Monday, September 28
After a hearty breakfast we checked out, fetched the car and headed off to the north-west to stop at the Giant’s Causeway. This a fascinating coastal site showcasing an enormous extent of hexagonal basalt columns. These are much older and show extensive erosion and cracking when compared to the Devils Postpile National Monument in Mammoth Lakes, CA. We joined a guided tour and heard the tales and myths of the giant that made for a fun story. There’s even a portion where he ended up riding a camel, and the form of the camel can be seen in a collection of rocks that were pointed out to us.
After a good walk and a stop at an overlook to view the Dunluce Castle, above the crashing waves, we drove onto Derry. We checked into a hotel next to the river and close to the old city walls. The woman at reception, Danielle, was amazingly helpful. She located places to stop out when in the walled area, and while on top. It’s the best-preserved walled city in Ireland, with walls dating to the 17th century. She gave the suggestion to stop at the City Hall where we saw the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to John Hume for his work in negotiating the Good Friday Agreement in April 1998, bringing the tenuous peace that ended the years of conflict known as the Troubles.
While walking the top of the wall and viewing over Bogside and some of the murals, we chatted with two men who gave us a recommendation for a place for dinner. Turned out to be close and a good choice.
Last stop was to walk across the Peace Bridge. The sun cast a lovely light on the bridge as I walked across.
