Talking to the Beeb / Off to the Antrim Coast

So I haven't been blogging for a few days now, been off to the mainland for a bit of sightseeing, and after that, too busy with the May Bank Holiday Weekend to be able to send things over the internet (we only have a good signal at the lighthouse or in the Church Bay).

Catch up with me now!

26 April

The ravens exercise their wings on the nest and the most adventurous one starts using the rock next to the nest to practice running and flapping, as for a take-off. Quite exciting to follow.

the ravens

The two peregrines sit together for a while on their usual spot on the opposite clifftop. And there are quite a lot of puffins, some of them in pairs popping in and out of the burrows. So it finally looks like they will be getting down to business.

It turns out a beautiful afternoon, the wind settling down to a mild breeze.

In the evening, brilliant blue sky and warm sunshine. Matt and I run the Kinramer north track, which is quite a challenge, but gives beautiful views across the sea. At night the stars are out, but I am too tired to go and look at them.

27 April

The guillemots are back! And so is the wind. In the afternoon it turns very cold on the platform. Not that many people come over.

We are kept busy by the BBC Newsline crew, who want to talk to us, volunteers, about our experiences. And we point birds out to them and help them get good shots. At the beginning of the afternoon, my German friend Jan turns up with his camera. Later, we all have dinner at the cottage, and after that we go to the pub and enjoy the music.

Jan and me on the viewing platform

Matt and Jan, talking cameras

Penny and Lesley

Music at McCuaig's Bar

28 and 29 April

Two days off. With Jan I leave on the 10 am ferry. As the regular ferry is out, a private boat operates as such. It is the Aquaholics boat that I saw off Doon Bay, with a group of divers. There is a rainbow over the island.

We collect the car and start off on our sightseeing trip around the Antrim coast: Glenariff with the waterfalls, and on up along the coast past Cushendall (where we have a late lunch or early tea with burgers) and Cushenden, Torr Head, from where we can see Rathlin. 

We check into our B&B at Ballycastle and then head to the west to take photos of the sunset.  It’s a pleasant coast of limestone rock with some waves coming in every now and then, that crash up through hidden holes and crevices. Towards 9 PM, across the sea, we can see the West lighthouse lighting up.

Next morning, some yoga in the garden and then a great breakfast.

Then we go out to explore the coast to the west of Ballycastle. First Dunseverick, the ruins of a fortress from the Kingdom of Dalriada. It was taken by the Scots. 

On to the Giant’s Causeway, which I approach by the trail on the cliff above.

After that, the magnificent castle of Dunluce, that had its heyday in the 17th century. 

After tea in Thyme & Co at Ballycastle, I get some shopping and then say goodbye to Jan and get back to Rathlin. Black guillemots and eiders in the harbour. It’s lovely to be back on the island. As the weather is very nice, I go out to run the Kinramer South trail. After mainly sitting in a car for two days, with just the odd bit of walking, it’s great to exercise again!