Day 11: Ballygally - Belfast
What joy to be wakened by sunshine streaming in the Castle windows. Dawn breaks at about 4.30 am in this midsummer season and darkness falls about 11.00. So I really enjoyed the photo opportunities prior to our departure along the Antrim Coast to the amazing city of Belfast. It is a Victorian City which the architecture reflects. We enjoyed a coach tour of the city prior to our afternoon's walking tour in this superb sunshine.
The coach then picked us up to drive us to the newly developing dockside which was preparing for the arrival of all the tall ships. Flags are flying every where and all the flower baskets are breathtaking.
Undeniably the feature is the new state of the art Titanic Belfast Building built on the shipyard where the Titanic was built. Our 3 hours there just flashed by.
Many of our wonderful group members have already left and the rest of us will be travelling to Dublin at 6.00 am tomorrow.
Tuesday, 30 June 2015
Monday, 29 June 2015
Day 10: Derry - Ballygully Bay
By now all of the men are infected with Peter's bug & one admitted to hospital in Derry. A couple of the women have a lesser version. Peter is certainly sitting on the bus each day but extremely unwell despite 5 days of antibiotics. He is sleeping most of the time he's not coughing so actually not seeing much of Ireland.
We boarded the coach early this morning and were educated on the bloody history of Northern Ireland by a highly qualified Buddhist tour guide who was delightfully objective about the years of pointless conflict. There was no personal bias on the commentary despite his Irish heritage. See FB photos for a couple of outstanding new architectural features of the rebuild.
The next tourist stop was to explore the Giant's Causeway. Many warnings to take care in the soft (wet) Irish weather that typifies our tour. There is a magnificent new tourist centre erected now so that provided a comfortable refuge.
The drive down the scenic Antrim Coast would have revealed breath-taking beauty I'm sure if we could have seen it.
Our accommodation tonight is in the Bally gully Castle which dates from 1625, complete with the resident ghost of the wife of Lord Shaw who threw her from the top turret once she had produced his heir. I'll report on that in the morning. I am hoping to put some photos of the castle on FB if the weather clears in the morning.
By now all of the men are infected with Peter's bug & one admitted to hospital in Derry. A couple of the women have a lesser version. Peter is certainly sitting on the bus each day but extremely unwell despite 5 days of antibiotics. He is sleeping most of the time he's not coughing so actually not seeing much of Ireland.
We boarded the coach early this morning and were educated on the bloody history of Northern Ireland by a highly qualified Buddhist tour guide who was delightfully objective about the years of pointless conflict. There was no personal bias on the commentary despite his Irish heritage. See FB photos for a couple of outstanding new architectural features of the rebuild.
The next tourist stop was to explore the Giant's Causeway. Many warnings to take care in the soft (wet) Irish weather that typifies our tour. There is a magnificent new tourist centre erected now so that provided a comfortable refuge.
The drive down the scenic Antrim Coast would have revealed breath-taking beauty I'm sure if we could have seen it.
Our accommodation tonight is in the Bally gully Castle which dates from 1625, complete with the resident ghost of the wife of Lord Shaw who threw her from the top turret once she had produced his heir. I'll report on that in the morning. I am hoping to put some photos of the castle on FB if the weather clears in the morning.
Sunday, 28 June 2015
Day 9: Galway - Derry
Our Saint Dylan (tour guide) has a wonderful system of treats and this morning's treat was a scone and coffee at the enchanting village of Cong. This has an identity thanks to the movie of yesteryear "The Quiet Man" (See FB photos). Lovely to see some sunshine.
Our journey took us through County Sligo, stopping to look at the final resting place of WB Yeats. This was cut short by the bitterly cold winds.
We drove several more hours to stop for an exceedingly late lunch in Beleek where we settled in to the famous pottery factory. We were expecting to have a full tour of the artisans at work, but on a Sunday afternoon, they weren't at work at all. Oh dear, we just had to fill in time in the showroom. I had a strong urge to buy the piece photographed on FB. It's nice. It's £75,000. It 's still there.
Seeing we now had spare time, we detoured to Mullaghmore Head in Donegal Bay where Lord Mountbatten was assassinated. Very relevant so soon after Prince Charles'visit.
On we journeyed through the Blue Stack Mountains to reach our hotel in the ancient walled city of Derry.
A quick dinner and then round the corner to another evening of song and dance - Peter's first. He seems to have a relapse, but is not prepared to miss out for a 3rd time. About half our group now have his bug so not a happy lot.
