Road ~ Ride Holiday 2017
Diary – Part 4
Diary – Part 4
Sunday October 1
Ireland - Dublin
Breakfast together as a full six for the last time for 4 days.
Ken was the driver this morning (Paul was listening to the Rugby League Grand Final) and it was off to Gatwick in the rain.
But first a look at Sue Hooper's old 'stumping ground', Newick, a few photos taken then to our next stop Forest Row. This time photos for Fiona Durman, as this is where she grew up.
Once done it was just the final section to Gatwick to return the car. No problems in finding the Stix Hire return site. Car returned then Paula and Ken headed for the Terminal to fly to Ireland and the others off to London by rail and Tube.
Paula and Ken had no issues with Ryanair - their flight hadn't been cancelled like thousands of others. The flight over was pretty quick and the passage through border control was the quickest it had ever been! Only ones in the non EU line.
The Hertz Hire car was easy to organise. It took longer to set the car up and learn how to use the SatNav than it did flying to Dublin!
Found the accommodation, Jury Inn, with just one minor detour and we were organised for our room quickly. The car park for the hotel had even smaller spaces than the one in Brighton, it would have been impossible to have parked the van.
Once settled we found a mass time for 6.00pm at St Teresa's church and put its location into Ken's phone. We had some time to spare so began to explore the surrounds of the hotel finding the Town Hall, Dublin Castle, Christ Church Cathedral and Chester Beatty Library.
After mass we did another walk through the main mall having an ice cream then a hot chocolate before finding Trinity College and a few souvenir shops for Paula to explore. We also orientated ourselves to the river and decided what we might do when we are back here Thursday morning before returning the car at 11.00am.
When we were back in the room we planned tomorrow with 5 things organised but not necessarily needing to stop for hours to look at them. Our overnight stop tomorrow is at Kinsale, a fishing and holiday tourist town just below Cork.
Monday October 2
Ireland - Day 1
We decided on an early start, one, to get out of Dublin before rush hour and the second to get most of the early driving, with nothing to see, out of the way before breakfast.
Successfully completed we made Kilkenny for a 9.00am breakfast then a walk around Kilkenny Castle and the Medieval Mile. From here we drove to the Rock of Cashel, a religiously significant place for Irish Catholics. We also spent sometime in the town centre.
Next was Blarney to look at the castle and the gardens and 'Kiss the Blarney Stone', which we both did. The castle and gardens were exceptional and we could have spent a lot more time exploring the surrounds.
Kissing the Blarney Stone was truly a rewarding experience, on your back, holding on to two poles and being held by an attendant whilst you put your head into the nothingness of space. You don't really have time to think about it - you squeeze in, kiss the stone and get back out. It isn't until you get outside and go around behind the castle and look up at the small hole, 'miles in the sky' that you realise how high you where and the precarious position you where in!
If you had looked from here before you kissed the stone you might think twice about doing it!
After finishing at Blarney we went into Cork to look at the Old English Markets. We didn't get there until just before they were closing so didn't real get to appreciate the whole vista. We wandered around Cork's main shopping area for a while before heading to Kinsale and our accommodation at Tierney's Guesthouse.
Ken almost discovered firsthand what type of motorcycle the Irish police, or Garda as they are called in Ireland, use. He almost didn't give way to the police sirens at the lights just outside of Cork, by the way they use FJR 1300s!
Finding a park in Kinsale is fun - NOT, narrow one way streets and heaps of them! Parking was eventually found (20 minutes of driving later) about 1 minutes walk from the guesthouse next to the police station so it should be safe overnight.
Dinner was at the Fishy Fishy restaurant - beautiful seafood!
Tomorrow we will again go for the early start - Killarney (breakfast) and then the Ring of Kerry to view the wild Atlantic coast.
Tuesday October 3
Ireland- Day 2
Woke early again to do the same as yesterday, get an early start for the biggest driving stint. Our accommodation made it easier to get going, they didn't have the central heating on and the shower was lukewarm at its hottest!
We had planned to be in Killarney for breakfast and even though it was only 88 kms away it still took us until 9.00am. Travelling through the narrow country roads with people going to work was quite interesting to say the least. Just gave them room and let them go past.
The countryside on the way to Killarney was a mixture, undulating farm land just out of Kinsale to pine forest areas closer to Killarney.
Breakfast in Killarney was ok just the cafe Ken chose was different, had a Halloween theme, skeletons and black costumed figures around the room.
Whilst in Killarney we did some postcards for the grand children and posted them home. Irish post offices are emerald green!
From town we travelled out to Ross Castle and the lake it overlooks. Just took photos here. Our primary task today was to travel the Ring of Kerry tourist route taking in some of the Wild Atlantic Way. This was to take us from Kenware to Killorglin around the Iveragh Peninsula.
