Summer has arrived – beaches of the Causeway Coast

We have been up at our cottage (near the Giants Causeway) since Tuesday, and from Wednesday it has been warm and dry!

For some of my readers who live in warmer sunnier climates, you might not appreciate the wonder of that last sentence, but for locals here in Norn Iron (Northern Ireland said in a local accent) any warmth with a wee bit of sun and lack of rain is a HUGE deal. It is true Elizabeth, we DO talk A LOT about the weather – probably because you can experience about 6 types of weather in one day!

It has been so nice in fact, that we have been able to spend at least some part of each day on different beaches in our area.  All along the Causeway Coast there are some beautiful beaches – each one with it’s unique charms/attractions.  I am taking a phone photography course (you know I love my iPhoneography) and as part of that I have set myself a challenge to visit as many of our local beaches as possible over the summer.

From Google Maps I created this collage of just a few of the beaches on our to-do list

Portballintrae – a small sheltered cove with some great rocks for clambering over and wee rock pools to be invesitaged.

Portstewart – owned by National Trust, a wild and windswept beach with stunning views including Mussenden Temple, and the ability to drive along it (and buy icecream!)

Downhill – the other “driving” beach in the area, with views of the other side of Mussenden Temple. There is also a beautiful spectacular waterfall which is worth walking along the beach for a closer viw.

Castlerock – the other side of the mouth of the River Bann from the Portstewart Strand, another great beach to walk along and explore  – or to oblige your mother with a photo!

Portrush – East Strand / Curran Strand – two names for the same stretch of beach. Portrush also has a West Strand beach, but we will save that for another day. My son made friends with two lovely wee American girls, and they happily spent yesterday afternoon building tunnels, damns and racetracks through the sand.

So there you have it – some stunning beaches, and some uncharacteristically warm weather with which to enjoy them!

Come back soon to visit some more of our local beaches with me.