Cornwall

P&E at Lands End

Padstow Crowds

Padstow Marina

Today has been a Cornwall day. Set off this morning in patchy sunlight for Lands’ End. Had a good run and were there in about an hour. When we got there it was not very busy but by the time we left the tourist coaches had arrived.  It is quite picturesque and we were glad we had gone there. It was however cold and windy.

Next stop was Penzance and it is a lovely town. Had a cup of coffee and a look around the shops but unfortunately there was not enough time to linger in the 3 shoe shops in the area we were in. Phil was not unhappy with this outcome.

Moved on then to Long Rock to see St Michael’s Mount which,  at low tide can be reached via a granite causeway. No low tide while we were there and people were lining up to be ferried across on small boats.

Lunch was next on our agenda and we had heard that although Rick Stein’s Restaurant in Padstow required booking well ahead, you could eat at his Café.  We hadn’t done a lot of reading about Padstow so we motored into the centre of town to be greeted by a sea of pedestrians all over the roads. There had been no signage to say cars were not allowed but the pedestrians were a bit hard to budge. Found no available parks and managed to crawl through the crowds and tiny streets back to the Park and Ride outside of town. Jill had suggested this earlier but we had become accustomed to driving through the centre of towns and cities but nothing like this. This was on a Wednesday, hate to think what it is like on a weekend.

Lined up outside what we thought was the Café to get a seat. Ended up we were at the Fish and Chip Café - still the fish and chips were good. Walked down the road and saw the real café. Seems the Steins own most of Padstow so it’s hard not to be confused.

The women had a quick look around the shops while the men explored further around the inlet and the bay. It was stunningly beautiful even though the weather was not that great.

We came home via the coast road. It was of the narrower version of roads and on many occasions not room for two cars to pass each other let alone a tractor and trailer (yes we met one coming towards us). The view in parts was lovely but was mostly obscured by the hedges beside the road.

Plymouth

Phil at Mayflower Step Plaque

The Mayflower Steps

Plymouth Harbour



Plymouth Seafront Buildings

Left Bath and started our journey to Newquay in Cornwall. Phil had read that a good place to see was Glastonbury in Somerset so we went via some lesser roads to Glastonbury. Wish we could say that the visit was worth it but we are not able to, so will move on.  

We decided to make a stop in Plymouth in Devon as it wasn’t very far out of our way and the men (Phil and Dave) wanted to see the Mayflower.  Eileen did raise the issue of why would the Mayflower be in Plymouth when its’ historical significance was in Massachusetts. Still we got to Plymouth and set out to find the Mayflower in very rainy windy conditions. There was a sign that said Mayflower but we never saw it again and drove all about looking for where it might be.  Asked for directions and arrived at the Mayflower Steps Exhibit. This is where the Pilgrims left Plymouth on the Mayflower. Guess where the Mayflower is?  Massachusetts!

Anyway we had a look around and took photos. We thought Plymouth was a lovely place. Phil and Dave also went to the Francis Drake Memorial.

Set out for Newquay and we were doing well time wise on an extremely good road. A minute or two after Dave, who was navigating at the time said, we should be in Newquay at 5pm; we came to a grinding halt. Accident ahead and we were held up for 25 minutes while they cleared away the car that collided with Farmer Brown and his load of hay (yes they are allowed on major roads like motorways).  Tractor and trailer unharmed, car totalled.

Reached our accommodation and despite stairs once again it is very nice. Weather has been a bit ordinary though.

Bath

Parade Gardens

The Royal Crescent 

Tearoom, Bath Assembly Rooms

More Georgian Mansions, Great Pultenay St

Exploring Bath was now on the agenda for today and we set off in the sunshine for the 5 minute walk into town. Before we reached town, the rain had started to tumble down. Jill and Dave decided to do a tour of the Roman Baths but Phil and I weren’t keen so popped into the Tourist Information to have a look at what to do.

Decided that we wanted to see some other historical sights and they were up a big hill, so Eileen pointed out that they were conveniently on the Hop on Hop off bus route. So we boarded the bus for yet another city bus tour. The sun had come out again so we opted for the top deck. Had only gone a few stops when it started to rain again. We were prepared in waterproofs however E’s does not have a hood so out came the umbrella. It must have been quite a sight from the ground with someone with an umbrella up on the top of a bus. Well it did the job and by another couple of stops the rain had ceased again.

Got off the bus up the hill at the Royal Victoria Park named for the then Princess Victoria who visited in 1830 when she was 11.  We were told rather a funny story about how she felt insulted after her visit when she was described in the press as being dowdy and having fat ankles – she never came back to Bath in her lifetime. In fact, when Queen Victoria did a national tour to celebrate 50 years on the throne, she refused to stop in Bath (the train was on the way to Bristol and had to go through Bath), however QV ordered the train to go faster and had the blinds pulled down so she couldn’t be seen. Evidently QV was one to hold a grudge.