Before we got to Kenware we visited and took photos at Torc Waterfall and Ladies View (enjoyed a bit of a walk at Torc Waterfall).
The Ring of Kerry is very much a winding road through the mountains and along the Atlantic coast line. It is so much so that the tourist coaches go anti clockwise on the route and car drivers are advised to go clockwise otherwise it just becomes traffic chaos.
We were going to stop at Kenware, a pretty town, but it was full of school students so we headed for Sneem for a drink, a Nutella pancake and ice creams and to stretch the legs then onto Waterville. The coast line around here is very rugged and the waves coming in at the bay in Waterville make a very different sound to any other waves we have heard. The crashing of waves on the large pebbly beach is unusual. The surrounding hills also look barren and wind swept, just rock outcrops, occasional grass patches and no trees.
The final stop on the Ring of Kerry was Killorglin for a toilet break and a walk around the town. Killorglin is famous for the Puck Fair, one of the oldest fairs in Ireland - it started in the 12th century and has been held in August over 3 days ever since.
Our accommodation, the Listowel Arms was our next destination. This is a beautiful old hotel with great old style decor. Our room was upgraded for us, the upgrade was nice and large, with a great view of the Listowel race course (which has steeplechase races) and the River Feale. It also has working heaters!
Dinner in the hotel was also excellent - we both had seafood again. After dinner we explored the town shopping centre before heading back and getting ready for our last full day in Ireland. Back to Dublin to view the Book of Kells and Trinity College but through Tarbert and Limerick first.
Wednesday October 4
Ireland - Day 3
Today we began with a lovely Irish breakfast overlooking the emerald green of the Listowel racecourse, although through a tiny bit of drizzle.
We had been fortunate in the last 3 days with the weather and again today because when it did sprinkle we were driving or inside.
We packed the car and headed for Tarbert another little town making its living from the sea. From here we followed the River Shannon into Limerick.
We took the advice of the lady in the tourist information office and walked around to St Mary's Cathedral and even though it is over 900 years old still has a working graveyard. The wind started to increase in intensity as we walked around King John's Castle and back across the river into the main part of town.
Back in the car we drove the 20 kms to Lough Gur, a site that dates back over 3000 years with human habitation. It has a circle of stones and numerous areas that were once stone huts. We had planned to spend a little more time here but the main exhibition area was closed, a school group was in there!
We took a few photos then set the SatNav for Dublin and Trinity College. Hopefully we would make it before the last time slot for viewing. It was just a matter of driving the M7. We stopped to refuel, have a coffee and a toilet break at Exit 14. It seems most of the major exits off the 'M' roads have a large service centre.
We found a parking area near Trinity College and walked quickly through the drizzle that had just started as we entered Dublin to the college. Finding the building housing the Book of Kells wasn't as easy as you would have thought.
Once you enter the gates of the college you are in a different world. The hustle and bustle of the traffic; trams, buses, cars, people and push bikes is gone. The walls of the college stop the outside world from intruding. Trinity College is very old! Wonderful old stone buildings, cobbled paths, which were slippery, old trees and grassed areas. The grassed areas were chained off with push bikes attached to every available space as it looked like it was the primary form of transport to and around the college.
Eventually we found the correct building housing the Book of Kells, it actually was attached to the real college library, and found we still had ample time to explore the Book of Kells exhibition and the 'Long Room'.
The exhibition was great, especially actually being able to see the books themselves. It was interesting learning about how they were made, the methods used to develop the different coloured inks, the implements used to write and make the books as well as some information on the possible character of the four writers and three illustrators responsible for their production.
After this we entered the Long Room to view some of the oldest books in the world. It was not just the books but the presentation of the library that was amazing.
We left Trinity College back into the chaos of the end of work traffic. We very slowly and carefully navigated to our accommodation at the Charles Stewart B&B.
The room was small, but warm. We ventured back outside into heavier drizzle and very blowy conditions to find the Molly Malone monument and the Ha'penny Bridge through the Temple Bar area.
We took some photos even though it was dark, windy and raining, then walked back along the river. Again we had fish, chips and salad in a traditional fish and chip shop before catching the movie 'Goodbye Christopher Robin', just as it was starting. This was a last minute decision made as we were walking past the cinema but well worth the effort. It was a good movie and brought together some more aspects of the Road Trip. We had travelled through the area of Ashdown Woods, (the backdrop for the 100 acre woods) the site AA Milne and his son use to walk through and the inspiration for the 'Winnie the Pooh' books.
It was really windy as we left the cinema but not as wet.
Back in room for a good night's sleep.
