I woke up with sheep gaurding my camper
And again one with my camper clearly visible. You may notice the blocks under the right wheel (left in the picture). I use these to get it level as much as possible.
Today was a day outside. I have seen lot's of nice landscapes and I am getting afraid that the 8 days I have left could as well be 8 weeks to fully enjoy everything.
The day started with nice weather. My dutch neighbours on the parking place I used to spend the night were already gone. I first finished by having fried eggs for breakfast and do the dishes. Then I went towards the giant causeway. Northern Ireland's touristic attraction number 1.
When I was 11km away from it I passed the sign for the 'rope-bridge'. I did not expect this to be the best of all sites to visit, but it is at least one of the things you must have seen. So I turned into this road and went there. It was as I expected, a nice scenery, a bit-but-not-to-much-wobbely 'rope' bridge. (I put the rope between quotes since the main parts are made by steel cables). There were some nice views and it could keep me for about 2 hours. (That's more then I expected in the beginning). Among the many tourists there was also a family from scotland. I made a picture of them crossing the bridge and that's how I got into contact with them (for sending the picture when I get back).
At that time it was still dry, but it became clear that it wouldn't be for long. Anyhow I went to see to causeway. When I arrived there I saw car's parked along the road. So I thought it would be very busy. I also saw a sign for a heritage railway and since I saw so many steam engines already, but none in action, I turned at the sign. Indeed it was a steam locomotive, the wagons were closed and I could read something -bla bla bla giant causeway bla bla bla-. So I assummed that this railway would pass the giant causeway. Since there was also rain coming, I bought a ticket and got in. When I read the ticket, I saw it was going from where I was to the nearest town and back. Not completly what I had in mind but let's support the effort of the keeping this line in operation. On the way back I was able to slip into the frontmost wagon so I could see the locomtive in action and see the person operating it. He was just as characteristic as the locomotive itself. He was about 2m tall, hands the size as a coal shovel and thick glasses. I took some photo's on film so you'll see what I mean. During the trip there was no rain, but when I came back and was trying to get a great photo where he and the locomotive were on, the clouds bursted open. I think I just made a nice photo (using the flash). Since it didn't look like it would stop raining I went further a few hundred meters to go to the giant causeway.
Altough there were lot's of cars parked already outside I still went for the main gate. There was plenty of space inside. The only 'problem' was that you had to pay 5 pound to get in. I don't mind paying that when it means that sites like this are open to the public (and with this kind of quality). I will not spend my time talking about the history and the tale behind this place, probably it will be on the net already a number of times. But I can tell that the place is sureley worth a visit (it attracts 400.000 visitors each year). There is a lot of well presented information, there are perfect paths in different lengths and the views are great. When I arrived, people were leaving, soaked by the cloudburst. It was still drizzling so I went to see the visitor centre. When I was ready for going there myself, the rain was still falling and it didn't look like it would stop either. So I went back to the camper for my 'rain-outfit'. (During the years I have collected some very high quality rain clothing, gore-tex based). While I went in, I only saw other people leaving. So instead of being crowded the place was alomst empty. I stayed for about 4 hours, made lot's of pictures (since it was raining I left my 70-200mm lens 'at home'). I also met Ian (www.ian-middleton.co.uk). He is a travel writer that writes about legends and tales around the UK and Ireland. He also travels around in a camper so we had a lot to talk about.
The views were great. Since it was raining, the place was almost empty instead of crowlded with other people.
Some of the views from the upper path
When I was down I recalled a tip I once read. When it is raining, you can also use it in your photo! Also made some like these on film ofcourse.
Talking with Ian opened my eyes for the tale as well as for the geological views. Accoarding to the tale, all this was a bridge to scotland. Build by a giant living in Ireland. In scotland was another giant and the giant in Ireland wanted to fight with him, so he build a bridge. When the giant from scotland came, he was much bigger then the Irish giant expected. So his wife dressed him up like a baby. When the scottisch giant arrived, the wife told him that the giant was hunting. Only their baby was at home. When the scottisch giant saw the size of the baby he got so afraid (the Irish giant must be huge then). So when he ran back, he also destroyed the brige so the Irish giant could not get to him. This photo shows clearly that all of this was part of a road/bridge. Also the fact that the same structures can be found on a scottisch island close to here prove that the story is true!
I already didn't mind paying when I entered, but if you read something like this, it is even harder to understand why some people park outside...
Appearently parking here for the night is not a problem. At the time I was writing this, a policecar was here already twice just patrolling. It was very clear that I will stay here for the night and I didn't get any comments. The reason that I stay here is not that I am not willing to pay for a camp-site (altough I do not like to pay 11 euro just for some facilities I do not need at all), also not for the views. I hope that tommorrow-morning the sun will shine so I can get some sun-shined pictures as well. That's also the reason why I'll go to bed now!
