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Day 4
Early start this morning from Ambleside to Frodsham to fetch the
Piece de resistance - the wedding cake, which we had to take with us to Ireland. Then we had to drive south to Holyhead in Wales to board the ferry to Dun Laoghaire in Ireland. The names of the towns in Wales and Ireland are beyond me! I have no clue how to pronounce them, let alone spell them. Fortunately, once we reached Ireland, someone met us at the ferry to transport the cake further, so it wasn't our responsibility anymore. Phew! Thank goodness for that! Handled like fragile eggs, we managed to pass the cake on without any mishaps from our side. Lunch and a quick drive through Dublin, then we set off for Drogheda where we were going to spend the night. A bit of sightseeing at Newgrange, one of the Irish tombs in the Boyne Valley proved to be very interesting, with many unanswered mysteries among these tombs. The roof box at the entrance allows the mid-winter sun to penetrate into the chamber, only for about five days (if it ever shines that time of year!)
Can you imagine the significance
of such a rare thing, the sunlight shining through the roof-box to reach the tomb chamber floor 5000 years ago! It must have been seen as an unusual phenomena with a powerful symbolic meaning in those mythical times.
The scenery of Ireland is beautiful and the country houses look gorgeous! Another thing firmly embedded in my mind is the Queen Anne's Lace growing along the side of the road against hedges.
Can't believe it's still light
at 10.30 pm! Our inner clocks are totally thrown out over here, considering the sun sets at home at about 5.30! I like the idea of it being light so late.
Day 5
We made our way north to spend the night in Londonderry. Our main aim is to work our way up towards Donegal where the wedding will be.
We had 11 o' clock tea at a lovely little shop, called Eileen's Tea Room at Castleblayney and I can highly recommend their carrot cake. Not that any of the other sweet treats weren't nice at all, because they were all delicious. We took a detour to see Giant's Causeway - northeast of
Londonderry.The Giant's Causeway is an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption. It is located in County Antrim on the northeast coast of Northern Ireland, about three miles northeast of the town of Bushmills. I can only say 'wow' and well worth the visit. What a breathtaking view and the climb up the steep steps to the top of the cliff was worth it to see such a great sight. We couldn't have asked for better weather and we could even see Scotland on the horizon. Beautiful flowers that I normally have to buy for my garden, growing in the wild. Spent the night at a B&B in Londonderry, then heading to and fro various towns and the next few days will be final wedding preparations and celebrations!
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