2019 UK Trip

We were going to do the Ring of Kerry but after reading the reviews of the 3 hour drive and tricky navigation, we decided to give this a miss. Next time!

Instead we went for another walk in town and found coffee and a few more knick-knacks. We then drove to the Torc waterfall near Killarney. Great choice. Not only was it beautiful but we got our exercise in as well.

Had lunch and completed the one hour drive to Longueville House. This is our upmarket stay. A short walk around the property (didn’t see the slug patrol – ducks);

drinks in the lounge; and then dressed for our sumptuous dinner. Funniest thing when Wayne went to put on his good black trousers – they wouldn’t fit. For a few minutes he lamented all the drinking and eating. He then realised he had accidentally taken Matt’s trousers. Now filthy that he has lugged them around using up space in his bag (which he now needs for all his new t-shirts).

Went for a short walk to settle dinner and retired to the drawing room for after-dinner drinks. Mark had to drink a sifter of Apple brandy because they ran out of Baileys. Who would have thought an Irish Bar would run out of Baileys?

A beautiful finale to a much-needed slower day for our group of weary travellers.

Did a quick walk of Galway and then breakfast at our B&B. Wayne swore he was seeing double and sure enough the owners were twins. We hadn’t put that together when we checked-in. Just thought that guy was quick on his feet.

This was our biggest driving day of the trip. We went via the Cliffs of Moher (2 hour drive). Stopped at the organic chocolate factory and Wayne and Donna assisted the 2019 revenue. Stopped at Doolan and tapped into the wifi of McGahan’s pub to get State of Origin updates. It had started and we managed to have a quick conversation with our passionate Caitlin at this pub.

From then, we had to rely on updates as we were walking the majestic Cliffs of Moher. We chose the path to the right first and Wayne used the rock wall to make it most of the way before it stopped. He chose to turn back and wait for us. It was scary to see the people willing to stand so close to the edge to take a photo.

We came back to the centre of the walk, regrouped and walked to the left. By this time it was raining and a heavy mist had descended over the Cliffs. There was a rock wall most of the way this time so Wayne made the photo.

Wet and hungry, we got back in the car. Siri took us the route which had a ferry but Wayne (only his paper map will do as he and Siri do not get on) managed to over-ride Siri and we arrived in Killarney about 6pm.

A long day of travelling so the four amigos did a short walk into town. Donna gave the boys a lesson on the snap dragon flower and a random statue. We walked back and had pizza and beer (wine for Donna) at a Craft beer place on the way.

Set off early from Belfast. He or she who shall not be named was at the wheel. Twice around the roundabout and we were out of there. Conflicts with Siri, roadworks requiring a complete re-route, tractors, and roundabouts tested this driver but he came through with flying colours.

We took a detour to Ballintubber Abbey where Mark’s grandmother’s ashes had been placed. It was very special to see and visit her final resting place.

We arrived in Galway about 3pm Wayne and I went for an exploratory walk through the tourist-heavy town and along the beautiful river.

We then caught up with friends, Jo and Dave from Sarina, who had been in Belfast prior to our arrival there. We didn’t think our paths would cross but luck of the Irish, here in Galway, we were able to spend a few hours together.

The three boys had us in stitches as they each regaled travel stories. Wayne and Dave befriended an Irishman also named Dave. This guy loved ‘Home and Away’, had travelled to Australia before so had many points to clarify, and showed off his Connacht rugby green room to the awe-struck duo.

Wayne and Mark bought another shirt in honour of the pub – Murty Rabbits.

Wayne and I went for a walk to find a post office so we could post the car park card back to Ray. Finally found one after two failed attempts but it didn’t open until 9am. Saw Queen’s University.

Decided to do the hop on hop off bus rather than the black cabs. Got caught between hagglers, each vying for their own bus company. Talk about intense. We finally bit the bullet and bought a ticket.

Got off at the Titanic Museum. It was really well put together but there were so many people. So many that it was difficult to read and appreciate all the displays. Quite amazing to see the ships they managed to design and build so long ago. So somber to read the loss of life.

We then got aboard the bus again (after Donna and I went in a different direction to the boys and I nearly fell in a water display trying to catch up with them). Raining so we had to go back down the stairs and sit inside.

Drove up the long and beautiful road to Parliament House. Absolutely beautiful but no one has sat there for two years so there is no ruling government.

