OMG!

We left the ferry port at Belfast and quickly stopped to fuel up, slightly perturbed by the chap smoking on the forecourt!

Navigating through the Belfast suburbs, we were soon joining the coast road. Boy, what a stretch of road this is. We were blessed that the weather was dry and sunny, giving me, not sure about the others, the chance to do the road justice. The road surface was very good. The nature of the road itself, just fantastic, as it hugs the coast, sharing every twist and turn of this craggy but very beautiful coastline. Some long sweeping open bends around the bay, to tight twisty bits high up on the cliff face, make this a must do ride for any biker. I loved it.

All too soon though the magic was over and we arrived in Ballintoy, The Fullerton Arms welcoming us with it's large car park. Inside a young lad showed us to our rooms. These were very large with plenty of floor space for all our gear. I was sleeping with Grizzly again tonight, separate beds mind, even though I had a double. The room, in fact the whole upper floor, was roasting hot. It was as if they had been taken by surprise with the lovely weather. And lovely it was.

A quick wash (Jesus that water was hot) and we were off up the road to the Carrick-a Rede rope bridge. Only about 800m away, we had a gentle uphill stroll to get to the pay booths but it then at least another 1km to the bridge itself, along the cliff path. A sign said there was a 15 minute wait to cross the bridge. In the event we waited no more than 5, before stepping onto the 10m rope and plank crossing, swaying as we walked above the 35m drop to the sea and rocks below. There's little see or do the other side, except watch the seabirds, Fulmars in this case, and take a few scenic photos, so we weren't long before we were in the queue to cross back. A refreshing pint beckoned! As we crossed back over, Biggsey and I proved just how tough bikers are, by walking across without holding the hand ropes. COME ON!

After a swift pint back at The Fullerton and a feeble attempt to chat up some American women (what is it about Biggsey and yanks?) we mosied across the road to the Carrick-a Rede Restaurant for dinner. Back in The Fullerton there was a rematch of the Ireland v England darts match. This time though, I'm afraid, the paddy got the better of me. Then it was time for bed. It had been a very long day. I attempted to update the blog before my eyelids got too heavy. I thought I'd succeeded but strangely that never got published. 

The Fullerton Arms, Ballintoy

Dudley on the rope bridge