We arrive in Bushmill without much trouble by following Michele’s directions.  Craig Park B & B is gorgeous.comfortable and well worth the trouble of finding it.  Our only problem is that they have ruined our ever appreciating another B & B again.  We loved CRAIG PARK.  We could have spent our entire time with them and the coast of Northern Irleand.  It is mesmerizing.  You should def. stay with here..our favorite stop of both trips to Ireland. We instantly bonded with David and Jan Cheal.  They are English and treat us like we are King and Queen of the Castle.  Their favorite statement to us is “What is your greatest need?”  When they hear the answer, they go about fulfilling that need for you.  We spent the first night sitting in their family room sipping hot tea and visiting.  Soon, we also met their other guests.  Don and Joan & Peter and Carol..all from England.  We sat for the next couple of hours and talked, laughed, told jokes and had a wonderful time. 

Monday morning began with an enormous ULSTER FRY or traditional Irish breakfast.  It was wonderful and we had a great time visiting with our English friends discussing the differences in our phraseologys.  After breakfast, we head off ....  The first thing we did was head to the coast: Portrush, The Giants Causeway, and beaches, mountains and cliffs.  Absolutely beautiful.  I did have a disturbing experience at the Causeway.  We were climbing the Basalt Columns and Randy wanted me to get out closer to the boiling water so he could get a picture.  As I stood out on this penninsula a huge wave hit the side of the wall and popped some 15 to 20 ft. in the air.  It came down right on top of me and filled the whole area I was standing in with water.  I was SO scared and started running.  I couldn’t see behind me so I didn’t know if this was the last wave to come in.  I was told later that several times people have gotten swept away because of the force of the water.  I was very lucky and God was watching out for me.  Of course, I was soaked ….as I only have 2 pairs of pants and my shoes were soaked...I had to go home and do wash again.

The next day we wake up to ‘soft weather’ and high winds.  Our first stop was the Carrick—a –rede Rope bridge.  It is a long walk but beautiful walk to the bridge (we watched dolphins swim as we walked the path to the bridge) and with it being so windy..it was a rush walking across the bride.  Wow!  After a long visit there we head down the coast through the ‘Glens of Antrim’...actually 9 different valleys.  It was gorgeous.  We love meandering around and exploring little roads and old buildings so we venture down a narrow road to what looks like an old building high on a hill.  It turns out we have found “Torr Head” and an old coast guard station.  It is quite a climb to the top but we manage.  WHAT A VIEW!  We are exactly 12 miles from Scotland at that moment and can clearly see the Scottish Coast Line.  TORR HEAD WILL FOREVER BE IN OUR MINDS and was a highlight of our trip!  Randy had to pass a farm truck on it's narrow roads..I applauded as ....I AM NOT KIDDING..there was only 2 inches between us and the truck and 2 inches between us and the rock wall!!!

The best part of Ireland are the things that are unexpected.  At every turn something pops up that is little known or very unique.  We love that.

We spend time each night drinking tea and visiting with Jan and David.  We have much in common.  The once lived in Fort Wayne and have relatives in Ankeny where my husband grew up.  I was beginning to think David was making it up

Finally, we must leave Jan and David and we are sorry to go.  Jan looks sad as we leave and stands in the door to wave as we drive away.  We would have been happy to stay longer but we must move on.  They will be forever friends!

It was a nice day of driving but we were very tired by the time we were ready to find a place to stay.  After staying at Jan and Davids, nothing seemed good enough and everything seemed ominous.  We finally find a hotel in Managh (?)  Hotels are very expensive but we were glad to have a king size bed to sleep in.  We also had a living room and a dining room table.  It was so late we couldn’t find anywhere to eat so we ate junk food that night from the convenience store across the street.

TIP:  don't wait too late to find a room..start early as Michele advises.

Thursday, September 15—Sunday, September 18

As I have forgotten to journal...the last days are running together….  I will list the highlights of our last days in Ireland…

· an old monastary we found out in a bog field.  From the 12th century…

· High cross from 9th century in an old cemetery near an old church from the 11th century

· Loop head and it’s: cliff fishing, cliffs, tide pools and rocks, beauty, beauty, beauty, naked old men swimming

dont' miss LOOP HEAD..we'll def. go back.  I would skip Cliff's of Mohr (too touristy) and go to Loop Head.  You will see the same beautiful cliffs but do it on your own time and it's free!  Get a picnic lunch and sit on the cliffs.  We visited with fisherman ..fishing off a cliff with a deep drop-off and saw a horse race on the beach...

· Franciscan friary at the end of the Ring of Kerry

· Ferry ride from Killimer

· Peri-winkles & Dillisk

· Meeting interesting people: ‘Podrig’, Don, David and Jan, young man who had interpreted for the US in Kosovo, many other nice Irish people

We're headed back with some friends for late summer 2007 for trip number 3...can't get enough of Ireland.  The problem is...where do we take them??  We've been all over the Island now....how hum!!