Our Saint Dylan (tour guide) has a wonderful system of treats and this morning's treat was a scone and coffee at the enchanting village of Cong. This has an identity thanks to the movie of yesteryear "The Quiet Man" (See FB photos). Lovely to see some sunshine.
Our journey took us through County Sligo, stopping to look at the final resting place of WB Yeats. This was cut short by the bitterly cold winds.
We drove several more hours to stop for an exceedingly late lunch in Beleek where we settled in to the famous pottery factory. We were expecting to have a full tour of the artisans at work, but on a Sunday afternoon, they weren't at work at all. Oh dear, we just had to fill in time in the showroom. I had a strong urge to buy the piece photographed on FB. It's nice. It's £75,000. It 's still there.
Seeing we now had spare time, we detoured to Mullaghmore Head in Donegal Bay where Lord Mountbatten was assassinated. Very relevant so soon after Prince Charles'visit.
On we journeyed through the Blue Stack Mountains to reach our hotel in the ancient walled city of Derry.
A quick dinner and then round the corner to another evening of song and dance - Peter's first. He seems to have a relapse, but is not prepared to miss out for a 3rd time. About half our group now have his bug so not a happy lot.
Saturday, 27 June 2015
Day 8: Galway & Connemara experience.
I must first tell you of our journey from Killarney by taxi yesterday afternoon with driver Dougal O'Donahue who entertained us with his blarney for not only the 3 hour journey but for the additional half hour it took him to find the Connemara Coast. Yes, Insight had told him our destination; no he hadn't written it down - he didn't have a pen on him; no he didn't have a GPS - he couldn't work them.
We stopped en route at Adar. (I posted a photo of that enchanting tourist town yesterday). It was the first day of sunshine that we've had. There were 2 weddings being celebrated and they totally overtook the town.
Then we did the 2 hour run to Galway at which point our Dougal started asking me where to go. He turned left for awhile, then turned right for a change, then tried a roundabout and chose a random exit from that down a country lane. Why would the Connemara Coast be down a country lane? When we finally came to a halt for a flock of endearing Connemara sheep (those long-haired ones with black faces) he got out and asked another driver where to go. "Oh no, if you want to get there I wouldn't start from here." Well, how do you get out of here with a flock of sheep in front of you and a queue of cars behind you on one of Ireland's little narrow bog roads? With extreme difficulty accompanied by raucous laughter. But get here we did just in time for tea, for sure. And of course we're in this wonderful hotel right on the wild coast (as shown in yesterday's photo)
Now that you've caught up with yesterday, let's share today.
It began with the ghastly news that 3 other men of our group have succumbed to Peter's bug. Why has it taken 8 days, and why all men? So our tour guide did a block booking with the doctor and we have yet to hear the outcome.
So we piled into our coach without those men and their wives, but with Peter who felt well enough to go on his first optional tour. I even took photos to prove it. They're on FB. The day dawned overcast and drizzly - a soft Irish day. Our first stop was at the magnificent Connemara marble factory (see FB photos). The usual shopping frenzy followed a fascinating talk by Ambrose, father of Ambrose who saw us safely across the road to the quaint house (see FB photo of Peter and me warming ourselves by the peat fire). Grandson Ambrose was not on duty today as it is Saturday. This branch of the factory specialised in multi-coloured jewelry. It was grand to be sure, but I didn't like it. A major saving of many euros.
As we moved on for the long scenic drive through the rugged landscape of Connemara with its " wonderland of trout-filled rivers, lakes and silent hills" the weather deteriorated and we missed the lot. The tour guide announced our arrival at our primary destination which was the palatial Kylemore Abbey, billed as one of Ireland's greatest neo-Gothic castles on the shores of a picturesque lake. So we donned our wet weather gear and opened our umbrellas and sloshed off to see it. Well, blow me, it stopped raining. Peter and I headed off for a lunch-time soup and by the time we had consumed great bowls of steaming soup, slabs of black Irish bread and my daily tonic of Irish coffee, there was the sun to greet us and illuminate this spectacular piece of architecture. We meandered further around the shores of the lake, looking for the fairies which I'm sure inhabited such enchanting woodlands. All to the accompaniment of joyous songbirds celebrating the sun's appearance. By the time we had to return to the coach, the magic ended and the rain fell. Certainly the highlight of our first Irish week (which needed highlighting)
Peter is now tucked up back in our room sleeping off the day before dinner.
I must first tell you of our journey from Killarney by taxi yesterday afternoon with driver Dougal O'Donahue who entertained us with his blarney for not only the 3 hour journey but for the additional half hour it took him to find the Connemara Coast. Yes, Insight had told him our destination; no he hadn't written it down - he didn't have a pen on him; no he didn't have a GPS - he couldn't work them.
