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The wind strengthened during the night
and the tent took a considerable battering. At first light it was
disappointing to see thick mist outside. The strong wind made
packing the tent away very difficult and the mist caused an
additional problem as the grass was covered in moisture, soaking my
shoes. |
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I was thankful to be off the minor
windy hill and back on the road. There was a long descent with some
tricky sharp bends. Then immediately followed a climb that was so
steep I had to push the bike for a considerable distance. After
another steep descent I reached Coolranny, the site of a small
settlement where it s possible to see several areas in Scotland,
weather permitting. I couldn’t see any of them. It was disappointing
not to be able to see Ailsa Craig. After another step climb I
reached a briefly level stretch of road before the long and steep
descent to Cushendun. |
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I stopped briefly by a car park and by
now the mist had cleared and I had nice sunny views. Leaving the
village I soon turned left onto a minor road which was so steep I
had to push the bike again. When the gradient eased I was able to
ride the rest of the way to the summit. Another long descent
followed but at least the bottom had the ruin of Layd Church. Layd
Church, Cushendal was documented in 1306 and in later years had a
thatched roof. It was finally abandoned around 1790. Some crude
restoration had been done to the ruin but it still looked
impressive. The grounds had quite a few burials and many relatively
recent; certainly long after the church fell into disrepair. |
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In Cushendall I came to a cross roads
where I turned left. On the junction was an impressive tower. It is
the Curfew Tower and built in 1817. It can be rented as a residency.
I continued along the coast in lovely sunshine. |
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At one point the road passed through
an impressive short tunnel or arch. Out to sea on a small island was
another pink pained bicycle as part of the Gyro Tour of Italy cycle
race last month. I reached Glenarm and stopped on the bridge to
photograph the river and along the outside of the walled garden. By
the bridge was an information centre building which was closed. A
couple were sitting outside wondering when it may open. There were
no opening times shown anywhere and judging by the state of the door
it hadn’t been opened for ages. Continuing around the coast road I
came to Ballygalley. |
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Pink is
the colour of 'The Gyro' cycle race |
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I stopped by the shop to buy some food
and sat outside eating a banana. A cyclist was sat there having a
rest and we chatted. He was from Belfast and told me how well the
Gyro cycle race had gone and brought the people together. My
original plan was to camp near here and catch the train in the
morning from Larne to Belfast. |
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Antrip
Coast Road
constructed 1832 - 1842 |
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As it was still only midday I decided
to make the most of the good weather and ride though to Belfast. I’d
phoned the Stena Line office to alter my ticket to the overnight
sailing. As I rode along the coast I passed the spot where I’d
planned to camp. It wasn’t a particularly good spot and so was glad
I wasn’t going to use it. Through Larne I came to Glynn Village Hall
and outside on the main A2 road was a full kerb to kerb mural. |
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Outside
Glynn Village Hall |
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I reached Carrickfergus and the very
impressive castle. I stopped for a look round but the castle was too
expensive for a short visit. |
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On my way out of the town I noticed a
wonderful canvas screen on a frame around a house. It was painted
with another house, presumably while the real house behind didn’t
look as good. The cyclist I’d chatted to earlier told me of a cycle
track that ran all the way to Belfast centre. I kept an eye out for
it and fortunately found it at Whiteabbey. It wasn’t well signposted
but I’m glad I found it as once down by the sea level it was a
delight to ride along. |
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It emerged into the dock area and then
I followed cycle tracks along the paths. Eventually I reached the
footbridge over the River Lagan where I’d arrived last Saturday. I
then returned to the Titanic construction site for another look
around. I returned to the Stena terminal at the other end of the
docks but the gate were closed. After waiting with some others they
opened at 6pm and I went to the arrival/departure building to wait.
I sat outside in the sunshine, got my stove out and made a meal. The
trip to the ferry was again by bus and this time I put my bike in
the trailer box to be towed on board. |
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Tandem
on the Titanic site.
The lady was from Bolton, Lancs |
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Site
where the Titanic and
Olympic ships were built |
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Return to
Whittle Wanderer
