County Antrim and Carnlough

We left Belfast for the coast of County Antrim, arriving in the village of Carnlough (from the Irish Carnlach, which means Place of Cairns) late afternoon.  Dropping our luggage at the hotel, we set off on the first of many hikes/walks we were to take during the next twelve days.

A view from above of the main street in Carnlough (Vagatron hiding in the lower corner:)

On the walk up to Cranny Falls, one of the many scenic treats Sean would subject us to over the next several days, wet got our first real introduction to the many shades of Ireland, the Emerald Isle.

We would see many abandoned homes during our travels.

Another abandoned home on right and the North Channel in the distance.

This young lady is happy to hiking in Northern Ireland.

Cranny Falls, and a stream flowing from the falls.

 Walking back through the village of Carnlough, we saw a reminder  of the Troubles:

The IRA political wing is very much a part of Northern Ireland politics.  Here is their local office.

We spent the night in Carnlough at the Londonderry Arms Hotel, an historical old place with loads of charm.  

The Arms was once owned by Winston Churchill through inheritance.  http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Londonderry-Arms-Hotel-Carnlough-Ballymena-P3958  Getting to our rooms that night was interesting, first a tiny elevator up one floor, down a corridor, up three steps, further down the corridor, down three steps, turn a corner, up three steps through a door, then down seven steps to our room, which was back on the ground floor.  Had I been able to open the window completely the next morning, I would have put our suitcases out the window rather than back through the serpentine hallway.  Very pleasant room nonetheless.

The dinner was very good and in a very pleasant environment.  The group having dinner: 

Sean, our guide and leader is the young man standing at the end of the table.  Yours truly took the picture so you miss the pleasure of my image.  The beer belonged to Sean by the way.

 After a restful night, Gina and I set out for a early walk around the little town before loading up in the Vagatron.  We didn’t have long as slavedriver Sean would have us loaded up by 9 AM most mornings, sometimes even before.  Gina in front of the North Channel:

Carnlough has a pretty little harbor, originally built by the owners of nearby quarries.  It is now used for pleasure boating and fishing.

Signal lights in the harbor:

Old building with two doors:

Sunrise between the buildings:

 

 Carnlough was a neat little village, a great way to start our tour of the countryside of Ireland.  After a good Irish breakfast, Sean loaded us up and off we went for a new day’s adventures.  Of course, because we were on Vagabond Adventure Tours of Ireland.