Monday, March 28, 2011

[ an irish road trip & a winner! ]

DON'T YOU just love sunny, gorgeous weekends? The weather has definitely turned in Ireland and it's been lovely! Great time for a road trip!

One area I've been dying to visit is the northern-most tip of Northern Ireland and so we hopped in the car, grabbed a coffee to-go and we were off!


Of course one of my favourite things in Ireland is passing by all the sheep in the fields and on this trip we saw so many.


We drove through Belfast and headed towards the eastern coast so we could travel the scenic Causeway Coastal Route.




We passed through cute villages and eventually stopped to stretch our legs and grab a snack.


Nothing fancy - just a taste test of which chips were best. It was a tie.


Time to carry-on.


The drive along the coastline was gorgeous and I could just imagine how lovely it would be to wake up to that every morning.


We came across the Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge and decided to experience this popular tourist attraction.


I never really considered myself afraid of heights but on a jiggly rope bridge, I realized that I was a bit (especially with a camera in my hand!).


Having made it across feeling a little uneasy, I managed it much better on the way back. But I was happy to plant my feet on solid ground.





We explored the area a bit and decided to continue on our journey. Next stop: the Giant's Causeway.


It looked cool from above and we realized we had a long walk along the cliff to get down there.


The path was relatively narrow considering there were people walking down as well us back up. Good thing we were wearing appropriate footwear.


We eventually made it down and it really was amazing!


As we started heading back up to the top, the sun peeked out again.


I loved the charming hotel and if it had been later we may have considered staying there. But there was still time to get home before dark.


Definitely a fun weekend and it was great to see more of the incredible sights around Ireland!

And now, the winner of the Ramsign giveaway is..... (drumroll.....)



Formerly known as Frau said...

I fell in love also with the European house numbers too...I love the Highlander one!

Congratulations! And thanks to everyone for entering! Happy Monday!

lisa
at

32 comments:

  1. Formerly known as FrauMarch 28, 2011 at 7:02 AM

    Gorgeous pictures! Years ago when we visited Cork we did the Ring of Kerry. All the sheep we saw were spray painted loud colors...not sure why! One of my favorite little towns was Kinsale. My hubby's work has a plant in Cork so I hope he needs to go again some day so I can tag along! Loved Ireland!

    Nothing better than starting a Monday as a winner! Woot Woot! Thanks so much!

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  2. KClark PhotographyMarch 28, 2011 at 8:40 AM

    Looked like the perfect day trip.

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  3. MeelingMarch 28, 2011 at 9:44 AM

    OMG...Lisa, gorgeous! You make me want to hop a plane and go on vacation!!

    Ireland and Scotland are actually our next dream vacation. We did Italy last year which we loved. Maybe next year..or the year after...in the meantime I'll keep dreaming about it.

    Great photos...so glad you had a lovely weekend!!

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  4. MichelleMarch 28, 2011 at 10:06 AM

    LOVE each and every one of these photos! Ireland will always be on our "one-day-we'll-get-there" vacation lists! Beautiful!

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  5. Carol@TheDesignPagesMarch 28, 2011 at 11:49 AM

    You are one lucky lady to be able to hop in a car and experience the beautiful Irish countryside. Gorgeous photos. I love the Walkers as well! Carol

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  6. PineconeMarch 28, 2011 at 12:23 PM

    Looks like you had a great time!! I love all of the photos too.
    xo
    Ashlyn

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  7. annechovieMarch 28, 2011 at 12:36 PM

    Thanks for sharing all of these photos - what a neat place! Have a great week! xx

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  8. birdie blueMarch 28, 2011 at 1:01 PM

    it sounds like the perfect day. love all the pics. the rope bridge and giant's causeway look amazing. those stones, wow, nature's tetris indeed.

    xo
    ~molly

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  9. A Perfect GrayMarch 28, 2011 at 3:34 PM

    awesome photos. what a beautiful area - and I can't believe you made it over that bridge...

    donna

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  10. SarahMarch 28, 2011 at 3:45 PM

    Hi Lisa: thanks for the pics...what a lovely place, I can't wait to visit someday in the too distant future. Thanks for taking us along, how cool. I particularly loved your naming one pic 'nature's tetris' - it really does look like the game!! have fun! :))

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  11. Meagan, in house nesterMarch 28, 2011 at 3:57 PM

    ah if only we had connected last week! you could have stopped off in Belfast for a coffee and a bag of crisps! ha ha... love your roadtrip, the Giant's Causeway is awesome awesome. Long enough drive for you folks though! ACK!

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  12. Anna @ IHODMarch 28, 2011 at 7:58 PM

    Ireland is seriously sooo beautiful! I hope to go someday. Thank you for sharing these images!

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  13. emilyMarch 28, 2011 at 11:05 PM

    Looks like a wonderful trip! What gorgeous pictures!

