Blogs from United Kingdom, Europe - page 21

This is a little late since the web site was having issues displaying pictures. We are now in the United Kingdom having left the European Union. That is, we left Ireland and now are staying in Belfast Northern Ireland. We stayed at the Harrison House of Distinction. It reminded us of some of the Victorian homes of San Francisco but earned it's Distinction name with some unusual art work incuding declaring that this place is " Fuxxxxx Fabulous". A little noisy due to the road and the creaky wood floors. Belfast is a very integrated city with many ethnic restaurants on Botanic St, a short distance from our hotel. We did a walking tour which gave us a brief view of the troubled history of Ireland. We also did the Black Cab trouble tour. Ireland ... read more

"I am up and waiting " That was the plaintive cry from Sion as dawn broke on a cool Tuesday morning . I was a little worried as he had obviously heard me arranging a trip out and assumed that he was coming along too. He would have a long wait as I had the shopping to do first and then was off to visit daughter to view her front garden and then would meet a friend . This time though it was not going to be Woolly Mammoth and his carer Jo. Sion always knew that sometime during the year when Jo was not working that we would go out and spend a few hours in Shrewsbury or somewhere equally interesting . He could catch up with Woolly and his travels and as he would ... read more

Last weekend I enjoyed a mini-break from my journey to France. Storm Antonio had cleared and Sunday was a lovely day for cycling around Poole Harbour. I stayed at Woodlanders campsite near Bere Regis. Very friendly. On Saturday night it hosted a wedding, two hen nights and a stag night. It was lovely. Lovely, but not rowdy and very quiet after 11 or so. I was persuaded to give the dry cider a go. I enjoyed it so much I had a second. I haven't drank cider since Spain years ago. I also enjoyed the skilfull and artful display by a fire artist (if that's a phrase). He did a lovely performance to Massive Attack. On Sunday I did a circuit of the bay (except Wareham to Poole where I took the train). After the checking ... read more

It is hard to believe I was once a diehard Scotch drinker. Heck, I even went to Scotland to try many of the best up front and personal. So, why did I stop? One is expense, and the other, perhaps more important, the amount of alcohol. So, which are the best and why? Perhaps this requires some analysis. The days of Scotch were days for the man's man. When smoking was heavy, and hiring secretaries for their looks was okay. Scotland is smaller than South Carolina, but has a coastline almost as long as Alaska. Halfway up the east coast are familiar names like Glenlivet, Glenfiddich, the Macallan, Glenmorangie, plus many others. Islay, the large island off of the southwest coat, boasts names like the smokey flavored Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Ardbeg, and others. A few outside this ... read more

Thursday 3 August 2023 day 17 on the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path from Pwll Deri YHA to our BNB in Goodwich, Ferryboat Inn. Alltrails app. 5 hour and 18 minutes. 9.57 miles. 1109 feet elevation gain. Garmin forerunner 25. 5 hours and 15 minutes walking. 9.51 miles. 995 feet elevation gain. Tony's Taxi picked us up at 0930 and had us at the Pwll Deri YHA ready to start the walk at 0950. The steep downhill continues almost to the water then promptly turned and went back up to the cliff tops again. Gary records 50% more elevation gain than I do. He added it up and his total to this point is very close to the advertised elevation gain. For the total 180 miles this is over 32,000 feet. We met two couples who stayed at ... read more