We began the day with a lovely coastal drive along the Irish Sea. The sun was coming up all the while the rain was falling (see photo of rainbow). We stopped at a spot along the coast known as “Bloody Bridge,” the bridge is the spot where the British executed and threw 50 IRA fighters off the bridge into the sea in 1934. The wind coming off the sea felt like ice bullets slicing through my heavy wool coat. There were several people walking dogs along the cliffs, the owners seemed impervious to the cold, all the while the dogs appeared to be wishing for a sudden death. (Picture “Toto” walking along a step cliff with 40 mile an hour winds blowing).
We stopped for lunch in the small seaside town of Newcastle, County Down. Northern Ireland consists of six northern counties with their allegiance still with Great Britain. (Awkward) Mom finally found a bowl of Irish stew and we all gazed at the sea throughout lunch. On the drive to the next B&B just outside of Belfast, we came across an IRA sign “No Surrender” (see photos).
As we made our way north there were many British flags displayed on power poles. They were tattered and suffering under the power of the winds, however, their obvious purpose, defiance, was not lessoned by their appearance. If nothing, they represented the stubbornness of the north to not allow a unified Ireland. They were, I must say, a pretty powerful sight.
We checked into our haunted house, I mean B&B that overlooks the sea. It is old, big and looks like something from a horror movie for sure. (See photo). We ate fish and chips and drank our first Guinness with dinner.
Tomorrow we will see all the political spots in Belfast. We spend two days here and then head up north to The Devil’s Causeway and the invincible town of Derry.
Hello to everyone and love to my kids and husband
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