Suddenly light

It was a damp, gloomy morning, but Gordon went ahead with his plan to get the boat across to Rathlin Island. (I opted out.) It was when we both set out for Ballycastle this afternoon to retrieve his phone, which he had managed to leave on the island (long story!), that it suddenly brightened up and the light, when we stopped at a viewpoint, was lovely. Here is the view of Rathlin Island and in the distance is the Mull of Kintyre. 

We have found in Northern Ireland that people are so friendly, helpful and ready to chat. Maybe, because we are independent travellers with no link to any cruise/coach tour, we are more interesting, or maybe it's because we are never in a hurry and Gordon in particular is so ready to stop to chat. It was only a short return journey to Ballycastle, but he managed three conversations. He spoke at length with a lady at the viewpoint who lived locally but who was born on Rathlin Island and had come out because the light was so good. Interesting talk about the island and her family. Then, as we stopped for petrol in Bushmills, he was involved in  conversation about the bonfire happening this evening. And, as we bought potatoes from one of the many little sheds outside farms, he was in conversation with a young girl, who was obviously bored with her job and glad to talk to someone (see extra).

Queens
The signs for potatoes changed today, from 'New' to 'Queens'. Apparently British Queens have been grown in Ireland since the early 1900s and are the next to appear after the 'Earlies'. It seemed appropriate to be taking potatoes back from Ireland, as we are pretty certain that Gordon's ancestors left Ireland because of the failure of potato crops in the 1840s that had such a devastating effect on so many lives. 

Our last day - home tomorrow.