Got off at the International Peace Wall and walked. Amazing wall and amazing walk through Belfast. Saw their pyres of crates ready for bonfires on July 12 (Ulster Protestant celebration).

Found a shop with my maiden name. A chicken shop – another link to Wayne as we all know his favourite dinner. Saw lots of flags and orange flowers.

Lo and behold, we ran into Pam and Ian again, the couple we met in Inverness.

Had cheap drinks and dinner at ‘The Bridge House’, a Weatherspoon pub that is like a RSL. Raining as we walked home.

Wayne and Mark retrieved our car for the next week and we set off for Belfast. Minor hiccup looking for a service station with a bathroom but apart from that, an uneventful drive to the Giant’s Causeway, 40000 columns of basalt caused by rapid cooling after a volcanic explosion.

We started with the moderate blue walk and progressed to the spectacular red walk. Wayne met his fear of heights head-on and climbed two parts that were narrow and high. At one stage just before a narrow set of stairs at the peak, he thought he was going to pass out. With heaps of people single file in front and behind us, it would have been an interesting extraction.

Reward: Ice-cream on the lawn. Downside: Boys didn’t take their shirts off like they’re supposed to when it’s sunny in Ireland.

We certainly jagged glorious weather.

We then continued the drive to Belfast. Once again, Wayne has organised brilliant accommodation. Central to everything. We went for a walk to get our bearings and discovered Sunday roast was happening at ‘The Cloth Ear’.

With Wayne desiring a roast since being overseas (Sunday roast only happens on Sunday), we headed directly there. Went to order and of course, roasts had run out. Unbelievable – we were told we should have come in at lunch. We think that was our last chance as we leave Ireland in the morning next Sunday.

The dinner we ordered was still beautiful – not a roast but yummy. We stopped in at the ‘Filthy McNasty’ and had a drink. An interesting bar – we made up 1/3 of the customers.

A very fitting name.

Yesterday was probably one of our most touristy days. We slept in (me until 7:30am- my latest sleep in since forever – that is why my blog has fallen behind – I didn’t have time yesterday morning + we had some trouble with the internet).

After a much-needed ‘light’ breakfast of fruit, yoghurt and cornflakes, we walked the three km to Kilmainham Gaol. Such an interesting tour – learnt so much about Irish history. Our guide, Mick was a Geoffrey Rush doppelgänger. Not only did he look a little like him, but he spoke theatrically and passionately, with lots of hand flourishes .

On the way back, we popped into the Guinness Factory – we could have spent a day there. Wayne declared his lunch, beef and Guinness stew, as the best on tour so far. He also had a Guinness and by the end, said he liked it. Needless to say, both Mark and I enjoyed our Guinness. Donna has her first beer, an IPA with her lunch and then had a mini Guinness taster later. This factory is a total recommendation for anyone who visits Dublin… but allow time.

In the afternoon, Wayne and I met up with our two friends, Jeanmarc and David from our Vietnam tour two years ago. We met them at the Trinity Bar. It was so surreal catching up with them in their home country. Donna and Mark joined the four of us and we got lots of good advice from our Irish friends, including how to pronounce gaol (g -ail).

In this bar, he who shall not be named (what happens on tour stays on tour) made the faux pas of commenting on the way our waitress ‘glided’ through the bar. Many references have been made to that comment since then, including Donna asking if she and I glide. We were likened to clod-hopping like the horses that take the visitors along the cobbled streets. Hmmmm!

We stayed at the Trinity for awhile after Jeanmarc and David left us, listening to a young singer and then went to the Porterhouse Temple Bar (recommended by Jeanmarc and David). Heard a fantastic Irish band and enjoyed dinner and a few more ales/Pimms.

A great day in Dublin. Wish we had longer.

Another slow start to day and then a walk by the Clyde River in Glasgow. Good to stretch the legs. Had breakfast at Social Bite, a sandwich shop that employs the homeless and gives all its profits to assist the homeless. Donna and I just loved the idea. They also encouraged paying forward which enables someone without resources to get a cup of coffee or a meal.

We got out of Glasgow without incident except Wayne accidentally took our host, Raymond’s car park card. Raymond had generously left us his card which meant parking was only 5 pound a day. He had also provided croissants, packets of cornflakes, milk and washing satchels – a very generous host and the apartment was so close to the city centre.

