Ireland, Day Five--Old Bushmills Distillery and Dunluce Castle

This was the day the depression hit.  It was our last full day in Northern Ireland, and I saw the writing on the wall--the vacation was coming to an end.

I was even happier that I had watched the forecast and we had gone to The Causeway the day before, because the morning (and the day) was overcast and cloudy.  However, it reminded me of all the times we had visited Ireland before, and it felt strangely comforting.

I wanted to head into the village one last time.  I had mail to send to a certain lucky boy in Russia--all postcards collected from the different places we had visited so far.  The cutest leprechaun postal worker was in the post office.  She kept saying something that I couldn't understand for the life of me--88p.  It took her repeating it for me to understand that it was a combination of numbers and a letter, and another second for me to think about "p" meaning "pence".  We had only paid for things with a credit card before this, so I wasn't used to the money at all.  In fact, as I held the different British coins in my hand, I had no idea what was what, and I didn't want to look like a fool, so I just handed over a bunch of pounds--and received more tiny "p"s in return :-)

I love mail.  I love sending it; I love receiving it.  There's something so beautifully romantic about the stationery, and the stamps, and the post offices themselves!  Not here in the US, but definitely in the UK.  I mean c'mon, look at that cute place.  Who wouldn't want to send a letter?

I bought these wooden postcards in the gift shop at The Giant's Causeway.  Just like the others, it was "88p" to send one.

I know the distillery is referencing the color of whiskey,
but I'm thinking more of currency, aren't you?

I recognize that it might seem rather strange for two families of Mormons to be visiting the Bushmills distillery, but it was actually quite interesting.  While waiting for the tour to begin, we watched a great video about the history of whiskey.  I find it amazing that people ever figured out how to make whiskey (or any alcoholic beverage for that matter).  It's one thing to just let grapes ferment and have a glass of wine, but there's much more that goes into making whiskey.  Distillation alone--how did people 800 years ago (or earlier) figure that out?  And making a mash?  And adding water?  I think the same thing when I see bread dough rise--who ever discovered yeast, and figured out what to do with it?  It was rather amazing.

We went on the tour of the distillery, and ended up in the bar/restaurant area at the end where we were allowed one glass of whiskey.  Just as Mark remembers from back in 2005, we once again ordered our Fantas and Diet Cokes :-)  There was a bonus though for staying:  it turned out that the restaurant was quite "nice" in fact, and we all had some lunch there.

Although Northern Ireland is governed by the UK and still uses the Pound Sterling as its currency, the Bank of Ireland prints the money.  And the picture on every single note?  Bushmills Distillery.  Of ALL the beautiful places in Northern Ireland, the bank chooses to feature a distillery.  I'm thinking that some serious pounds changed hands between the bank and the distillery, providing free advertising for Bushmills.

Proof positive that Northern Ireland is governed by the UK--the infamous red telephone booth.

The distillery is like a small town in and of itself.  Glo liked the mini traffic lights stationed in different places.

Anyone who has visited Old Bushmills with John will remember this...(Click here)

Afterwards, we headed to Dunluce Castle, a lovely ruinous castle sitting on an outcropping overlooking the ocean.  Before we actually paid the fee to be admitted, the whole family headed down stairs which lead underneath the castle.

Isn't the castle and the view amazing?

Another favorite picture of the week:  some of my favorite people in the world :-)

Between my ankle and my back, John suggested that I NOT climb over the fence and venture down to the beach.  Seeing how difficult it was to descend (Hannah fell), I'm glad that for once, I took his advice!

Attempting to learn as much as possible, we adults participated in the audio "treasure hunt" along with the girls.  I always like to understand something as ancient as this castle (instead of just wandering through stone rooms and not really having any idea about any of it).  The audio was of the medieval owner of the castle (don't remember his name), and we were to help him find things that had gone missing.  The missing items were actual artifacts, found in the castle.  It was surprisingly fun!

Jared--always the rebel!

One of the best selfies of the week.  The background isn't so great, but the two people?  Not too bad looking :-)

Finally, Hannah took this video of John and me.  The tour had referenced the horses, and how the men would mount them.  (I find it amazing, hearing Hannah's voice--I thought it was ME at first!)  Kudos to my "horse" who could hold me--he just laughs at my feet when he watches this video ;-)

It will come as no surprise that we did nothing but play games that entire night...and eat chocolate and meat pies.