Why do I show you a picture of each spot I am at??? It is for those that plan to stay outside campings. So they know what to expect. And for those that plan a trip, you might be informed of some good spots.
What started off as a medicore day did get a great ending!
This morning there was rain. When I went into northern Ireland I could notice that this was a completely different country. Other roads and other signposting. Just the same as in Great Britain. I am used to that so that was less difficult. Only the roads were not as 'romantic'. They are efficient. Nevertheless I did manage to get on the wrong road sometimes. I have bought the Ordance Survey 1:250.000 maps. New versions. But sometimes they have towns on it that are just some houses. And there were even a few towns for real but not on the map. Also the indication of urban area around Belfast is made a bit to small... And while I am busy: They would have done a great job if you could read the numbers of the highways. After I noticed by the compass that I was on the wrong one, parked on a junction-roundabout I could finally make up the number of the highway I should have had. It was printed in blue, with a river of the same colour blue running straight trough it...
Also the fortified policestation (it looked like war could break out any minute), the depressing news on the radio (man killed, other one killed, other one burned in his house - I can't recall the name of the movie but it is the one made by Micheal Moore, if you've seen this you'll understand what I mean) and the show-off of flags. All of this did not make my mood set to happy.
But then it got somewhat better:
Front row seat on the ferry (remember the stuffed-deer's head from last year!)
I was taking the coastal road A2 to get some nice views. Since the weather was cloudy/rainy the views were not that great. When I left the ferry I also soon was on the wrong road. But this road had great views! (the A20 from Portaferry to Newtownards). The big Strandaford lough has tidal differences. This makes the 'coastline' worth a view. So taking the wrong road appeared not to be so bad this time!
Then I continued to Holywood to see the Ulster Folk and transport museum. The lonely planet already warned that you would need at least half a day to see everything. This is true and I only had 4 hours. And I am always very slow in a museum, usually I see some busloads coming and leaving. So I rushed trough the folk part. This was quite nice, they did rebuild entire parts of the city and rural area's. Actors were in place to tell you all about the buildings they were in. I also saw peat burining for the first time! (and the smell and smoke, you would not have liked to live in a city using peat for heating). I also saw the difference with coal (that almost has no smoke). And one of the actors was able to tell me the differences where what was used (and why they already had gas in Belfast).
The actor, 'living' in his house. Above him the gas meter.
After spending a bit more then one hour in the folk area, I went to the transport museum. I did see a transport museum to my liking a few days ago. This was a 'normal museum'. They did have some nice features. The most important was that the building was made up in such a way that you could see the machines also very well from above. Not bad for the steam locomotives and high double-deck busses. For most people this will be far better then my favorite.
They even did put in this Mondeo since it travelled from Europe to New-york... It still looked in perfect shape. Only the windshield was cracked. There was a hole in one of the headlights and there were some bumps in the engine hood. For the rest it looked better then any car I ever had. Not to mention the milage. 70.000 miles. My camper is close to 400.000 km!
The last hall was still to come. First take a look in the 'flight experience' section. This was really great for childeren (just like other parts of the museum). They did have some displays of how things worked. I even learned a thing: The skyvan (very well known skydiving plane) is Irish! I can;t recall the name of the maker, but it is 100% Irish!
The funniest thing I have ever seen to explain why a wing gives a plane lift.
And of course, save the best for last. The Titanic displays. It was small but impressive. There was a model of the sinking Titanic, including the people that were on it at the time. Also the light was real (it was in a darkened room, with only the lights off the sinking Titanic). Even the original design papers were on display.
Build in Ireland. Just like the Delorean (used in back to the future)
But as I already stated in the beginning: This day had a great ending. I was looking for scenic drives. The map showed a road that could be such: the minor road from Cushendun to Torr Head. There are some high gradients and tight corners, but it is a great road! The views are more then perfect. And at the end you are as close to Scotland as you can get!
Some views from close to where I am now.