We stopped en route at Adar. (I posted a photo of that enchanting tourist town yesterday). It was the first day of sunshine that we've had. There were 2 weddings being celebrated and they totally overtook the town.
Then we did the 2 hour run to Galway at which point our Dougal started asking me where to go. He turned left for awhile, then turned right for a change, then tried a roundabout and chose a random exit from that down a country lane. Why would the Connemara Coast be down a country lane? When we finally came to a halt for a flock of endearing Connemara sheep (those long-haired ones with black faces) he got out and asked another driver where to go. "Oh no, if you want to get there I wouldn't start from here." Well, how do you get out of here with a flock of sheep in front of you and a queue of cars behind you on one of Ireland's little narrow bog roads? With extreme difficulty accompanied by raucous laughter. But get here we did just in time for tea, for sure. And of course we're in this wonderful hotel right on the wild coast (as shown in yesterday's photo)
Now that you've caught up with yesterday, let's share today.
It began with the ghastly news that 3 other men of our group have succumbed to Peter's bug. Why has it taken 8 days, and why all men? So our tour guide did a block booking with the doctor and we have yet to hear the outcome.
So we piled into our coach without those men and their wives, but with Peter who felt well enough to go on his first optional tour. I even took photos to prove it. They're on FB. The day dawned overcast and drizzly - a soft Irish day. Our first stop was at the magnificent Connemara marble factory (see FB photos). The usual shopping frenzy followed a fascinating talk by Ambrose, father of Ambrose who saw us safely across the road to the quaint house (see FB photo of Peter and me warming ourselves by the peat fire). Grandson Ambrose was not on duty today as it is Saturday. This branch of the factory specialised in multi-coloured jewelry. It was grand to be sure, but I didn't like it. A major saving of many euros.
As we moved on for the long scenic drive through the rugged landscape of Connemara with its " wonderland of trout-filled rivers, lakes and silent hills" the weather deteriorated and we missed the lot. The tour guide announced our arrival at our primary destination which was the palatial Kylemore Abbey, billed as one of Ireland's greatest neo-Gothic castles on the shores of a picturesque lake. So we donned our wet weather gear and opened our umbrellas and sloshed off to see it. Well, blow me, it stopped raining. Peter and I headed off for a lunch-time soup and by the time we had consumed great bowls of steaming soup, slabs of black Irish bread and my daily tonic of Irish coffee, there was the sun to greet us and illuminate this spectacular piece of architecture. We meandered further around the shores of the lake, looking for the fairies which I'm sure inhabited such enchanting woodlands. All to the accompaniment of joyous songbirds celebrating the sun's appearance. By the time we had to return to the coach, the magic ended and the rain fell. Certainly the highlight of our first Irish week (which needed highlighting)
Peter is now tucked up back in our room sleeping off the day before dinner.
Friday, 26 June 2015
Day 7: Killarney - Galway
Yesterday's goal was to get Peter up and walking which we achieved twice. I must confess I did not waste time in between the two gentle perambulations and now am far more familiar with the stock in each of them.
In the evening I enticed Peter into the hotel dining room to look at some real food -the first he's had in Ireland. Mashed potato was a jolly fine start. Before he'd eaten many spoonsful, I had an urge to check whether the meal that night was included in our trip package (for the insurance claim). I dad up to our room to hear our phone ringing. It was our tour guide with an idea. Why not put Peter in a taxi, drive to Galway, put him back in bed there and party with the group? Tomorrow Peter could stay in bed and I could go out and play on the Cliffs of Moher with the group. 😀 What an outrageous suggestion.
DONE!!!!
I have my usual hair appointment this morning and then the taxi will pick us up at 2.30 and drive us to Galway. 👱
Yesterday's goal was to get Peter up and walking which we achieved twice. I must confess I did not waste time in between the two gentle perambulations and now am far more familiar with the stock in each of them.
In the evening I enticed Peter into the hotel dining room to look at some real food -the first he's had in Ireland. Mashed potato was a jolly fine start. Before he'd eaten many spoonsful, I had an urge to check whether the meal that night was included in our trip package (for the insurance claim). I dad up to our room to hear our phone ringing. It was our tour guide with an idea. Why not put Peter in a taxi, drive to Galway, put him back in bed there and party with the group? Tomorrow Peter could stay in bed and I could go out and play on the Cliffs of Moher with the group. 😀 What an outrageous suggestion.
DONE!!!!
