Sunday, June 23, 2019

Dark Hedges. . . . and the Game of Thrones -


Flying into Dublin from Charlotte, North Carolina was a breeze - 7.5 hours overnight
 on a smooth flight - despite the usual tasteless airline food, bad wine in plastic cups, 
and somewhat dour-faced attendants. Thankfully, an unoccupied seat between us 
allowed us more room. As we who fly coach class know, there is little remaining
 in the way of creature comforts showered on the occupants of the cheaper seats
 (which are no longer that) compared to the old days of passenger care.

We left home in 99F temps. and arrived in the expected cold, chilly rain, and 50F.
Clomping around our point of departure in winter booties, cashmere high-necked 
sweater and a hefty rain jacket brought side glances from the tank-topped, 
shorts and sandals set, but oh was I glad for thinking and planning ahead when
 it came to "there's no bad weather, just the wrong clothing" way of travel.

From the wet Dublin airport we were whisked by a comfortable, clean train through
 the beautiful countryside to Northern Ireland. Probably the best season to see fields
in all their glory, full of newborns - lambs, calves and foals by the hundreds visible
 in every direction, cavorting, curled up sleeping, or nursing from their proud mamas.


We had spent just one day in Belfast on our Irish trip 3 years ago, a rush visit with an 
overall view of the city via Hop On Hop Off bus. This time with 3 days planned 
we were able to relax, get out around the city, and to take a day trip by coach to 
the Giant's Causeway, Carrick-A-Rede and The Dark Hedges etc.


Of course it was raining - I'll be reiterating that statement in posts on Ireland often
 so don't be surprised.
If you were a Games of Thrones viewer you may well recall this beautiful, quite
mysterious place featured in the series as The Kings Road.





More posts to come on beautiful Northern Ireland.

8 comments:

  1. I have not watched Game of Thrones, but those trees are beautiful!

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  2. I've never watched Game of Thrones. They used Malta for a few scenes too I heard. The King's Road is beautiful and very atmospheric. I would, of course, love to visit Ireland. Maybe my dream w ill come true next year. This year we will be in the US: Missouri, Indiana and probably Ohio are on our list. We'll see where else we'll end up.

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  3. I have never been to Ireland but have it on my list. I agree with you about traveling these days, in factI had the same conversation with my huhband not an hour ago, gone are the good old days of traveling.

    I am looking forward to seeing more of your trip. It looks beautiful.

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  4. Oh my gosh Mary, the Dark Hedges are AWESOME!!! I can't believe how gorgeous those trees are, I'm quite sure I've seen them in movies!!!

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  5. I don't watch Game of Thrones but I was aware of those Dark Hedges in Ireland - how lovely that you saw them. It was a shame about the weather but it certainly did not dampen your spirits or the enjoyment of your trip and your photos are great too.
    The weather seems to be on the turn - for the first time ever the weather maps here are showing Europe not in red for very hot but in shocking pink as it is expected to hit a soaring heat of 40℃ - that is way too hot for me.

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  6. Not a Game of Thrones viewer, but one does not need to be to appreciate how beautiful that tree "tunnel" is! It must also be rather spectacular in autumn.

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  7. The Dark Hedges are hauntingly beautiful Mary! An unforgettable experience.
    I watched Episode one of the first series of GOT but it didn’t grab me!
    We’ve just finished watching Martin Clunes in Manhunt - loved him in this role, he’s so talented!

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  8. Oh the Dark Hedges are beautiful! I love seeing avenues like this. What a treat to have the time to explore with this trip.

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