A week in Carrickfergus March 28th to April 4th 2018

We were fortunate to get a home exchange in Carrickfergus for Easter 2018. Brian and Mairead joined us for the long weekend. The weather was wet a lot of the time and bitterly cold. However, we had 3 largely dry days and we made the most of them.

On our first day we took a trip to Whitehead beach.

Baby puffins use an outdoor toilet in order not to soil their feathers or bed - good idea!

I love this three-dimensional mural.

When Brian and Mairead joined us we took a tour of Carrickfergus Castle. It was very interesting.

Looking at the chainmail from a distance I reckoned I could crochet it. When I felt the weight of it I realised I wouldn't have the strength to hold it up.

Seemingly this lady is looking wistfully to the Isle of Man. She could have picked a warmer spot!

King John on the loo which he occupied for 2 weeks. Must have been some com-motion among everyone else!

Mairead and I were very impressed with the giant chess and the giant snakes and ladders.

On the look out!

I couldn't imagine how anyone would want to go on the big wheel in such cold weather - but some did!

The Castle's private chapel.

Following our tour of the castle we went to Mount Stewart.

Glass Ellie bank!

The garden was full of topiary.

When the plants grow and blossom I assume this is a representation of the Red Hand of Ulster.

On the Saturday we went to St. George's market where we were really impressed with the fresh food stalls and one or two of the jewellery stalls.

There was one stall that had sculptures made from coins.

Then we took a hop on hop off guided tour of Belfast. The guide was excellent.

We hopped off at the Ulster Museum where we had lunch and then headed straight to the Game of Thrones tapestry - it is absolutely amazing!

There an interesting exhibition about the troubles in Northern Ireland.

We really liked the Political Chess Set.

We hopped on again, It was a different guide but he too was very good. Then we got detoured because of a Republican march. The marching and drumming was very aggressive.

There were lots of murals but it wasn't that easy to get a photo of them.

We took out on foot again and went to St. Anne's Cathedral where we saw the Celtic Cross. Then we wandered through some of the streets in that area.

Hmm - 50 shades!

Jim fancied a trip on this.

On Easter Sunday we went to Carnfunnock Country Park. There we saw all the sundials and wood sculptures.

We walked and walked and walked - to keep warm! we watched the children rolling eggs downhill and we lunched in the cafe.

On Easter Monday I reluctantly went to Whitehead Railway Museum to please Jim and Brian. We had the most boring guide!

Brian and Mairead went home in the afternoon and Jim and I did a bit of a stroll through Carrickfergus.

I thought these were nicer than the ones in Belfast.












All in all we had a good time in Carrickfergus but I have never experienced such bitterly cold weather!