Thursday, August 30, 2018
Stonehenge to London
Sunday, August 26, 2018
last days in Wales then on to England
Diagnosis confirmed! The iPad is dead....... we will have a conversation with the insurance company but either way the only option will be a new device.
Cardiff, two nights in an Airbnb and plenty of time to explore the city. The Airbnb was alright but the owner had certainly stretched the truth a little. Starting with her profile picture which I suspect was taken 20 years previously! The room was large but the “private “ bathroom could only be accessed by walking past the other 2 bedrooms so didn’t exactly feel right.
Day 1 was Cardiff central with the first stop being the Apple shop. Lovely city walks and then a wander around Cardiff Castle. Yes, another castle but this time with a fantastic 6th century Keep that was in pretty good condition. The later renovations on the walls and buildings were somewhat extravagant but worth the visit.
Day 2 was filled with a visit to the museum and then a lazy afternoon with a lunch and stroll around the Cardiff Bay Area that is walking distance from our abode so we decided on an afternoon snooze and then take in a show at the rather impressive Cardiff Performing Arts centre - Summer Holiday, a musical based on the Cliff Richard 60’s movie. Great fun with a good mix of songs and plenty of energy. The added bonus was some space away from the bnb which was perfectly fine but just didn’t feel private enough for us. After the show we went in search of a glass of wine as unlike home there was none to be had at the theatre. But not to worry, a short stroll along the waterfront and we found not only a glass of wine but a man playing trumpet and singing. Great entertainment! Apart from a brief altercation with some smokers. We had chosen to sit outside under the awning despite the slight occasional drizzle so we could listen to the music. The table we sat at had 4 chairs and shortly after sitting down a women came and asked if we minded if she sat. Of course we said no! She sat and then proceeded to light up so we said we would prefer if she didn’t smoke - she said but we are outside (which of course is allowed in Europe even if you are only standing in the doorway!) - we said yes but we are not smokers (there were other chairs!) - she of course ignored us and continued to smoke. Bitch! We thought we would just wait for her to finish and leave which she did and then returned with two friends who stood around our table lighting up. Very deliberate! Very rude! So we moved to which she said “bye!” Guess you find them everywhere. They all finished their cigarettes and left. Some people just need to be ........ Anyway, despite this we had a great night which ended up later than anticipated as we stayed to listen to the singing and trumpet playing.
Headed off early towards Salisbury via Bath so we new it was going to be an actioned packed day and we wanted to make the most of our time. We had both been previously, in fact I remember taking Mum and dad there in 1990. It is still as beautiful as ever with amazing Georgian architecture and buildings in amazing condition. Photos without people are impossible but can be frustrating when some tourists are completely oblivious, or self centred, and just wont get out of the way.
Dinner with the Parkers - very flash night in London city
The Pisco Sour with “paint”
Wednesday, August 15, 2018
The Brecon Becons
National parks in Wales are interesting. They are lived in. There are roads, villages, farms etc. no fences (which has been the case in much of Ireland also) so you frequently drive past sheep grazing on the edge of the road. They are very non-fussed and pay no attention to the cars - just keep on grazing. Today we drove past horses as well. They were quite small compared to horses we are used to seeing at home. At one point there were several cars pulled off on the side of the road and people in amongst a reasonable size group of horses patting them. They are obviously very used to people!
Our drive through the National Park was picturesque then on to the southern coast of Wales and the Gowr peninsular - a walk on the beach at Porth Einon where we checked out the ruins of an old smugglers residence and salt house then a drive out as far as Worms Head which is linked by a causeway accessible at low tide. Beautiful coastline! We walked out to the headland at the start of the causeway but decided against continuing cross the causeway as it would have meant another long day and late finish so back up a different road through the National Park and back to Brecon for a walk along the canal where we met a couple of men from England doing some pole fishing. This involved very long poles made up of several sections joined together and held out over the water with a fairly small length of line attached by a short length of elastic. The bait was a kernel of corn. When a fish is hooked the rod is broken down section by section to bring the fish into the shore to take it off the hook and “bag” it. One of them caught a small one while we were watching which he threw back. Then on down the canal and through the town before dinner at The George - a local pub. Good food and great value. We continue to notice the unusual eating style of the locals - their use of knife and fork is somewhat different to what we are used to seeing!
Tuesday, August 14, 2018
Wales
Tuesday, August 7, 2018
Ireland country road trip
So a quick update on the last week since our Dublin post. We have been on a bit of a road trip heading south east to Kilkenny, Cork, Tralee, Galway and now in Northern Ireland at Derry. We have travelled some miles along motorways where you can do 120kms and over narrow country roads on the Wild Atlantic Way that are barely a car and a half wide and the speed limit reduced to 100km with no verges and plenty of blind corners to keep the Adrenaline flowing. Add to this will be the odd goat, sheep or cow grazing on the side of the road oblivious to the traffic.
Plenty of beautiful sights and amazing ruins of castles, monasteries and abandoned houses that we both look at and think could be our next renovation project. Evenings are filled with music and the odd pint or two of Guinness, Smithwicks amber or a local regional brew. We have been treated to some great music including Irish ballads and amazing “jam sessions” where. Strangers can meet and join in much like the New Sydney on a Saturday afternoon in Hobart.
Thursday, August 2, 2018
The first few days in Ireland
In bed by 8.30 as we were two very tired little vegemites.
Day 2 a bit more alive so off we set to take in some sites via the “hop on hop off” bus. First stop Trinity College and “The Book of Kells” . A nice tour and well worth a visit. Thankfully the crowds were no where to be seen so we had plenty of time and space to take in the displays and brush up on my religious history. While at the College we wandered the old library, reportedly the inspiration for the Hogwarts library and I can see the resemblance, absolutely stunning and a good experience.
Tried to get into Kilmainham Goal but apparently you need to book! No worries, let’s catch a cab back to the Guinness Storehouse and do the tour there instead (It’s still history and culture isn’t it?) Great tour but of course being Gluten based Robyn was unable to partake so I had to take one for the team and drink her pint as well as mine.......
Best joke of the day from one of the hop on hop off bus drivers - “Daddy do all fairy tales begin with Once upon a time...... No darling, most fairy tales begin with Once I get elected I promise.......” He went on to lament the caliber of the Irish politicians but I think we can relate!
A new day and off we head for more of Dublin. Walked 18000 steps including a great tour of the Gaol and a better insight to the treatment of political prisoners, the great potato famine and a number of uprisings in the battle for independence. Well worth a visit. More great shops and food to be had and then relaxed into the Temple Bar (again) with a pint of the Ruby red or black stuff commonly known as Guinness. The band was outstanding and you couldn’t stop the legs from tapping or the hands from clapping. Not sure what happened but it was getting close to midnight before the head hit the pillow. Mind you only 1 pint of Guinness in 2 hours (starting to drink like a local). Robyn brought a CD and it might not make it home if it’s the only one we buy as 12 weeks on repeat could see it, or me, thrown out the window.
What has been wonderful to see in Dublin is that “someone” has had the vision to retain the character and identity of the city. Beautiful old buildings in the city centre, not a high rise to be seen! Great traditional Irish pubs that are welcoming, not seedy, with not a pokie or TV screen in sight! Consequently the city has a wonderful relaxed feel full of charm and everything Irish! People walking, shopping, chatting, great atmosphere and the city seems to be thriving! Perhaps the Tasmanian politicians and the Hobart councillors need to pay a visit and find out it can be done! It is possible to retain what is unique and quintessential without sacrificing progress and economic growth.
Celebrating and cheers to Lydia on getting a contract ar Rose Bay High School