Saturday May 4th

After the big day on Friday there wasn't much energy for getting up early. The sky was grey and flat anyway. But there were good subjects out there for this kind of light. We can start with the Dark Hedges, aka "The King's Road" in The Game of Thrones. They are simply a road lined with beech trees but they do make a dramatic image. This was Saturday of a three day weekend in the UK and we got there just in time to watch the tour busses unload. There was no way I could get a shot without people in the picture. I waited a good bit to get the one below, which I actually like, and there was a thundering herd right behind me that promptly marched into the frame. 

_8505690-Edit

The trip was also worthwhile though for scouting. We walked the full length of the lane so I could check out compositions. I could get back here another morning. It was only eight miles from our B&B.

Dunseverick Castle and waterfall was next.

_8505697 There isn't much left of the castle but it sure has a great view!

The waterfall empties directly into the sea and was running strong. It should be with all of the rain we've had to endure. 

_8505719

The drizzly weather moved back in while we were at the waterfall so we retreated to Ballycastle for the evening and a Saturday evening Mass. No sunset shot tonight. 

Sunday May 5th

I got up early to get another crack at the Dark Hedges. It was Sunday morning and there wasn't a soul in sight so this time, no excuses.

_8505771-Edit _8505817

Our main objective for the day was to tour the Bushmills distillery. They claim to be the oldest licensed distillery in Ireland and I guess with that caveat they might be right. 
But our tour was scheduled for the afternoon so we wandered over to Murlough Bay and Torr Head in the morning. These had not been on my A list of places to see, as I wasn't sure we would have time, but I'm glad we saw them. Murlough Bay is hard to capture, especially on a cloudy day, but it was a great spot. It is interesting how each of these little coves is so unique. 

_8505932 _8505965 _8505966

Torr Head is the closest point on the island to Scotland, which on a clear day can easily be seen across the Irish Sea. But not today. We waved to our friends Pam and Al anyway.

_8505987

The distillery tour was interesting, any talk of whiskey is interesting, but not very photogenic because they wouldn't let us take pictures. They said it was due to the danger of explosion. I'd never heard such a thing. I think they just don't want 30 people running around with their phones trying to get selfies in front of the pretty copper pot. My camera did go off accidently a couple of times. And there was no explosion.  

_8505990 _8505992 _8505994

After the tour we went into Bushmills village for a late lunch and while the rest of the crew sat down to eat I wanted one more chance at Dunluce Castle which was just up the road, even though the sky was not too promising. A little squall was just passing over as I got there. 

_8506024-Edit-Edit

The squall moved off but the sky didn't really clear up. These at least show promise in black and white.  _8506032-Edit-Edit

This was our last night in Northern Ireland. We would head into the Republic of Ireland in the morning.