Back home in Ballycastle and Belfast.

We had a beautiful day for a boat trip around Ballycastle. This is the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, which was originally used only by local fishermen. In the summer, they would throw up a simple rope bridge to reach the Bothy on the island. Back then, it wasn’t reinforced like it is today—it had just a single rope on one side for support. I remember how terrifying it was to cross! My mother once told me about a girl who got so frightened halfway across, she sat down in the middle and couldn’t move.

It is such a delight meeting with family and friends and conversations are just picked up where we left off.

It’s the Lammas Fair in Ballycastle just now. The oldest fair in Ireland and the place is heaving! Much as I love the fair and all the characters its a bit too busy I had a lovely day in Portstewart with Siobhan just walking the Nun’s walk and shooting the breeze. On our way there we dropped into Ballintoy to see my favorite church of all time. The church was open and the gold chalice there for the taking. I love the honesty of the place. Why is it Graveyards have all the best views?

There are fairee rings still around although I remember much more. They are ancient graves of druids dating BC. Many of therm survive because the fairies will curse you if you dare to cut the tree down.

Spent a lovely day in Belfast. Dierdre took me kayaking and we went to see the inimitable Imelda May in her show about Kathleen Beehan (famous Irish mother of the rebellion 1920s ). We had a drink in the Crown bar, still the same as it was in 1800s. even with bells in the booths and as you can see the letters on top that was how the bar staff knew which booth was calling.

Beautiful butterflies and natural life everywhere.