Crossing the Irish Sea & Robert Burns Birthplace

 26 September 2011


We followed the coast highway from Ballygally to the port of Larne at Larne Lough (Irish for lake) so we could take the ferry from Northern Ireland to Scotland.  Although they are both part of the United Kingdom, technically, they are different countries so we had to go through customs.  Since we were on a coach (Americans call it a bus) the customs authorities could elect to look at every suitcase or a "sampling" of suitcases.  Our driver, Jim, pictured here told us in advance that they would probably sample the luggage.

The customs officers came onboard the bus, looked at each passenger, verified the passenger count, and then selected a four bag "sample."   The passengers that belonged to the chosen bags had to exit the bus, claim the bag, and identify the contents. When the officers were satisfied, they got back on the coach and Jim drove the coach onto the ferry.

 Everyone had to exit the coach for the two hour crossing.  We spent most of the time on deck enjoying the sunshine and sea breezes coming from the North Channel.
We entered Scotland via the Firth of Clyde.  According to "Webster's" a Firth is another name for an estuary, a bay, or inlet to a loch. The Firth of Clyde gives access to the river Clyde.

 Once we were back on the road again it was a short drive north to Alloway to visit the Robert Burns birthplace, museum, monument and gardens.

 This is the backside of the house where Robert Burns was born.  The doorway on the left enters into the stable room.  The horse and the cow were kept here.  Next to the stable room was the workshop.  Following that was the parlor.  The window above the green shrubs lights the parlor the white chimney at the center of the building, near the window, is for the parlor fireplace.  The front door or the door to the street is in this room.  

 The family spent most of their time in the small family room (the one with the small window on the right above).  They cooked, ate, worked, and slept in this room. 

 This bed is where Robert Burns and three of his siblings were born.  The bed is about four feet wide and about five feet long.  It is across the room from the fireplace against the parlor wall.

 After spending some time in the museum, we ambled through the gardens.

 The gardens cover several acres and are on multiple levels.

The bridge in this picture was featured in one of Burns' poems.  However, it now is a bridge to nowhere since a new bridge was built about a half mile west.  The memorial can be seen on the hill at the top of the picture.

 This picture was taken from the top of the hill, on our way back to the museum.

This is a closer view of the memorial monument.