It was a gorgeous morning, especially for sleeping in and and enjoying a leisurely breakfast.  But the sunshine was beckoning us into town for a look around.  The ferry company had promised to contact us by ten, if we could make today’s boat, so at 10:15 we headed out to do some much needed laundry and a look about.With a quick swing by the ferry office to pick up tomorrow’s tickets, we learned we were booked on the ferry that left in less than an hour.  Chaos ensued!  A panicked bike back to the hotel, everything thrown into bags, including wet, but very clean, clothes and a return to the dock with enough time to spare to take a few shots of the small town…..and then we were off to Northern Ireland.

It could not have been a more beautiful day to cross the sometime unruly channel between the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea.  Not only were we happy to have made the ferry a day earlier, but also happy to miss Sunday’s prediction of gail force winds.  Leaving the shores of Scotland and entering Northern Ireland, we were struck by how similar their “bluffs” were to The Brac.   As we docked in yet another seaside town, we immediately noticed a fish n’ chips place.  Duckies were hungry from the crossing and were not going any further until fed. A few blocks away, we checked in.  Though it was officially a day off, we actually logged over six miles with the morning errand running.  With an afternoon off, we strolled into town just as the shops were closing.  Lost Jerry in the first pub we came to, so a quick walk about town and I soon realized he was in the best place in town.  With one Guinness down, it was time for a snack; we enjoyed a huge plate of (brown) crab claws perfectly cooked and seasoned with garlic and butter.  More beer, wine and then a seafood pasta dinner to die for plus, great entertainment.We threatened to stay in Ballycastle for a week, or the rest of the trip!  We left with head attached, but a stroll to the seaside was a must and a great choice.  The bluff and beach we had seen on the entry, was beautifully lit by the evening sun.  Many had gathered by the seaside for the beautiful evening, but guided by the birds,  we headed for our B & B.