves beautiful stones painted with different themes. I took a few home with me.

Rather than overload one post I’m saving the days out to Carrick a rede by land and by sea and sailing with pat and the Lammas fair for another couple of posts