 We had a quick walk through the park to the Royal Crescent (a road of 30 houses laid out in a crescent) said to be a great example of Georgian architecture. From there we went to the Bath Assembly Rooms. E paid the €2 to go inside and see where the privileged gathered in the evenings in Georgian times for dancing and socialising, while in Bath to take the waters .

Next stop was the Jane Austen Centre which is not actually where she lived. We didn’t do the tour just went up to the 2^nd floor to the tearoom where we had the Ladies Afternoon Tea for lunch. A round of mixed sandwiches (smoked salmon & cream cheese, cucumber and cream cheese, ham and mustard and cheese and pickles) and a scone with rhubarb and ginger and strawberry jam with clotted cream and a cup of coffee each. Yummy and it was such a lovely setting.

Back on the bus to look at some more lovely historical buildings and then we did another bus tour of the outskirts of Bath. Yet again the rain started to come down. Not too heavy though. Bath is such a pretty city and we are glad we got to see a bit more of it today.

Waterford to Bath via Tenby

Waterford Crystal Showroom, Waterford, Ireland



Tenby Harbour, Wales

Bath on an Autumn Afternoon



Waterford to Tenby

Breakfasted at 8am so we could get an early start at the Waterford Crystal Factory. It was a very easy walk from the hotel. Spent a couple of hours choosing what we wanted to buy. Our purchases will be shipped home.  The Visa card may recover in time. Phil may not….  While we were there Lindy Milan from the Kerri Anne show was about to film a segment on Waterford.

We had a leisurely drive from Waterford through the south eastern Irish countryside to Roslare where we were to catch the ferry to Fishguard in Wales. Caught the Express boat that normally takes 2 hours to complete. Unfortunately we left a tiny bit late and then had to alter course to the south to try and miss the heavy seas. The Captain did a great job and although it was rough we all crossed without using the sick bags provided.

We docked about 5.45pm and had a lovely drive (although it was raining heavily) to Tenby Wales. Hardest part of the drive was finding our hotel. The GPS was no help as we didn’t have the street address. Have a room with a seaview and it is nice. Rather small bathroom however. Dinner was included with the room so it isn’t an expensive night. Dinner included a few dishes with leek so we know we are in Wales.

Tenby to Bath

Up and at it early once again this morning.  We enjoyed the lovely view with the sun shining on the water before going downstairs for our usual cooked English breakfast.  Once again packed everything into the car and drove down the hill into town for a look around Tenby. This included the walled part of the city which is a shopping area.  Tenby is a seaside holiday area so people were on the beach and swimming. Shops sell buckets and spades, wet suits, rubber rafts etc. It was a whole 19 degrees. People had come for the day with picnics – evidently the summer has been a bit of a disappointment with rain and overcast days, so they were making as much of the sunshine as possible.

On the road again for one of our easier drives mainly on the M4 motorway back into England to Bath. Think it only took about 2 and a half hours to do 126 miles (we have been finding 200 miles an all day journey some days).  Have booked into our accommodation – a guesthouse with period features (no lift once again. Phil and Dave have had to work hard getting those bags up the stairs).

Connemara to Waterford

View from the Sitting Room of our Suite

Galway Bay 

Part of the Burren

The Cliffs of Moher



Well as you can see we did not get to Cork. One thing we have done on this trip is underestimate the time needed to get anywhere. Today was such an example. We had originally planned a big day of sightseeing on the way to Cork, possibly Waterford.  This included the Cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry and the Lakes of Killarney before going onto Cork. After talking to a local at dinner last night we decided to rule out the Ring of Kerry.

Had a lovely birthday dinner with French champagne in our suite before dinner, a lovely 5 course dinner and even a birthday cake (Jill had kindly arranged). Naturally a big fuss was made of the cake – lights dimmed etc. and the whole restaurant sang happy birthday.

Drove back into Galway this morning and made our way to the seafront at Galway Bay. Had a stroll down the promenade and took the obligatory photos before hopping back in the car to head overland through the area called the Burren (barren hills) to the Cliffs of Moher . The cliffs are a big tourist destination on the coast about 50kms south of Galway. It took us 2 hours to get there from Connemara. The cliffs are a spectacular sight. When you stand on the cliffs and face south you are only 3000kms from New Foundland in Canada. No wonder the North Americans are frequent visitors to Ireland.

