We leave Bushmills and drive towards Ballintoy for our 11am bridge crossing booking. We have to wait for someone to come and open the entrance gate as it’s restricted to car height. Once through and down the hill the carpark is large so it’s a breeze to park the van.

It’s a 1.1km walk down a trail and eventually down steps to get to the rope bridge. There’s a small queue but we don’t have to wait too long. The final bit before the rope bridge is a metal, not quite vertical, ladder and then you’re crossing it. It bounces and sways and you can feel the wind whistling pass you on the short crossing to the island of Carrick-a-rede. I didn’t enjoy it at all even though I’m not afraid of heights, so I held on tight and kept moving slowly, just looking ahead. T was a lot more relaxed about it.

The first bridge was originally built and used by salmon fisherman in 1755. Suspended 100ft over the Atlantic ocean it links the mainland and the island of Carrick-a-rede. They crossed to the island where they ran a fishery operation. The island is in the path of migrating salmon as they search for the river in which they were born. Catches of up to 300 salmon were common up until the 1960’s.

Back in the day it was just a simple rope crossing with planks and wide gaps underfoot and no sides to it, unlike today, so a lot flimsier and scarier. The latest version of the bridge was constructed in 2008 and thankfully has a wire rope.

Once on the island we then clamber up a uneven stone pathway to the top for lovely views of the sea and the coastline.

After our fill of the view, it’s time for the return crossing. I’m determined to enjoy this a bit more and manage to look down at the sea and around on the bridge. A hike back up the hill and steps to the carpark gets the blood pumping.

Onto our next adventure in Ballycastle. We are taking the ferry to Rathlin Island tomorrow so planning on staying overnight in the harbour carpark. We find a sweet spot up against the harbour wall with the sea behind us and plenty of room to exit.

After lolling in the van in the afternoon trying to plan what’s next, we eventually rouse ourselves and get changed to go out.

The sun is shining and Ballycastle is sparkling. There’s a marina, a promenade and a lovely beach. It’s a very pretty place.

We’ve been recommended a couple of pubs and we hope to eat in one of them.  The Boyd Arms, doesn’t do food and the second one, Anzac is full. We try and find a third place O’Connors, also recommended by a local outside of Anzac, but fail as T gets his Google directions wrong, and instead buy a terrible takeaway which we eat in a third pub the Diamond bar which was OK as we bought a pint. This is a McVeigh bar not a McVey bar but T enjoys a chat and finds out that the McVeigh owner is a blue so he’s happy about that too.

Walking back towards the harbour we find O’Connor’s which is still serving food, but too late for us obviously, however we enjoy a pint sitting at the bar.

A final half in the Harbour Bar before retiring to bed and an early night as we are up  tomorrow at 8am

An excellent day.

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