September 2023 - Day 1
We'd chatted about it for a while now and it had finally been planned and booked, Jo and I, Mum and my sister were going to spend a week in Northern Ireland and we booked a weekend in Portrush followed by a few days near Whitehead to visit family in the area.
We set off on the 22nd, drove down to Cairnryan and the P&O terminal for a 4pm sailing of 2 hours then a short drive from Larne to Portrush.
We stopped off in Girvan on the way down for a bite to eat and got a really pleasant surprise at the great service and good food in the Vaults Kitchen I'd recommend stopping by if you're in the area. The drive down the coast is stunning if not a wee bit twisty and hilly for some and there are a few sites to be seen en-route, I feel another trip coming on.
It was a blustery day for the sailing and got a bit bumpy on the way across but nothing to get upset about but I'd left the cameras in the car and you're not allowed below decks again once the ferry has sailed so, phone pics it was!
Corsewall Point Lighthouse
Looking back at the coast of Scotland
Corsewall Point Lighthouse & spray rainbow
Ailsa Craig at the rainbows end
Looking towards the Irish coast
I think you can see in the shots above that the sea state changed the further out into the Irish Sea we travelled, a well known rough crossing once the lee of the land is cleared but not bad at all today.
Arriving in Larne in good time we headed straight up the road to Portrush and our first B&B.
It was cold and getting dark when we arrived so, heating on and cozy in for the night, tomorrow's another day.
We had lived in "Norn Irn" in the past, in various places so we all had memories of different areas, apart from Jo for whom this was her first visit.
Being a family holiday, I had brought a couple of cameras and lenses but didn't intend to spend too much time out birding, more scenery and family shots.
Saturday morning and we were up reasonably early and off out for a wander and explore. A bit chilly and overcast initially, the day turned out bright and sunny for a while so we spent quite a while roaming the town and out onto the East beach where there were lots of walkers, surfers and swimmers around.
East beach at Portrush looking towards the Giant's causeway
We had a bacon butty in the Arcadia cafe before heading out onto the beach for a stroll.
East beach at Portrush looking towards the Giant's causeway
I loved the broiling sky above the sea and white horses on the waves, quite a lot of people were swimming all around the coast. There seemed to be a surfing class going on and the lifeguards were there on patrol keeping an eye on everyone.
Surf's up
Scotland is visible from most of this Northern coast of Ireland and the Mull of Kintyre was hazy on the horizon today.
Gannet takeoff and the Mull of Kintyre
We walked along the beach, almost to White Rocks beach and back again, back into town to find food for the evening. The children's play area above the beach caught my eye, there are attractive round portholes in the concrete wall surrounding the area and as I walked in, it was empty at the time, a Hooded Crow was drinking in one of the paddling pools.
Hooded Crow having a dip
Shell window under the climbing frame
Through the shell to the shore beyond
The Arcadia cafe next to the play area looks like an original art deco building still in use today as a cafe and gallery upstairs.
Arcade Cafe and beach
Arcade Cafe and swimmer
There were quite a few people coming and going from the small bay in front of the cafe, swimming a while, then heading off or up for a cuppa and a sarnie.
The galley upstairs in the Arcadia
Through the round window
Over on an old pier stood salmon fishery buildings and an old rusted crane, some of the buildings are now rentable for holidays.
Last lift
Salmon fisheries pier, Skerries and beach
We had a lovely day all told and walked 7 miles into the bargain, home to decide what's for dinner.
