In this third part of my Belfast blog, I’d like to share some of the photos I took on the stunning North East coast, Co Antrim. The location for many a “Games of Thrones” scene and (a bit further west than we went) Luke Skywalker’s desolate home in the last couple of “Star Wars” films.

The absolute highlight was, of course, the Giant’s Causeway. An incredible geological phenomenon. The outcome of a cooling lava flow millions of years ago. The myth behind the place is a story of two giants: one in Ireland, the other in Scotland. They would hurl insults at each other across the sea. The Scots giant was bigger and threatened to come over and kill the Irishman. He built the causeway to do so. As he made his way to the Irish giant’s home, the latter hid in his child’s room, dressed as a baby. His wife let the Scotsman in, and offered him tea. As the giant supped, he heard snoring in the baby’s room. He went in to look and saw the giant baby-like, asleep in the bed, red beard and all.  “If the baby is that big, then how large must the Irishman be?” the Scotsman cried, as he fled from the house. He ran back over the causeway to Scotland, destroying it with each retreating step. Which is why all that is left is what we, today, call the Giant’s Causeway.  Well, it is a myth…

This looks to be where the causeway stopped after the Scottish giant trampled it to bits!

Dunluce Castle. May have been used for “Game of Thrones”. Should be!

Next stop, Bushmills distillery for a spot of lunch and whiskey tasting!

Not hiding – the seats were very low! Top malt was a twelve year old single malt matured in port casks and available only at the distillery.

Next, heading back to Belfast now, along the coast road, was Carrick-a-Rede, famous for its Rope Bridge. I have a terrible head for heights where sheer drops are involved, so I declined the walk across it. Kath wasn’t that keen either. But there was lots of other amazing scenery to enjoy – and a “Game of Thrones” moment.

Actually, on zooming the camera in for this picture of the rope bridge, it didn’t look that bad… or did it?

There’s a disused quarry, which doubles up as a relief car park, which was the scene of some “Game of Thrones” action.

Another “Game of Thrones” scene, in the coastal town of Carnlough. The mist had come down by then.

Finally, a brief stop in Carrickfergus, which I associate with the beautiful folk song, sung by Van Morrison, amongst others. There’s a castle, and inevitably there is a statue of King William of Orange. Next to the funfair.

The coast road was amazing, often right next to the sea, We went through some beautiful glens too. The mist made taking photos from the bus window pointless, but it made me want to go back soon – when the sun is shining!