I have my usual hair appointment this morning and then the taxi will pick us up at 2.30 and drive us to Galway. 👱
Thursday, 25 June 2015
Day 6: Killarney. As the doctor predicted, Peter is unable to travel further so we have had to withdraw from our tour. This has put me into a whole different world of Insurance and Customer Service Support team of Insight tours. The doctor hoped that the barrow load of drugs Peter is now taking will restore him to mobility so we can rejoin the tour in Galway in 3 days time. Miraculously the Killarney hotel can accommodate us until Saturday.
all my morning was taken up with arrangements for Peter, but in the afternoon I was able to go out and play. Our tour guide (the Welsh Dylan) had organised a team of 5 horses & carts (jarvies) to go out to meet the group returning from their Ring of Kerry tour and bring them back into town. One of these - Tim and his girl Judy - took me out to rendezvous with the group.
Tim has three sister, all nuns, who emigrated to NZ and live at the Holy Cross Seminary in Ponsonby where I go for Speech exams each year. So I know them!! One of life's little miracles, eh. Sure, sure.
Apparently the weather had been dreadful on the Ring of Kerry trip and the group could see nothing nor get out of the bus. For the horse and cart tour the weather was perfect.
at night I went with the group to another spectacular evening of Irish music, song and dance performed by world champion artists.
This morning I waved goodbye to my tour group. Today's goal is to get Peter out of bed, walking.
all my morning was taken up with arrangements for Peter, but in the afternoon I was able to go out and play. Our tour guide (the Welsh Dylan) had organised a team of 5 horses & carts (jarvies) to go out to meet the group returning from their Ring of Kerry tour and bring them back into town. One of these - Tim and his girl Judy - took me out to rendezvous with the group.
Tim has three sister, all nuns, who emigrated to NZ and live at the Holy Cross Seminary in Ponsonby where I go for Speech exams each year. So I know them!! One of life's little miracles, eh. Sure, sure.
Apparently the weather had been dreadful on the Ring of Kerry trip and the group could see nothing nor get out of the bus. For the horse and cart tour the weather was perfect.
at night I went with the group to another spectacular evening of Irish music, song and dance performed by world champion artists.
This morning I waved goodbye to my tour group. Today's goal is to get Peter out of bed, walking.
Wednesday, 24 June 2015
Day 4: Cork -Killarney
I actually wrote all this up in great detail and sent it to you last night but omitted to push Save first so you missed out on it all. Now I've been locked out of FB so you're not getting that contact either.
I'll do a condensed version of our side trip to Cobh which was the last port of call of the Titanic. There is a superb Heritage Centre including a tribute to the sinking of the Lusitania. I will try to put photos onto FB when/I gain access later in the day.
We then drove into Europe's oldest trading covered food market located in Cork itself. Anything at all edible is to be found there.
And so on to the ruined Blarney Castle before crossing the Derrynasaggart Mountains to Killarney.
Day 5: Ring of Kerry Experience.
Well for us it was the Find A Doctor Experience. After half an hour with an elderly retired doctor and a pharmacist both of whom were hilariously full of the blarney we left with half the pharmacy and the recommendation to me that if that didn't cure Peter then I was to shoot him. You'll read of the outcome in the Herald. Peter has been advised to rest for a couple of days and then join the tour later on. I'll confirm with our tour guide tonight on their return as to the practicality of that suggestion.will reach anyone trying to follow our saga.
Now I'll save this so that hopefully it
I actually wrote all this up in great detail and sent it to you last night but omitted to push Save first so you missed out on it all. Now I've been locked out of FB so you're not getting that contact either.
I'll do a condensed version of our side trip to Cobh which was the last port of call of the Titanic. There is a superb Heritage Centre including a tribute to the sinking of the Lusitania. I will try to put photos onto FB when/I gain access later in the day.
We then drove into Europe's oldest trading covered food market located in Cork itself. Anything at all edible is to be found there.
And so on to the ruined Blarney Castle before crossing the Derrynasaggart Mountains to Killarney.
Day 5: Ring of Kerry Experience.
Well for us it was the Find A Doctor Experience. After half an hour with an elderly retired doctor and a pharmacist both of whom were hilariously full of the blarney we left with half the pharmacy and the recommendation to me that if that didn't cure Peter then I was to shoot him. You'll read of the outcome in the Herald. Peter has been advised to rest for a couple of days and then join the tour later on. I'll confirm with our tour guide tonight on their return as to the practicality of that suggestion.will reach anyone trying to follow our saga.
Now I'll save this so that hopefully it
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)