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Published: August 26th 2010
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South Stack - Anglesey - Wales
30-40 metres high - at walk along South Stack cliffs Week Monday 16th August to Sunday 22nd August 2010.
Monday 16th August 2010.
Up and went for a bike ride - along the coast road, about 16kms for Gaye. I stopped and asked about a sheet metal shop, talked to a couple of workers laying pavers. I then proceeded to chase down Gaye. Missed the turn off so back and forwards till I got my bearings, did about 25kms and by the time I got back, Gaye was resting in the sunshine and laughed when I told her.
We then packed up and found the sheet metal shop and purchased some metal. He showed us a good example of Welsh dry humour as I tried to pay with a Bank of Scotland £5 note - he said it was no good and only took the £5 from Bank of England and loose change.
Told us we should go back and see the ‘South Stack’ and the light house - we did and boy what a rugged cliff coast - took lots of photos.
Ferry ride was 1.5hours flat.
Did some duty free shopping.
We put the Tom Tom on as we landed but it decided to have a conniption, so
Ferry Terminal at Holyhead - Wales
In the queue waiting for the ferry to Ireland had to use Google and the locals to find the camp site - all went well (except Thomas getting frustrated and short fused)
Only in Ireland - the sign said one way was the Toll and one said NO TOLL- took the NO TOLL and came to a toll booth.
Arrived at camp site at 9pm and set up - very nice as each site has its own hedge surround.
Tuesday 17th August 2010
Up at 7.30am and Tom fiddled with repairing the cupboard door and by lunchtime caught a bus to Dublin. Met a nice lady (27) at bus stop so as usual we chatted.
In Dublin walked around after a nice lunch of soup and sandwich
€5 in The Alomo, then more walking. Lots of old sites to look at. Saw some interesting archive photos of 1800 gentry in the photo museum . Another shop with pottery and other items - interesting owner, and later a bicycle shop for electrolyte powder.
Bought tickets to see The Cologne Chamber Orchestra in the St. Anne’s Church (big) . Was a good performance. Chatted with a lady from Malaysia who lives in Dublin - her husband works in the
Gaye on MTB 18.8.10
Gaye on MTB in park next to caravan park at Clondalkin outside Dublin - had the ear muffs on !! Guinness company, and her 6 year old daughter who plays violin and piano. Then took the bus home - back by 11pm - a good long sunny day.
Wednesday 18th August 2010.
Tom up early as usual fixing water levels etc.
Went for a bike ride around the huge park next to the caravan park. Domestics day.
Thursday 19th August 2010
Up early - 6am - and caught the Xpress bus to town. Went by bus to the National Botanical Gardens - lovely, sunny, took photos - then bus back into town for late 3pm lunch.
Into Trinity College - Gaye went on tour of the Book of Kells. Again the history and the craftsmanship was amazing. Tom went to several art galleries. One was National Art Gallery of Ireland - lovely building and art normal. Other was a small gallery in Trinity College - weird stuff from America both by a painter and photographer. Then we went to the Modern Art Gallery - not a very good exhibition -only some OK.
Trying to get home. We waited for over an hour and a half at a bus stop. 1 bus went straight past us and the
Just So Right
Caption on stone in Botanical Gardens - Dublin next bus was an Xpress so didn’t stop at our stop. Were getting wet, cold and hungry so opted for a taxi - €20 but worth every cent.
Got back to the caravan park about 7.15pm. Tom has a large brandy and Gaye had a huge Baileys to warm us up.
Friday 20th August 2010
Tom out for a bike ride around park. Gaye slept in.
Drizzling with rain again.
Went for a drink at The Clarence Hotel in Dublin (owned by Bono from U2 - under instructions from Annie), then for a walk around town and listened to all the buskers singing and performing. Back to The Clarence for dinner - and it was a very enjoyable dinner. Bus back to caravan park .
Saturday 21st August 2010.
Left Dublin, after Gaye played with Tom Tom - now have 2 maps of Ireland (woops) and one of Morocco. Stopped and did some grocery shopping at Navan.
Then drove to The Hill of Tara. In the church at The Hill of Tara (google) we watched a short information movie and then walked round the site.
Then drove around until we found Newgrange (google) - ready for tomorrow’s early
start as all tours are free as it is the start of ‘Heritage Week’. We then went to Newgrange Lodge, just up the road - as they allow motorhomes to stop in their car park €15 + €3 for electricity. A great find as you can use the lodges’ facilities and bring in your own drink and nibblies, free wi-fi, TV. So here we are, our wine and nibblies in the upstairs lounge - settling in for the night .
Sunday 22nd August 2010
Started off at Newgrange Lodge which is where we had slept and the receptionist had booked us into the 9.45am double tour of Knowth and then Newgrange Tombs which are a World Heritage Site. Knowth is over 5000 years old and the two internal tombs were not discovered until 1967/8 . So much there - need to go to Net for all the history.
Newgrange is also 5000 years old but was not touched by farmers until the 1600’s. Excavated between 1962-1975. Therefore it is pretty much as was built - here we were allowed to walk 19 metres into the burial chamber - again lots of history so the Net is best place
Sand Sculptures - Dublin Castle
In forecourt of Dublin Castle - Right view - North Mythology -combines sculpture of North and creation of Earth. to look at it.
Then we made lunch and drove off to Trim Castle - took lots of photos as it is high and very impressive - again see the Net for all the info. Trim Castle also served as a ‘castle double’ for York Castle in the movie Braveheart.
In need of a drink to quench our thirst as it has been quite hot today, we went into the local pub across the road and caught the last few minutes of a Gaelic football match on TV between Cork and Dublin. Cork won by 1 point so they are now into the semi finals. Lots of atmosphere in the pub - great.
We then drove to Kells and are now on the side of the road free camping for the night.
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Sharmi
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i like daddys shirt, very nice.. come home now