Hire car back and off to Paris tomorrow.
Ireland - Dublin
Breakfast together as a full six for the last time for 4 days.
Ken was the driver this morning (Paul was listening to the Rugby League Grand Final) and it was off to Gatwick in the rain.
But first a look at Sue Hooper's old 'stumping ground', Newick, a few photos taken then to our next stop Forest Row. This time photos for Fiona Durman, as this is where she grew up.
Once done it was just the final section to Gatwick to return the car. No problems in finding the Stix Hire return site. Car returned then Paula and Ken headed for the Terminal to fly to Ireland and the others off to London by rail and Tube.
Paula and Ken had no issues with Ryanair - their flight hadn't been cancelled like thousands of others. The flight over was pretty quick and the passage through border control was the quickest it had ever been! Only ones in the non EU line.
The Hertz Hire car was easy to organise. It took longer to set the car up and learn how to use the SatNav than it did flying to Dublin!
Found the accommodation, Jury Inn, with just one minor detour and we were organised for our room quickly. The car park for the hotel had even smaller spaces than the one in Brighton, it would have been impossible to have parked the van.
Once settled we found a mass time for 6.00pm at St Teresa's church and put its location into Ken's phone. We had some time to spare so began to explore the surrounds of the hotel finding the Town Hall, Dublin Castle, Christ Church Cathedral and Chester Beatty Library.
After mass we did another walk through the main mall having an ice cream then a hot chocolate before finding Trinity College and a few souvenir shops for Paula to explore. We also orientated ourselves to the river and decided what we might do when we are back here Thursday morning before returning the car at 11.00am.
When we were back in the room we planned tomorrow with 5 things organised but not necessarily needing to stop for hours to look at them. Our overnight stop tomorrow is at Kinsale, a fishing and holiday tourist town just below Cork.
Monday October 2
Ireland - Day 1
We decided on an early start, one, to get out of Dublin before rush hour and the second to get most of the early driving, with nothing to see, out of the way before breakfast.
Successfully completed we made Kilkenny for a 9.00am breakfast then a walk around Kilkenny Castle and the Medieval Mile. From here we drove to the Rock of Cashel, a religiously significant place for Irish Catholics. We also spent sometime in the town centre.
Next was Blarney to look at the castle and the gardens and 'Kiss the Blarney Stone', which we both did. The castle and gardens were exceptional and we could have spent a lot more time exploring the surrounds.
Kissing the Blarney Stone was truly a rewarding experience, on your back, holding on to two poles and being held by an attendant whilst you put your head into the nothingness of space. You don't really have time to think about it - you squeeze in, kiss the stone and get back out. It isn't until you get outside and go around behind the castle and look up at the small hole, 'miles in the sky' that you realise how high you where and the precarious position you where in!
If you had looked from here before you kissed the stone you might think twice about doing it!
After finishing at Blarney we went into Cork to look at the Old English Markets. We didn't get there until just before they were closing so didn't real get to appreciate the whole vista. We wandered around Cork's main shopping area for a while before heading to Kinsale and our accommodation at Tierney's Guesthouse.
Ken almost discovered firsthand what type of motorcycle the Irish police, or Garda as they are called in Ireland, use. He almost didn't give way to the police sirens at the lights just outside of Cork, by the way they use FJR 1300s!
Finding a park in Kinsale is fun - NOT, narrow one way streets and heaps of them! Parking was eventually found (20 minutes of driving later) about 1 minutes walk from the guesthouse next to the police station so it should be safe overnight.
Dinner was at the Fishy Fishy restaurant - beautiful seafood!
Tomorrow we will again go for the early start - Killarney (breakfast) and then the Ring of Kerry to view the wild Atlantic coast.
Tuesday October 3
Ireland- Day 2
Woke early again to do the same as yesterday, get an early start for the biggest driving stint. Our accommodation made it easier to get going, they didn't have the central heating on and the shower was lukewarm at its hottest!
We had planned to be in Killarney for breakfast and even though it was only 88 kms away it still took us until 9.00am. Travelling through the narrow country roads with people going to work was quite interesting to say the least. Just gave them room and let them go past.
The countryside on the way to Killarney was a mixture, undulating farm land just out of Kinsale to pine forest areas closer to Killarney.
Breakfast in Killarney was ok just the cafe Ken chose was different, had a Halloween theme, skeletons and black costumed figures around the room.
Whilst in Killarney we did some postcards for the grand children and posted them home. Irish post offices are emerald green!
From town we travelled out to Ross Castle and the lake it overlooks. Just took photos here. Our primary task today was to travel the Ring of Kerry tourist route taking in some of the Wild Atlantic Way. This was to take us from Kenware to Killorglin around the Iveragh Peninsula.