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  14. KarenaMarch 29, 2011 at 12:16 AM

    Lisa, how great you adventurer!!

    No wonder you don't have time for handbags!! This is much more exciting!

    I have a new giveaway I think you will love from The Zhush!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  15. Travel With LuluMarch 29, 2011 at 1:03 AM

    I love love this little virtual road trip! Those rock formations are wild. I didn't know the National Trust is in Ireland too :) Lots of little lambs here too - LOVE THEM! XoL

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  16. UnknownMarch 29, 2011 at 7:34 AM

    WOW! Your photos are spectacular! Dying to visit this part of the world...even more so now! Love the way you added the text graphics here as well!

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  17. Emily@VitaNostraMarch 29, 2011 at 8:22 AM

    It was a weekend for road trips! Thank you so much for sharing this.... truly gorgeous. The bridge, rocks, water, scenery... like a virtual trip. You are so very lucky.

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  18. Sarah @ Cubicle SanityMarch 29, 2011 at 10:07 AM

    Those pictures are great!
    My sister and dad are plannig a trip to London, Ireleand and Scotland for September. You must give me a list of suggestions. We are planning on flying London to Dublin but then no clue!

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  19. Aimee@ the Functional SpaceMarch 29, 2011 at 6:31 PM

    Such beautiful pictures!! The Husband and I never took a real honeymoon and we're hoping that this might be our year. Ireland is definitely on the list....maybe a little higher on the list after seeing your travelogue!
    That bridge makes me feel sick just thinking about it! You are a much braver woman than I am.

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  20. Barbara MatsonMarch 29, 2011 at 10:20 PM

    Wow, I need to visit Ireland. Sigh....

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  21. Lana {lanalou style}March 30, 2011 at 7:43 AM

    Such beautiful photos! You make me want to get and pack my bags right away!:)

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  22. Lynda @ Happenstance HomeMarch 30, 2011 at 9:02 AM

    That looks like an amazing trip. everything is so beautiful and peaceful looking.

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  23. RobynMarch 31, 2011 at 10:58 AM

    Lovely post. I did the Giants Causeway years ago and remember that frightning rope bridge from then...eeek! Lovely road trip! Robyn :)
    Visiting from Laura's party!

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  24. Travel With LuluMarch 31, 2011 at 11:16 AM

    I'm back :) So great to revisit this wonderful post - it has stuck with me since I last saw it. Your photos have taken me there :)

    Thank you for joining my Post Of The Month Club - I hope you'll link up again in April :) XOL

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  25. TexaGermaFinlaNadianMarch 31, 2011 at 12:13 PM

    Absolutely beautiful! I was loving the sunny weather this weekend too, although I am not really in the vicinity of you. We had a great weekend get away too. Love the pics of the causeway and those lambs, sooooo cute! Love them.
    Stopped over from the post of the month club hop and glad I did. Hope you are having a good one today!
    http://texagermanadian.blogspot.com/

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  26. FatimaMarch 31, 2011 at 1:26 PM

    Not sure I could have done that bridge!
    Beautiful pictures! Thanks for sharing them.

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  27. Sally - My Custard PieMarch 31, 2011 at 4:42 PM

    Thanks for taking us on this road trip and the walk - which I would so like to do. I might just be able to pluck up the courage to do that wobbly bridge as the incentive is so great.

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  28. PaulMarch 31, 2011 at 7:48 PM

    Great photos, I actually felt like I was there! :-)

    Paul
    http://fromsheeptoalligators.blogspot.com

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  29. MaxabellaMarch 31, 2011 at 11:23 PM

    Oh my! That was absolutely marvellous! I miss travelling and I particularly miss the UK and Ireland. Thank you for bringing us on your road trip.

    I popped in from the Happy Homemaker and I'm so glad I did, Lisa. Love your blog! x

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  30. SarahBApril 1, 2011 at 3:10 AM

    WOW how great is this!?!?! My hubby and I want to bike Ireland! We bike New Zealand for out Honeymoon and spend 14 days on a Tandem bike! LOVED EVERY SECOND! Ireland looks like it will be wonderful!!

    Im here from Happy Homemaker UK! So glad I found you!

    CHEERS!
    Sarah
    Blissfulblatterations.blogspot.com

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  31. flowers on my tableApril 1, 2011 at 7:12 AM

    Just found you via Laura's linky party. Boy was I surprised to see the Antrim Coast on there. I live in Antrim, so it made me kind of proud.Hope you have a lovely weekend, love Linda x.

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  32. LindyLouMacApril 2, 2011 at 8:31 AM

    Calling by from Happy Homemaker UK as participating in Post of the Month and really enjoying meeting everyone else and reading their favourite posts. Great roadtrip :)

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