We then headed for Ennis with lunch on the way. By this time it was 2.30pm and we realised that we were just not going to be able to include Killarney or Cork on our journey. So we turned off at Limerick and headed for Waterford. This was only about 120kms but we did not get to Waterford until after 5.30pm and we had no stops. It was a really hard drive for the men today as it was mainly on Regional (to the Cliffs of Moher) and National roads. National roads are usually undivided roads with few if any passing lanes. Regional roads are narrower, take you through winding village main streets and sometimes involve stopping to let others coming the opposite way pass as the road is too narrow.

Waterford is home of the Waterford Crystal Factory. It is conveniently situated 700 metres from our hotel. A stop there in the morning is on the agenda.

Connemara Ireland

St PAtricks Cathedral Dublin

Dublin Castle 

Ballynahinch Castle Connemara

Castle from the Grounds

Grounds of Ballynahinch Castle

As we didn’t have to book out of the hotel until noon we decided to use the time to have a look around Dublin. We did quite a circuit which took in St Patrick’s Cathedral (built 1192), Christchurch Cathedral (1030), Dublin Castle (1715), City Hall (1775), Temple Bar (not quite as buzzing at 10am as it’s a nightclub area), Trinity College (1592), past the statue of Molly Malone and then St Stephen’s Green (1663). As you can see Dublin is a very historical place. A shame we didn’t have longer to see more.

Off then to Galway for 2 nights (or so I thought). The road to Galway is a Motorway with countryside not unlike Australia (apart from the sheep with black faces and the farmhouses). We were in Galway in no time (under 2 hours) and then lost the good time we had made up in a traffic jam caused by road works.  Have found Irish signage a little obscure at times and in one case one sign said to go straight and the next sign contradicted it and said to go right. Anyway we ended up on the correct road although as I previously mentioned we have no GPS and our maps are not the best.

We kept going through Galway and crossed onto Connemara and kept going and going – didn’t know Connemara was so big. When we got to our destination about 10 minutes east of Clifden it was a castle, Ballynahinch Castle. Our accommodation had been kept as a surprise for my birthday. We have a lovely room (actually it’s a suite as we got upgraded) that overlooks the river. Had a lovely meal last night in the Pub section of the castle and coffee (the coffee is delivered to your room free) and single malt back in our suite.  We are having my birthday dinner in the restaurant tonight. Know you are all thinking how good of Phil to do all this (castle, birthday dinner etc) well, I really have Jill to thank for the arrangements (with Phil’s approval of course) to make my birthday special.

Have had a lovely breakfast , I even ate the black pudding and Phil tried kippers (they were ok but don’t think they will be his favourite food) and Phil and Dave have gone out for a walk in the massive grounds of the castle. We are going into Clifden for lunch and are hoping to find a Laundromat (getting your washing done is such a pain on holidays).

We have a big day tomorrow as we have to go back via Galway and we want to take photos of Galway Bay. Don’t know whether we are staying in Cork or Waterford.

Dublin via Chester and Wales



Chester - The Rows

Welsh Farmland

Welsh Countryside

The Longest Place Name (Wales)

We bade Ambeside and our wonderful B&B hosts goodbye around 9.30am. Wanted to get  on the road so that we could beat the traffic to Chester. This was a good idea as the traffic was building up all day as it was the end of the Bank Holiday Weekend. Had a picturesque drive back through Windemere around the lake and then joined M6 the main highway that splits Manchester and Liverpool. Turned off this road and we were in Chester just after midday. We were fortunate to be able to book into our accommodation straight away.

Set out to explore Chester as soon as we could. A lot of Chester dates back to the Romans and the old town is circled by a wall. We walked most of the wall through town to the riverside and back past Chester Castle. It was time then to explore the shops. Some of these, called The Rows have shops situated above one another which are accessible by staircases from the street. It was a very picturesque shopping area filled with old world charm. Eileen did her mandatory shopping so that her suitcase will be even fuller than previously. Had a few drinks and dinner in an old fashioned pub and then caught a cab back to the hotel.

We were back on the road again this morning early as we had a ferry to catch at Holyhead on the Isle of Anglesea. We drove through Snowdonia National Park in Northern Wales which is lush and green. The weather was a bit dismal as it was cool with misting rain and fog. Still, the scenery was lovely. Crossed the Menai Strait onto Anglesey and stopped at the village with the longest name in the world.

Made it in good time for the ferry and we loaded the car on and have retired to the lounge for the crossing to Dublin. Have had our lunch and am writing this an hour into our 3 hour journey.

Well we reached Dublin safely and found our hotel without the aid of the GPS as it had no maps of Ireland loaded. We have been out for the customary drinks at an Irish Pub just down the road. Had dinner at the hotel and it was excellent.  Have had to familiarize ourselves with a new currency and are now dealing with Euros instead of pounds