Postmarked Ballycastle, Co. Antrim, dated 8 August 1958.
Rope Bridge, Carrick-a-Rede, Co. Antrim.
28217
I found this when looking through some old photos from my husband's family, ones I had never seen before. It was sent to my mother-in-law by my father-in-law to say they had been walking out there that afternoon. I asked my husband about it and he said that was only half the story.
He was 11 years old at the time and thought it was the greatest adventure. The bridge had a single hand rail and widely spaced slats. There was no better fun than to run half way across and make it sway! In the meantime his father, grandfather and grandmother were having palpitations. By common consent, my mother-in-law was never told the full story.
Even without that story, when I first saw the postcard, I assumed the bridge would no longer be in existence, but in fact it is, though in a much altered state. Not far from the Giant's Causeway, it is now owned by the National Trust and is quite a tourist attraction. It was originally put there so that salmon fishermen could cross to Carrick-a-Rede island to check their nets. The views and the wildlife are stunning.
In the past there have been visitors who can't face the return journey and have had to be taken from the island by boat. I suspect I would be one of them.
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Oh, this is awesome, what a gret photo.
ReplyDeletedebby
i love these sorts of bridges, though i must say, i dont feel quite at ease with them.
ReplyDeleteI remember when i was little, and we often went to visit some relatives in Serbia, and most of the times we went by train...i always dreaded this 'swaying/hanging' bridge we had to go over...i absolutely always always always had the feeling that the train would fall into the river
well, it didnt, but the bad butterflies on the inside still remain :)
btw, i think that my card to you had either got lost or is wandering, i have no idea where, so im gonna send you another one, and the *worst* that can happen is that you end up with two cards eventually :D
but im just sorry for the inconvenience =|
I like the hanging bridge connecting the two giant rocks.
ReplyDeleteOh, I would not be running to the middle of that bridge to make it sway!!! I get nervous when I have to stop on a bridge or overpass for a red light!
ReplyDeleteLove the story though!
I would be afraid to cross that bridge.
ReplyDeleteJudy
Happy PFF
Howdy
ReplyDeleteHappy PFF.
Oh My what an exciting postcard.
Thank you so much for sharing this one today.
I am thrilled that you found it and your hubby filled in the rest of the story :)
I think I would be having heart failure half way across ,well at least on the return journey.
What a wonderful post .
Thank you so much.
Have a fabulous weekend.
Happy Trails
I would never be able to go on that bridge.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I would be able to make my way across. The space between the slats and the one rope rail would never be enough to reassure me that I wouldn't plunge to my death. If someone started rocking the bridge.....I'd probably have a heart attack!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great memory and a great postcard.
ReplyDeleteI hate heights - I could never go on a bridge like that!
A tremendous view , but I agree with Steviewren's comment !
ReplyDeleteOMGosh! That bridge does not look like something I would enjoy crossing! I can see why she was never told "the whole truth", LOL!
ReplyDelete