CARDIFF-BATH-GLASTONBURY-PLYMOUTH

On the road at 8am to Bath this morning, it was funny to see it in the wet as it gave a completely different slant than when we visited there in 2007 with Matt and Michelle on a sunny hot day!

Went through the old baths- very interesting to go through, the water there is contaminated so cant touch it tho- there are swimming baths down the road.

Then on to Glastonbury to see the amazing ruins of the abby there where King Arthur is meant to be buried. It is in good nick for a ruin and it was really interesting to walk through. The abbotts kitchen had sun light pouring in through the lead light windows and the staff in traditional dress gave it a very authentic feeling.

We walked around the streets after and boy are there some freaky alternative lifestylers living there- see the girls in pink in the photo today- and they were the mild ones. Bet they all smoke a bit of hooch at the Glastonebury festival when its on!

Then we drove to somewhere?? for a stop to have devonshire teas and scones with cream and jam- was yummy! Back on the bus and its pouring again!
Into Plymouth the naval port to our hotel and its a 2 night stay which is great. We had a yucky interconnecting room right in front of all the lifts so decided this time to go and ask to be moved if a room was free- the staff were lovely and moved us from the 3rd to the top- 8th floor and on a hallway of our own, facing the port this time- great. So well looked after- especially when you are on your honeymoon after 23 years!!!!

We arent doing the optinal dinner tonight as need to catch up with things at home and will have a quiet night.

Hey Mum- l0ok at my cap today, I wore it in your honour- Gray laughed so I smacked him!

DAY 21 WATERFORD- CARDIFF, WALES

Well it was an early start today, and we were up at 5.15am!! Got some stuff sorted then out the door and on the road by 7am as we had to get the ferry from Rosslare in Ireland to Cardiff. It was a 4 hour crossing this time and even though the water looked calm we were all staggering around a bit, trying to walk in a straight line as the swell was pretty good and we were on a smaller ferry.

Everyone was tired so a more subdued bunch today! However, we did manage to be rather raucous when Gray and I had a go at this game where you jump on lit pads to follow music and dance moves- have some VERY funny video g Graeme- who of course dances to his own tune!!

Docked in Wales at 1pm and on to the road again to drive from one side of Wales to the other. Actually only took a couple of hours or so, then those of us not going through Cardiff castle went for a walk round town. Mainly young people- teenage girls with tonnes of make up and lots of overtly gay guys- was very interesting people watching!

Went back to get ready for our welsh banquet to find that Graemes suitcase was full of very wet clothes!! All the top of his case was saturated and it turned out another 4 cases had mysteriously got wet too, although not as bad as Grays. What a pain as all his dress shirts and tops were really wet with water from goodness knows where?? The black from the outside of the suitcase then ran on his best dress shirt and stained it?! Not such a good day today lol!

Anyhow, our room looked like a Chinese laundry- and what a weird room it was. It only had an internal window that looked back into the open lobby and over the top of the reception desk! Have to make sure we had the curtains closed! In the pic it of the lobby with the white girders, our room was the one just to the right of the central post where the light shades are hanging above reception! I woke disorientated in the night and felt my way to the curtains and pulled them to see where I was- thank god no-one was watching!!!

Anyhow, off to the banquet in Cardiff castle with song and dance and yes- you guessed it, Viking Chief Graeme gets pulled up yet AGAIN- this time with a twist, he was dressed as a welsh woman haha!! It was very funny to say the least but lace just doesn’t do it for guys! A good night was had by all with some beautiful classically trained voices (not Graemes!)

DAY 20 - KILLARNEY- BLARNEY-WATERFORD

We were able to sleep in till 7.15am today which was great. The Killarney Avenue hotel is by far the best so far, it has tonnes of olde worlde charm and is so central plus they go all out with those little touches for you.

We went for our pony and trap ride at 9am through the national park with "Robert" the horse pulling us- poor bugger as there are 8 people on board and he had steam coming off him by the time we got back. But it was a lovely ride with some spectacular views of lakes, castles and swans everywhere.

Then back to the hotel and off at 10am to Blarney Castle just ouf of Cork, where we met us with Karl and Grace. We have been internet friends for 12 years but this was the first time we had met. Found them no worries and had a really great couple of hours with them looking around the castle and grounds. Of course had to climb to the top- kiss the blarney stone and get the picture, so we are now full of the gift of the gab!

Had a fab time catching up and listening to their true blue Irish accents although I think Karl you must have been throwing in some gaelic here and there, just to trick me!!!! We all had lunch together then said our goodbyes, Karl armed with a "Kia Ora Bro" t-shirt and us with a wooden carving Karl had made himself. Such a neat couple and we look forward to a bit more laughter when we get back to Ireland another time.

On to Waterford where we looked round their showroom, although the company has bascially gone bust and there is a recovery package in place, with the production now moving to the Czech replublic which is a pity. Very elaborate pieces which made you scared to sneeze hard!

