Historic Places

I am hopeless at doing this blog thing. It seems by the time we write family letters my time is used up and we are off to other things, We really are having a good and busy time here. Our time teaching Institute and having activities with the young single adults and doing things to support the young Sister Missionaries and Elders has kept us busy.  Along with our usual responsibilities we spent a couple of weeks searching for a new flat for another set of missionaries coming to Belfast. That was an interesting experience as we learned a lot more about  neighborhoods we may or may not want a flat in. Through a miraculous coincidence we connected with a private owner who had a flat for rent in a nice area not far from the church. I know there was divine help in that one.

This Saturday we joined the Beehive and Deacon activity that included a hike through Cave Hill park and around Belfast Castle.

Hiking along the trail

The Beehives in our group.

We have had a few fun P-day adventures. Last Wednesday had a fun trip up Dark Hedges, a road lined by large Beech trees planted hundreds of years ago to enhance the entrance to an estate. They have now grown to cover the road, which is still used.  It is one of the most photographed locations in Northern Ireland.

We then continued on to Carrick-a-Rede bridge which is a rope bridge spanning a gorge between the main land and a little island, originally used by fisherman. Unfortunately it was a very windy day and the bridge was closed due to safety concerns. We enjoyed the beautiful seascapes and had an invigorating walk in the fall weather.

The view from the car park looking North toward Rankin Island.

The shoreline looking West from the car park.

The shoreline looking East from the car park. The bridge crosses from the outcropping to the little islands.

Storms kept rolling in off the Atlantic

The bridge as seen through the locked entrance gate.

The bridge as seen from the trail.

Cliffs along side the trail

Panoramic view of the bridge.

With Sister Galbraith and Sister Moore.

Shoreline as seen from the trail

Sheep on the hillsides along the shore.

A resting bench.

Along with the bridge we explored Dunluce castle where we peaked back into the past as it was the setting of ancient drama. The rock walls whispered of past battles and the wind though the grand cobbled-floor rooms carried the sound of pipes and harps and laughter of lords and ladies. Below shadows of servants roasted pigs in the grand ovens and the air carried scent of fresh bread from the bakery. There was even a tower where a fair maiden had plunged to her death rather than be separated from her true love. I love Ireland’s historic places!

Note the dates.  This place is old.

Maybe some relatives of Kelvin.

Entering the courtyard.  This is before the drawbridge and the actual Castle.  This is where "guests" would have stayed.

Crossing the drawbridge to the castle.

The views through the doors and windows were amazing.

The floors were cobbled. 

We could see Giants Causeway through this window.

Amazing shoreline.

Another damsel in the tower.

Going down the stairs from the tower.

The tower and cliff.

Some views of the castle.