Up early today to catch the Paddy Wagon to Belfast and a tour of the north. We
started with a quick tour of the city then off to Carrick-a-Rede, a rope bridge 30m above the sea. It was used by fishermen to reach a small island where they fished salmon. Rick Steves reccommended a visit so who am I to say no.We then headed for the Giant's Causeway, home of the legendary Irish Giant, Finn McCool. On the way we encountered an icy hill where our driver, Wee Paul, proceeded to spin out and land in a hedge. A Danish gentleman and I offered to help so we got off the bus to assess the situation. I found a pile of grit ( sand) on the side of the road so we got everyone off the bus and we sanded the area around the wheels. We had to work hard to convince Wee Paul that he couldn't go uphill with his wheels turned and that it would be better to back down the hill to a bare spot and make a run for it. So here we were, directing two Phillipino girls, three French teenagers, two South Korean girls and an Aussie to take handfuls of wet sand and throw it on the ice. There was lots of giggling but we soon had the job done and Wee Paul made it to the top. We got to the causeway in time for lunch where we enjoyed Steak and Guiness Pie.
The last stop was in Londonderry or Derry, depending on your religion, where we heard a brief history of "The Troubles" and Bloody Sunday. I didn't get any pictures because busses are not permitted to stop there.
Tomorrow I am off to Manchester
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