We are now in our hotel for the night in Waterford then a very early start tomorrow as we have a ferry crossing first thing back to Wales.

DAY 19 - LIMERICK- RING OF KERRY-KILLARNEY

Funny our tour director asked us how our room was last night as he asked for the honeymon room/suite for us, with a view - we were put in the 3rd floor and the view was all the air cond. units for that floor and it was in the smokers wing!!! Richard just shook his head and said he doesnt know ab0ut hotel staff! It was a huge room tho and nice enough.

On the road at 8am today- weather is blustery and wet as we drive towards the ring of kerry. Stopped at the red fox tavern- complete with a scared looking stuffed red fox, where we got chicken sandwiches which were very chunky! Went and had a look at some of the little ponies they had at the back of the tavern- stroppy little beggars trying to show each other who was boss!

Then onto the windy roads to the ring of kerry- everyone who has been has said it is lovely but our photos today show you we missed it all in the rain and mist!!!!! SO so wet, it seemed like a waste to be there but still got some glimpses of the Scotland like landscape- very rugged and strewn with stone and rock (Gods rock salt Danni!!)

We have arrived in Killarney at 4.30pm and all travel weary- too many late nights I think! We are meeting with our group for dinner tonight and then we will get back to speak to Danni as it is her 13th birthday in NZ time.

Tomorrow if the weather is ok we are going on a 'jaunting buggy ride' with a horse and cart

around the national park before setting off to Blarney castle and meeting Karl our irish friends there.

Later- back from a fab meal of italian pizzas, beer and cheescake!! Have topped our previous high of paying $11 for a heineken, This was $19 for a 660ml bottle of beer- s.h.o.c.k.i.n.g! but when in Ireland, do as the irish do- and it was bloody nice beer!

This hotel in Killarney is so flash I cant believe trafalgar has us staying here! Richard the tour director obviously said we were on our honeymoon again cos even though we are the only ones with an inter connecting door (next to the frenchman who coughs and hoicks all the time!) we found hand made chocolates in our room, robes and slippers- which we were surprised to hear the others havent got. Very nice touches.

Talked to the family tonight and sang happy birthday to Danni on the other side of the world- had to laugh as Dan asked me if I could hear the parrot on the line which I couldnt- she said it was weird cos it was saying everything she did but in a funny voice- it was the sattelite echo of her own voice!!!! Love it Dan!

Video- Ireland at its best

the fiddling is for Danni- to show you what you can achieve with LOTS of practice! And Sam- from here irish dancing days although not sure it ever looked like this video!! lol

DAY 18 BUNTRATTY CASTLE CEILIDH EPILOGUE

Ok, its happened again or "the Chief" as they all call him now, was pulled up on stage AGAIN for a wee bit of irish dancing at the banquet evening! It made you laugh until your lips stuck to your teeth!

Gill the Irish in him came out well again (thank ye God for the jugs of red wine he said!)

He even made the host pronounmce "Ngaruawahia"- the host who as uncanninly like Rene out of the programme "'Ello "Ello!!

Very funny and Graeme is now world famous on the trafalgar bus?!! Then he led them all in a few favourite irish songs, ending with the Fred Dagg song "If it werent for your gumboots where would you be"! Oh dear................

DAY 18 DUBLIN -GALWAY- LIMERICK

Up at 6.15am this morning after ok sleeps. All the rooms have interconncting doors and we had americans next door last night- gee they talk loudly, have their tvs on loudly, slam doors loudly! So as we left after breakfast, I switched our tv on - loudly- and left it! (Made me feel better anyway lol!)

On the road out of Dublin and stopped at an old whiskey distillery for a cup of tea/coffee, then on the road to Galway for lunch. We passed through Ballinasloe which apprently has its famous horse sale tomorrow. People come from all over to buy and sell the big beautiful clydesdale like horses they have here.

Lots of roadworks here, must be Irealand, we were held up for about 20 mins in a queue controlled by an un-manned stop sign, while the one road worker hacked at the bitumen with a pick axe???!!!! In the end our tour director got out of the bus and stood in the road directing traffic to get it going again!

We also have a new driver Gordon for these past 2 days- a young very irish, irishman! who speaks fluent gaelic. He is so lovely and funny compared to our miserable old Mike- someone asked Gordon to stay on today !! He jumps out and have a few quick puffs of his smoke at every chance, then back in and he is off again!

Stopped in Galway for lunch, zillions of teenagers everywhere I think due to the university but they were all really good, didnt hear yelling, swearing etc- really well behaved. Graeme chose another charm for my pandora bracelet as I have one from England that has a pattern like the english flag. This irish one has like a shamrock on it- will be good to get one from each of the bigger countries we visit.

On to Limerick and we are staying at the Radisson- very flash and I now sit at the desk in the room in the big leather office chair!

We are off to a Ceilidh ("kay-lee") tonight, think that is about storytelling?? and also a meal, so should be good.

We really notice how much like NZ, that the Irish countryside really is- you look out the window and could swear you are back home!

