Nov 6, 2018 - Counterclockways around Ireland this time

In our 5 weeks in Ireland there have been many highlights including the Burren in Co Clare. 500sq-kms of vast cracked pavements of striated limestone with deep fissures, some catching soil but mostly barren, huge stand-alone boulders dumped in the glacial-era. Wild and windswept, real hardscrabble landscape but stunning. You can almost visualise the massive shifts in the earths crust written on the raw rocks. As I said, breathtaking. Down to Cahersiveen for a few days. On our last morning heard “Bring him Home” (out of Les Miserable, sung...

Oct 20, 2018 - Dublin

We were greeted with another sparkling sunny day when arrived in Dublin. It was a pretty non-descript ride from the airport, but it was clear when we arrived at our hotel that we had picked and other spectacular area - Temple Bar. Day #1 We were lucky enough to be able to check in early and we were hungry after a plane delay and only granola bars for breakfast, so we immediately headed out for food. The Temple Bar area is quite similar to Gastown in Vancouver or Pioneer Square in Seattle - in other words, very touristy. But hell, we're...

Oct 19, 2018 - Budapest/Kilmuckridge Ireland/

Prior to arriving in Budapest we’d been given several appointments at our dental surgery. We thought the first one would be for general checking, x-rays etc but no, after an x-ray establishing I’d got enough bone in my lower jaw to house an implant I was whisked away and, 45mins later, came back with a “screw” implanted, sown up with 5 stitches. Peter then had his 2 screws fitted and, after being given a whole sheet of safety instructions, antibiotics, pain killers and mouthwash we were out of there. Worked really well for me particularly...

Sep 1, 2018 - Back in Dublin

I have now met up with the group. Tony and Crystall who I met on the European Peace Walk in 2015 and Ruben and Paco from Spain who are friends of Tony’s. It is not possible to do much justice to Dublin in two days, however I am doing my best. Several historical events here permeate everything! The potato famine of 1845 through 1850 and the uprising in 1916 which lead to an independent Ireland in 1922.....apart from the 6 counties that became Northern Ireland. In fact those six counties are still causing trouble for Britain and the Irish...

Aug 31, 2018 - Galway, Aran Islands and Cliffs of Moher

Galway I already realise Ireland will need another visit at some later point as I am only here a few days to meet up with Tony and Crystall, two friends from the European Peace Walk and two of Tony’s friends. Tony is from Brisbane but Crystall lives in Calgary, Canada. I caught up with her last August in Calgary. Crystall flies back to Calgary in a few days from Dublin which is why Dublin! We all spend a few days in Dublin then Tony, the boys and I fly to Edinburgh to start a Scottish Adventure then I go on to walk a few weeks of the...

Aug 30, 2018 - Dublin

I am sitting at Dublin airport having a coffee with Chili. My bus doesn’t leave for an hour or so. Just to fill anyone in about Chili.....my goddaughter Ruby gave her to me years ago as a travel companion so she still comes along. She has even done the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race! My business class from HK is courtesy of my brother in law John who died Feb 1st and gave me his Qantas points. So here’s to John who was a very adventurous traveller......and very generous with his points. To think of doing that while he was so sick. Before I...

Aug 25, 2018 - Edinburgh and The Fringe Festival

We had asked for early check-in at the Radisson Blu and got settled in and rested before going to explore the “Royal Mile” road. Edinburgh has a month-long Fringe Festival with buskers and impromptu theater offerings. We had meals at some excellent restaurants. Anne did some shopping and found a perfect casmier wrap plus Harris Tweed “coats” for our grand-doggers.

Aug 23, 2018 - At Sea - Candles & Departing Windstar

As we sailed back to Edinburgh for a day at sea, we dined at the intimate Candles Restaurant. It’s amazing how the tiny kitchen serves breakfast, lunch, and elegant dinners. The same wait staff just change to more formal attire for Candles. Plus, the food is a cut above that in the larger dining room.

Jun 29, 2018 - Dublin

Left Belfast yesterday morning making one stop on our way to Dublin, our final stop. Downpatrick is the burial site of St. Patrick. Yes THE ST. PATRICK. He is entombed under a large boulder on which a simple early version of a Celtic cross is craved with the name “Patrick”. St. Bridget and St. Columbine are also entombed with him. It was a clear sunny morning. We gathered around his grave and each of us had are own quiet moment with the three saints. We entered Dublin proud! With the Rocky Theme playing we recounted every “little” challenge...

Jun 28, 2018 - No Luck of the Irish for us.

June 28 Thursday Today we woke up a leisurely time,bought 2 shuttle tickets to go into Dublin. We shopped for a shirt that would fit Chas, a Blarney Stone, and a children’s book. Mary needed booze, a pin, and Irish Christmas ornament. Terry & Don took our tour tickets for the day. So off we went successful in our shopping endeavors. Had a coke a piece in an Irish pub and ta da managed to find the spot where the port bus dropped us off. Boarded the bus back to the Brilliance of the Seas but the driver said he didn’t need to see our tickets....

Jun 27, 2018 - Fairies and Leprechauns .....Wrong

June 27, Wednesday Dublin Ireland Our guide today is a woman named Cloder, which means babbling brook or never shuts up. There is the history lesson followed by a few facts that stick with me. The Celtics worshiped the sun,moon,and stars. The romans came, in those short skirts says the guide, and left because it was too cold. The records here start with the year 1176. The longest tunnel in the UK goes under Dublin. They also have the highest birth rate in the UK. We arrived at the Malahide Castle. It had one owner, the Talbots for 800...

Jun 26, 2018 - Slieve League & the Town of Donegal

The sea cliffs, Slieve League, are three times higher than the Cliffs of Moher and are amongst the highest in Europe. There are two ways to view them, from the top or from the sea. The top is always available, not so the sea. The sea method is very dependent on weather, the roughness of the sea and the fog. It is very difficult to align all these factors, but the Luck of the Irish was with us. We went by sea. I will forego a narrative. Just enjoy the pictures. Lunch, shopping and relaxing in the Town of Donegal made for a perfect afternoon....