This month we embark on a journey along the Torr Scenic Road along the coastline of Northern Ireland. We begin in the town of Cushendun with pretty Cornish cottages and a beautiful beach. The road runs under bridges and arches, passing bays, sandy beaches, harbors and strange rock formations. The scenery is a breathtaking with a grass so lush a green that it inspired the nickname Emerald Isle for Ireland. Edging the green pastures are rocks of water-roughened browns and grays dotted with spots of wildflowers that appear to grow impossibly in an area that rages against the sea. Translating these colors and emotions into our scrap pages will be a fabulous challenge.

Next, we will tour Dunluce Castle, a spectacular castle-crowned crag shaped when the sea cut deep into the rock. During a violent storm in the 16th Century, part of the castle broke off and the kitchen plunged into the sea killing all the cooks and kitchen-hands. There remains a dark hollow. Dunluce Castle is thought by many to be the most picturesque and romantic of Irish castles. And, of course, one haunted by sad maidens and fairy sprites.

Finally, we end at Ballycastle where we will enjoy spending our last few days at the Oul' Lammas Fair, the biggest annual event in the area. In Ballycastle, every Tuesday is fair day bringing farmers to market and folks in for fun. However, for the past 300 years, in August the last fair of the month is extended to include Monday as a celebration honoring harvest and stemming from the time of the sun god Lugh and his mortal mother Tailtiu, who died from exhaustion during planting season.  It is a fair not to be missed!

Get ready for an inspirational month courtesy of the Irish coastline!