Portballintrae

Portballintrae (Port Bhaile an Tra), meaning port (landing place) at the settlement (town) of the strand (beach).   Whatever - a grand place for a day out.

This is a good time of year to go to Portballintrae (and indeed anywhere around the North Antrim coast) - before the tourists arrive in their hordes.  We were there a few weeks ago - you know the sort of thing, take a picnic, which gets devoured as soon as you arrive and the sea air hits you and then a bit of a walk.

Portballantrae

This scene greets you at the western end of the village, before you get to the harbour.  The tide was well out, as you can see, so we were able to have a decent clamber over the rocks.  Not that I'm much good at clambering, what with me dodgy hips and all - took it all very easy I did.  Still, a great place for kids - rock pools teeming with life etc etc.

In the distance you can just about make out the Skerries and beyond them lies a faint outline of Donegal.  The sun was beating down and for once there wasn't a cloud in the sky.  Perfect.