We stopped at Falkirk on the way to the Edinburgh airport. Saw ‘The Kelpies’, the largest equine sculptures in the world (Kelpies are shape-shifting water spirits that inhabit Scottish lochs and pools). Mark and Wayne were amazed and rated this visit as a highlight of their Scottish tour. I was singing ‘The Horses’ by Daryl Braithwaite in my head.

We had to brave the rain to catch our plane. Our trip was uneventful, despite not having seats B or E (shows how small it was). I was however questioned and had my passport taken away for about 5 minutes by the immigration officials in Dublin. Not sure what that was about.

We had a great cab driver who gave us a running commentary as we drove into town. Cabbie didn’t take card so Wayne had to do the mad dash to the nearest Spar to get Euros out at the ATM. Apartment has a great view.

We walked to the oldest pub in Dublin, ‘The Brazen Head’ and enjoyed dinner and drink. Even befriended an American gentleman who shouted us drinks after he left our little nook.Love Dublin.

Who needs a hop-on, hop-off bus when we have our own tour guide. Donna stepped up and led us on a walking tour of the main sights in Glasgow.

We may have confused the People’s Palace for the carpet factory but apart from that we saw the Doulton Fountain, the Cathedral, the Tolbooth, the University , and the Barras, a market area that opens on Saturday and Sunday.

The People’s Castle was a great museum. Interesting to see the display on alcohol consumption and the device used to take intoxicated persons to the watch house. Hopefully, Wayne or Mark won’t need this during our stay in Glasgow.

Loved the art work on the buildings.

We gave a resounding round of applause for these guys working on the scaffolding of a building. They were passing each plank up the seven storeys individually.

Came back and had lunch at Stack and Still, a pancake place. Nice but too much and too rich.

In the afternoon, we caught a cab to the Celtic stadium and did a tour with an enthusiastic guide named Martin. Wayne was very excited.

We dropped into a pub called Drum and Monkey. We elected to come home, put on our Pjs and have a few drinks and take away in the comfort of the apartment. Donna and Mark found some lovely Indian food. A nice night in…

A day communing with Nature. We all enjoyed a leisurely start to the day – lazing in bed until breakfast at 8. Saw deer grazing outside the window.

We went for a two hour walk through the countryside and beside two lochs. Saw more deer and the fastest rabbit in the world. Wayne and Mark were determined to locate our position on the map, so frequent stops for calibration.

We then did a three hour cruise on Loch Ness and to Urqhart Castle. For one hour, we were entertained by a narrator with a very heavy Scottish accent (so again, picking up about every third word). Just as we were about to walk off to see the castle, he asked if anyone had Scottish clan. Wayne’s hand shot up and next minute Wayne was being serenaded with a Gordon song.

We viewed the castle for an hour and dipped our hands into the loch before joining a return boat. This time we had a female guide, Linda and she mesmerised us with the theories of the monster. A great story teller and a lot easier to understand.

We were invited by fellow Australians, Pam and Ian, to join them for dinner at the Dore inn. A shuttle bus picked us up and drove us the 30 minutes there and back. Dinner was beautiful and both Wayne and Donna tried haggis. The drive back at about 8:30 was still in daylight. The sun was out and the views were spectacular.

Another relaxed start to the day. Sleep in, breakfast and a walk. Went past a lot of cattle and sheep. Was a little worried about the Highland bull who seemed to be eyeing us off as we wandered past. It may have been my pink jacket (I even took it off in case).

I made everyone turn around when we encountered the mob of cattle without an enclosure – particularly when I saw the huge white what-looked-like-a-Brahman bull staring us down like the Highland bull. No fence… I don’t think so! My pink jacket was tucked away by this point in time.

Started our drive to Glasgow. Towns of note if we ever return – Fort William which looked wonderful. This was the superseded by Glencoe. This was incredibly beautiful.. so beautiful that Mark pulled over – yes, Mark pulled over. Donna even had walk envy. It was magnificent and so many walking trails.

We also stopped at Luss, a village on Loch Lummond (Mark pulled over again -twice in one day), Another beautiful place in Scotland. 50p for parking and 30p for each of us to visit the bathroom.

Our drive into Glasgow was without incident and relatively stress-free (Wayne may not agree with that statement).

We were greeted by our apartment host, Raymond who gave us the complete run-down about the apartment and the city.

We did a quick walk of the city (we are 5 minutes from the city centre) and found a craft beer distillery one minute from the apartment. Pizza and drinks – a wonderful end to a day of travelling. Left the boys on the pub drinking whiskey chasers.