Day 4 - I can see Scotland from here

This is the scene we encountered

View from Ballycastle

Today we set off a-motoring to explore Antrim and its famous glens and to check out Warwick's mother's old stamping ground. It became obvious fairly quickly why Ann was attracted to the sunny climes of the antipodes. Did I mention the cold?

This is the scene we encountered

The countryside is spectacular. You almost expect to see Heathcliff come striding in. The old thatched cottages have all been replace by modern concrete or pebbledash places dating back to the post-war period butbthere are ruins of older places. I don't think Ann would recognise the place. She would be familiar with the snow and the tang of coal smoke in the air.

In the churchyard at Cloughmills Warwick had a spooky moment when we found the Smiley family grave and they had put his mother's name on the headstone along with her sisters.

We then drove along the coastroad from Ballycastle which is a port and important seaside resort.

Here is the view. the snowy waste to the left at back is Scotland. We drove along the coast looking out over the Irish Sea to our hotel, Ballygally Castle. It is right on the seafront and I daresay if you were completely deranged you could go for a dip. I left my cossie at home.

I was doing well despite the horrendous plane trip but I have now developed a bad cold - first one in months so I have been sitting up for a couple of hours trying to stop coughing. Hope it clears up soon.

Tomorrow we will set off for more family history - the Caseys at Lochquiel and seek out the fabled Glens.

On the way we skirted Belfast and saw directions to the Falls Road. It looked very uninviting and we won't be investigating further. I was surprised to see a couple of republican flags as we travelled.

More later