Before we got to Kenware we visited and took photos at Torc Waterfall and Ladies View (enjoyed a bit of a walk at Torc Waterfall).
The Ring of Kerry is very much a winding road through the mountains and along the Atlantic coast line. It is so much so that the tourist coaches go anti clockwise on the route and car drivers are advised to go clockwise otherwise it just becomes traffic chaos.
We were going to stop at Kenware, a pretty town, but it was full of school students so we headed for Sneem for a drink, a Nutella pancake and ice creams and to stretch the legs then onto Waterville. The coast line around here is very rugged and the waves coming in at the bay in Waterville make a very different sound to any other waves we have heard. The crashing of waves on the large pebbly beach is unusual. The surrounding hills also look barren and wind swept, just rock outcrops, occasional grass patches and no trees.
The final stop on the Ring of Kerry was Killorglin for a toilet break and a walk around the town. Killorglin is famous for the Puck Fair, one of the oldest fairs in Ireland - it started in the 12th century and has been held in August over 3 days ever since.
Our accommodation, the Listowel Arms was our next destination. This is a beautiful old hotel with great old style decor. Our room was upgraded for us, the upgrade was nice and large, with a great view of the Listowel race course (which has steeplechase races) and the River Feale. It also has working heaters!
Dinner in the hotel was also excellent - we both had seafood again. After dinner we explored the town shopping centre before heading back and getting ready for our last full day in Ireland. Back to Dublin to view the Book of Kells and Trinity College but through Tarbert and Limerick first.
Wednesday October 4
Ireland - Day 3
Today we began with a lovely Irish breakfast overlooking the emerald green of the Listowel racecourse, although through a tiny bit of drizzle.
We had been fortunate in the last 3 days with the weather and again today because when it did sprinkle we were driving or inside.
We packed the car and headed for Tarbert another little town making its living from the sea. From here we followed the River Shannon into Limerick.
We took the advice of the lady in the tourist information office and walked around to St Mary's Cathedral and even though it is over 900 years old still has a working graveyard. The wind started to increase in intensity as we walked around King John's Castle and back across the river into the main part of town.
Back in the car we drove the 20 kms to Lough Gur, a site that dates back over 3000 years with human habitation. It has a circle of stones and numerous areas that were once stone huts. We had planned to spend a little more time here but the main exhibition area was closed, a school group was in there!
We took a few photos then set the SatNav for Dublin and Trinity College. Hopefully we would make it before the last time slot for viewing. It was just a matter of driving the M7. We stopped to refuel, have a coffee and a toilet break at Exit 14. It seems most of the major exits off the 'M' roads have a large service centre.
We found a parking area near Trinity College and walked quickly through the drizzle that had just started as we entered Dublin to the college. Finding the building housing the Book of Kells wasn't as easy as you would have thought.
Once you enter the gates of the college you are in a different world. The hustle and bustle of the traffic; trams, buses, cars, people and push bikes is gone. The walls of the college stop the outside world from intruding. Trinity College is very old! Wonderful old stone buildings, cobbled paths, which were slippery, old trees and grassed areas. The grassed areas were chained off with push bikes attached to every available space as it looked like it was the primary form of transport to and around the college.
Eventually we found the correct building housing the Book of Kells, it actually was attached to the real college library, and found we still had ample time to explore the Book of Kells exhibition and the 'Long Room'.
The exhibition was great, especially actually being able to see the books themselves. It was interesting learning about how they were made, the methods used to develop the different coloured inks, the implements used to write and make the books as well as some information on the possible character of the four writers and three illustrators responsible for their production.
After this we entered the Long Room to view some of the oldest books in the world. It was not just the books but the presentation of the library that was amazing.
We left Trinity College back into the chaos of the end of work traffic. We very slowly and carefully navigated to our accommodation at the Charles Stewart B&B.
The room was small, but warm. We ventured back outside into heavier drizzle and very blowy conditions to find the Molly Malone monument and the Ha'penny Bridge through the Temple Bar area.
We took some photos even though it was dark, windy and raining, then walked back along the river. Again we had fish, chips and salad in a traditional fish and chip shop before catching the movie 'Goodbye Christopher Robin', just as it was starting. This was a last minute decision made as we were walking past the cinema but well worth the effort. It was a good movie and brought together some more aspects of the Road Trip. We had travelled through the area of Ashdown Woods, (the backdrop for the 100 acre woods) the site AA Milne and his son use to walk through and the inspiration for the 'Winnie the Pooh' books.
It was really windy as we left the cinema but not as wet.
Back in room for a good night's sleep.
Hire car back and off to Paris tomorrow.