brens-s80
08-20-2008, 06:37 AM
Date; Sunday 14th September
Meeting; Carrickfergus Castle car park, Carrickfergus
10.00am, leaving at 10.30 on the dot...
Google Map - Carrickfergus Castle Meeting Point (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&saddr=54.713094,-5.80916&daddr=&hl=en&geocode=&mra=mi&mrsp=0&sz=17&sll=54.71328,-5.807991&sspn=0.004388,0.009956&ie=UTF8&z=17)
From the South / Belfast;
Follow the M1 Motorway through the Westlink following signs for the M2. Join the M2 Motorway and keep to the right lanes signposted M5 / Whiteabbey / Carrickfergus. At the end of the motorway take the third exit off the roundabout onto the A2. Follow the A2 along the promenade until you arrive in Carrickfergus. The castle will be on the right.
From the North / Antrim;
Follow the M2 South and exit at Junction 2. Follow the One-Way system round to the right signposted A2 / Whiteabbey. Continue to follow the A2 through Whiteabbey and along the promenade until you arrive in Carrickfergus. The castle will be on the right.
Run Details
The castle is a popular destination along the South of the coast road and is very easily accessible for members coming from any direction. From the Castle we will be heading North following the coast right the way up and taking the infamous Torr Head Scenic Route. There will be several picture stops along the way before resting for lunch at the Causeway Hotel in Bushmills (very nice, inexpensive and casual pub lunch).
For the second half of the run we will be travelling down through the Glens of Antrim taking in mountain scenery and passing by Altnahinch Dam and the desolate roads that surround it before heading further South and finishing at Carrickfergus Castle again.
The route has been tried and tested by myself and I will be doing another test run to confirm the roads are good-to-go. Some of the stops I have in mind and the roads will make for a very enjoyable cruise so you’d be mad to miss out!
If you are able to attend please state how many will be attending in your Volvo as I’ll need to make a reservation for lunch.
B&B & Camping
Now who’s up for a spot of camping or B&Bing?
Craig (craig8661), who has also helpfully assisted with the meet organisation, has been very kind to offer use of his garden for happy campers alike. There is plenty of room and no unrealistic campsite charges which sounds pretty good to me! He is located 8 miles from the Castle so it is very handy – PM him for his address and more details if interested.
For the spoil-sports that prefer that little bit of luxury (Brendan!) my missus has very kindly complied a small list of inexpensive B&Bs in the area -
Hillcrest B&B - £25 pp sharing or £35 single
http://www.hillcrestireland.co.uk (http://www.hillcrestireland.co.uk/)
Seascape B&B- £25 pp sharing or £30 single
http://www.seascapecountryhouse.co.uk (http://www.seascapecountryhouse.co.uk/)
Beechgrove Farm- £22.50 pp sharing or £25 single
http://www.beechgrovefarm.co.uk (http://www.beechgrovefarm.co.uk/)
Drumgart Farmhouse- £25 pp sharing or £30 single
http://www.drumgart.com (http://www.drumgart.com/)
Meeting; Carrickfergus Castle car park, Carrickfergus
10.00am, leaving at 10.30 on the dot...
Google Map - Carrickfergus Castle Meeting Point (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&saddr=54.713094,-5.80916&daddr=&hl=en&geocode=&mra=mi&mrsp=0&sz=17&sll=54.71328,-5.807991&sspn=0.004388,0.009956&ie=UTF8&z=17)
From the South / Belfast;
Follow the M1 Motorway through the Westlink following signs for the M2. Join the M2 Motorway and keep to the right lanes signposted M5 / Whiteabbey / Carrickfergus. At the end of the motorway take the third exit off the roundabout onto the A2. Follow the A2 along the promenade until you arrive in Carrickfergus. The castle will be on the right.
From the North / Antrim;
Follow the M2 South and exit at Junction 2. Follow the One-Way system round to the right signposted A2 / Whiteabbey. Continue to follow the A2 through Whiteabbey and along the promenade until you arrive in Carrickfergus. The castle will be on the right.
Run Details
The castle is a popular destination along the South of the coast road and is very easily accessible for members coming from any direction. From the Castle we will be heading North following the coast right the way up and taking the infamous Torr Head Scenic Route. There will be several picture stops along the way before resting for lunch at the Causeway Hotel in Bushmills (very nice, inexpensive and casual pub lunch).
For the second half of the run we will be travelling down through the Glens of Antrim taking in mountain scenery and passing by Altnahinch Dam and the desolate roads that surround it before heading further South and finishing at Carrickfergus Castle again.
The route has been tried and tested by myself and I will be doing another test run to confirm the roads are good-to-go. Some of the stops I have in mind and the roads will make for a very enjoyable cruise so you’d be mad to miss out!
If you are able to attend please state how many will be attending in your Volvo as I’ll need to make a reservation for lunch.
B&B & Camping
Now who’s up for a spot of camping or B&Bing?
Craig (craig8661), who has also helpfully assisted with the meet organisation, has been very kind to offer use of his garden for happy campers alike. There is plenty of room and no unrealistic campsite charges which sounds pretty good to me! He is located 8 miles from the Castle so it is very handy – PM him for his address and more details if interested.
For the spoil-sports that prefer that little bit of luxury (Brendan!) my missus has very kindly complied a small list of inexpensive B&Bs in the area -
Hillcrest B&B - £25 pp sharing or £35 single
http://www.hillcrestireland.co.uk (http://www.hillcrestireland.co.uk/)
Seascape B&B- £25 pp sharing or £30 single
http://www.seascapecountryhouse.co.uk (http://www.seascapecountryhouse.co.uk/)
Beechgrove Farm- £22.50 pp sharing or £25 single
http://www.beechgrovefarm.co.uk (http://www.beechgrovefarm.co.uk/)
Drumgart Farmhouse- £25 pp sharing or £30 single
http://www.drumgart.com (http://www.drumgart.com/)