Who is reading??

Just had a look at the site counter- 407 have read it, but only our loyal few are commenting! Very intruiging! Come on guys, leave us your cheek and names so we feel loved- haha!!

DAY17 - DUBLIN

Had a sleep in today until 7.15am because we were staying in Dublin for the day today- just as well as was up till midnight getting the blog etc on last night after the show!

We had a lovely Irish lady come and take us for a tour around the city which was great- very interesting but slow as all the taxi drivers were blocking part of the roads, protesting about something. The guide told us that the Danish Vikings founded Dublon and built the churches etc, so Graeme felt very superior as our group all call him the 'Chief"!!

Had a good look around the city then we were dropped to look at the book of kells which is something very old to do with someone writing the 4 gospels??!! Anyhow we (6) went round the shops then over to the famous guiness factory as we had pre booked tickets to get in.

Really interesting and over 5 floors. It was very well laid out and showed you all the process and equipment. Then up to the top floor to the 360 degree 'gravity bar' for the free pint of guiness and a total view of Dublin city. Tried my first real guiness- the pic says it all- eg/ Gray got 2 pints~Spent an enjoyable hour or so after that in their restaurant, then down to the shop for a spot of light retail therapy.

When we came out there were big horses and buggy rides so we took this into town- it was great. The horse looked like a clydesdale but a little smaller and apparently this breed can be used even when they arent gelded- so we had a stallion! He was beautiful.

We passed a post box like in our other 'at arms length photo' already posted but being in Ireland, this one is green so of course had to get a shot (tourists!)

When we were dropped off in the temple bar area, we shopped a bit more and wandered aorund then Graeme, me and Jen (Gaye and Jen are mother and daughter from the gold coast) heard a guy singing and playing guitar in a pub we were passing, so went in for another guiness. This guy was great and played us all the rock songs- could have stayed there permanently.

Have him playing on video so I told him he will be world famous in NZ! Thats the stuff you cant plan and leaves a great memory about Dublin- they are so friendly there too.

Also went past the Clarence hotel which the band U2 own, it used to be run down but let them play there when they first started out and were trying t get a break, so they wanted to buy it when they became famous and could afford it! Its the building in the last photo.

Then we walked back to the hotel, cleaned up then to the hotel restaurant for an enjoyable meal.

Tomorrow we are off to somewhere else in Ireland- not sure where, hoping the master farter further up in the bus who stinks out the bus all day long- reins it in cos Pete bought us an air freshener which Graeme is going to stick above the sour old bugger if ihe does it for the 4th day in a row,

Oh and heres something Irish- everytime you give blood here you are given a pint of guiness, not a bikkie and a cup for tea- AND all Mums in the maternity wards are offered and given guiness after they have given birth!!!!!!!

DAY 16 LIVERPOOL – DUBLIN IRELAND

We have all learned to lay our heads down on the pillow at night and….gone! Even the poor sleepers are crashing within minutes.

Up at 6.15am and off at 8am this am. Heard that Samoa and the pacific had a tsunami warning after a big earthquake and that 100 people are dead?? in Samoa. Went on to the internet and it doesn’t look like it has caused problems in NZ though and the email from Dad today didnt mention it, so all must be well??

We drove to Chester and stopped in this very quaint town and had a walk around the river and streets. Then on to Wales and stopped for lunch in agreat little pub at a town that contains just a train station- but to put it on the map it hosts the longest place name in the world (apparently).
Pronounce this- “Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch”
Which translates to”the church of Mary in the hollow of the white hazel, near the fierce whirlpool and the church of tysilio by the red cave” gasp!!!

Back on to the coach and down the road to Hollyhead at the port and on to the huge ferry. 3 1/2 hours over to Dublin. We all just sat around and talked and watched the men trip over the step into the mens loo’s!

Arrived into Dublins rush hour at traffic at 5.30pm and crawled for over an hour straight to the dinner and cabaret optional, which was just about too much for many- we were fine though, but happy to get there. Wasn’t time to stop at the hotel so we were all in our travelling clothes- a little shabby bur not a lot we could do.

I notice that Dublin is full of street signs on all the power and light poles about political issues and voting about them, really noticable here they are pushing for different issues on the euro, political parties, doing away with democracy (?really) etc.

Had a great meal then the show which had some professional singers- the mle tenor was incredible. They also had Noel Mc Ginty who is probably in his 70’s and has been touring for over 30 years. Lots of one liners and very funny. The irish dancing was top notch in the country that invented it.

Back to the hotel and now 11pm- a long day but we all agree you do so much more on tour than if you were on your own.

Liverpool

Meant to say yesterday- Graeme is now firmly in love with the city of Liverpool. He said it 5 times how neat a place it is which is a lot for him! It is lots of huge old warehouses that have mostly been converted and refurbished, while keeping the nautical theme of the old city. It is so well done as you can see from the pics yesterday.

There are beatles shops all over- apprently they are making more money now than when they were all alive and a band!