Cushendun

We left the last blog leaving Dublin and driving to Cushendun.

We’d booked a massive old country house for a week in the beautiful historical village of Cushendun in the Glens of Antrim. For the next few days friends and family would descend, congregate and stay with us and be together. For those wishing to stay at this amazing location here is the link.

The drive to Cushendun took is along the Antrim Coast which is recognised as one of the most scenic drives in the world. I could do an entire blog on this drive alone however, here is an arch you go through on the way.

The first night we just settled in. Glendun Lodge had a big record collection and a record deck. We had such fun playing old vinyl records Jenni and I vowed to get one for our home.

For the first time in many years all of my kids and grandkids and a few of my longest and dearest friends would be in the same place at the same time. It’s just not possible for me to describe how much the next 5 days meant to me, so here are some mutterings and pictures.

My oldest friends Ken and Julie came to stay with us Friday night, and the entire Wallace clan were due Saturday night. We needed some provisions so we drove to Ballymena over one of the most scenic roads in Ireland to a fresh fruit and veg place.

Friday night and Ken and Julie came to stay. The night was crackin’ and was so good to catch up. We had a late night, much drink was consumed and all the worlds troubles were put to rights. I have no pics of us all together that night but here is one of Ken and us on Cushendun beach the next day.

James, Chris and Becky and all grandkids and partners were coming for the big family dinner party next night. Jenni designed and prepared a fabulous feast, Becky (and John) assisted in the preparation.

The dinner was amazing and the night was a blast.

Later we cleared away the tables and had a show. In Raye and Jayda’s room there was a dress up box. All the kids had a go, even some of the grown up ones.

Glendun Lodge & Cushendun

So..apparently Game of Thrones is a big tourist draw to Norhtern Ireland. Some scenes were filmed in Cushendun.

We set out one day to find the caves where the Red Witch scenes were filmed.

Game of Thrones – Cushendun

Some enterpring local manufactured a “throne” out of an old armchair and some star pickets painted silver. Of course we posed one it.

Laragh Lodge and Glenariff Forest

It may be 11,700 years ago, just after the last ice age that I discovered the Laragh Lodge. It is in a stunning location and I love this place and wanted to take Jenni for lunch while we were in the area as it’s not far from Cushendun.

This is the history of the place from their web site, I may have got he dates wrong.

Built many years ago to serve as a tea house, the Laragh Lodge takes full advantage of our exquisite backdrop as it’s situated beside the ‘Ess-Na-Grub’ and ‘Ess-Na-Laragh’ waterfall; from which the restaurant gets its name.

The restaurant is situated on the edge of Glenariff Forest Park and is a perfect starting point for some of the walks the park has to offer.

This day Jenni, Becky and her friend Becca went for lunch before we went for a short walk around the “Waterfall Walk”.

I did manage to get to Mary McBrides pub in the village. One of the smallest pubs in Ireland and home to one of the Door Of Thrones Doors.

All good things must come to an end and we had to leave Cushendun. We were due to spend 3 nights in Belfast before our Scotland trip. We ended up cutting it short but still packed a lot in.

Belfast

I’d arranged a night out in Belfast. Chris came to join lifelong friends Ken and Roy for a night out. You may remember Ken from Cushendun. It was so good to catch up with Roy on this trip too.

The next day we met up with another long time friend Ian who is an accomplished photographer and who was going to show us where we could find the elusive Kingfisher so I could try and get a picture. I had carted my camera and birding lens all the way from Oz just for this opportunity. Ian delivered and we got the sighting and I got the pic.

Later that evening we went into Belfast with Ian and his wife Lynn for dinner and then to Ian’s favourite Belfast pub Bittles Bar afterwards.

Our plans after Belfast were for us to go and visit friends Jenny and Andy in Scotland. We were supposed to stay another night in Belfast before going to Scotland but we decided at the last minute to leave and go a day earlier and stay in a castle instead.

I’ll end this blog now and keep that trip for the next one. Meanwhile here is glimpse.

Till next time.