Saturday 16th September

The weather was due to change around 11 o’clock so we knew we had to be up early to avoid the crowds and the rain, if we were to make the most of Carrick-A-Rede rope bridge experience. A National Trust location, meant our membership cards were useful again. We arrived at the location in Ballintoy, which was only a short journey along the Causeway Coastal route. A new timed ticket system is now in operation, and for the moment is not bookable online. Your ticket has an hour window in which to reach the bridge. Once on the island, you are welcome to spend as much time as you like there.

From the kiosk where you purchase your tickets, it is a 1 km walk to the rope bridge and over to Carrick Island. There are some steep steps down and back on the journey, so be prepared. Along the walk are some super views out to sea over Larrybane Bay and Sheep Island, as well as Rathlin Island. If you’re lucky you might even spot some basking sharks, dolphins or porpoises.

Ray took the challenge first, although for him it didn’t pose a problem. For me it was a lot more daunting. The metal steps down to the rope bridge were fairly steep and when the wind is whistling, you need to hold on to the handrails. A steward is located at the top of the stairs here and another on the other side of the bridge. Not that made me any less nervous. A limited number of people are allowed on the bridge at any one time.

The Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge is 20 metres long and is 30 metres above the rocks below. (If you look back through archive footage, you find it hard to believe that for 350 years, salmon fisherman, made this trip across to the island on far flimsier attempts at a rope bridge).   I didn’t even notice there were rocks below! My eyes were firmly fixed on the steward on the other side! I must admit it was exhilarating to make it to the other side.

After some time taking in the views from the island we queued to make the journey back across the bridge. This wasn’t quite so scary but had to be done to get back to the car park! I would have been okay, apart from some bright spark who thought it would be fun to bounce up and down behind me! He soon realised if he didn’t stop I wasn’t going anywhere!

Unfortunately, due to the rain, the coastal walk wasn’t possible so we made our way back to the car.

We did it!

Certificate Of Success

Saturday 16th September 2017

If you enjoy walking and getting away from it all, there are nine glens along the Antrim coast road, with woods, waterfalls, riverside paths, viewpoints and forest parks to enjoy. Our choice was Glenariff Forest Park (the fertile glen), as it boasted a unique waterfall walkway.

We set off from Ballintoy on the coastal route and hadn’t gone far when we spotted a viewing point, Portaneevey. We pulled into the car park and were rewarded with a great view back to Carrick-a-Rede bridge, Rathlin Island and in the  far distance, Mull of Kintyre.

We now had a choice, continue on the main coastal A2 route, or divert onto the Torr Scenic Route and follow the coast to Cushendun. We took the scenic route but knowing what we know now, I would definitely recommend that you think seriously before embarking on this route and read the web page InSite Tours Ireland

To say the drive was exhilarating was an understatement. I’m just glad that it was Ray driving. As well as the very narrow, winding roads, meeting a Dutch motorhome in the opposite direction was interesting, as was the numerous cars heading towards us at great speed, to a wedding venue which we had just past.

We were somewhat relieved when we finally saw the sweeping beach of Cushendun and the quaint row of Cornish-style cottages it is well known for. We pulled into the harbour area and were welcomed by a sculpture of Johann the goat, a larger than life past inhabitant of the village.

Johann the Goat

The village is now owned by the National Trust and boasts the Cushendun Caves which were used for one of the scenes of Game of Thrones.

Cushendun Village

Our next stop was Glenariff Forest Park. Today the car park charge had been waived, but we appeared to be one of only a handful of cars in the park? Maybe our expectations of this wonderful waterfall were misguided, although by now the rain was beginning to come down more steadily. (Perhaps that was the clue).

Not to be put off, we brought out the umbrellas and headed off on the waterfall trail. Yes it was cold. Yes it was a little wet underfoot and overhead, but as we made our way down through the forest gorge, we could hear the sound of rushing, pounding water.

Our final approach down some steps took us to a boardwalk and our first sight of a waterfall. We were definitely not disappointed. The waterfall was all the more spectacular, for the additional rainfall Ireland had been experiencing lately! The damp conditions in the river gorge is obviously an ideal environment for many exotic looking plants, which only add to the experience.

We felt like royalty. We didn’t encounter another sole as we followed the board walk and the river down to Manor Lodge restaurant, half way round the walk. As you reach this point, there is also another smaller, but lovely waterfall to admire.

The return to the car park, tea house and craft shop, was up a steep forestry track, which certainly tests your lung capacity! There are some well situated benches along the track, should you need to pause for a while, and when the weather allows, ideal spots to take in the lovely views. At times we were nearly climbing into the clouds!

Reaching the car park was a relief by now, as the waterproof jackets were creating a sauna effect for both of us! Maybe on a future visit we will get to enjoy the other trails in Glenariff Nature Reserve.