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| Beautiful scenery around every corner …or curve on the Ring of Kerry |
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| Steve enjoying lunch in Kinsale on the way to Kenmare |
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| Kilkenny castle seen from the street |
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| Main street of Kilkenny a beautiful town |
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| The Rock of Cashel Last year visited by the Queen on her Ireland tour |
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| The cemetery outside the Cathedral of Cashel |
Despite the fact there were heaps of Fish and Chippy places we hunted out a place called Fishy Fishy, recommended by the McGregors . We got a table and had a lovely lunch – Steve had a huge bowl of mussels and I had a lovely warm seafood salad. Then we walked around the town wishing we could take a boat ride around the little port, before heading off to Kenmare, making a few stops along the way to admire the views, the old ruins, the people and some very funny signs.
Drove into pretty Kenmare and it’s two main streets were jumping. Lots of visitors for the bank holiday. Most if them local Irish we think. But the place was jumpin’.
We found our B&B just a ten minute walk out of town , met Finnoula and Danny the owners and unpacked into our room. It’s very comfortable and should be quiet. Sometimes I feel funny in B&Bs . It’s like staying with friends you don’t know well and one has to behave! No funny noises!
We walked into town and found one pub after the next to have a drink and chat. Not being very hungry after a big lunch and a cider to warm me up, I settled on a bowl of soup and Steve had Guinness sausages. We decided to wait for the music to start but I think Paddy or Danny or whatever his name is, was chatting and drinking himself. So he finally started at 9.30. Nothing much happen too early here They like their late nights! We sang along for a few of the rowdier songs and then left for home before we drank too much Guinness. We had the ring of kerry to drive in the morning and didn’t want to have hangovers!
Big sleep before we do The Ring…… The famous ring of Kerry.
We found our hotel. All the good B&Bs were booked as its the bank holiday this weekend. So we arrived at the rather lovely Hibernian Hotel and found it was lovely. They gave us an upgrade to a suite ! We thought lucky us but it seems it could be a backhander as she warned there maybe noise due to the late night disco on the ground floor. Yikes! But there were double glazed windows so we slept v well.
That afternoon we visited the castle and like everything else it is very old and gradually being done up. It’s set in beautiful grounds. We walked around the town, window shopping and visiting churches. I must say for a catholic country it doesn’t feel very catholic. In fact the religion seems to be drinking ! There are so many pubs. I’ve developed a taste for Guinness and cider.
We had a really great dinner at Zuni a small restaurant we found near the hotel and the food was lovely.
We spent the night in the “suite” and didn’t hear the pub noise, though the next morning they told us it lasted till 3am! My earplugs worked well.
The next morning we walked around the v quiet town and took some photos before heading for Kinsale and onto Kenmare.
We have a VW polo and Steve is enjoying driving…. I think! I’m enjoying being a passenger.
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| In Dublin fair city….where the girls are so pretty ….I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone. |
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| Loved the street theatre. These ones made us laugh. |
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| St Anne’s Street. The streets are great for wandering |
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| Beautiful flowers on every street |
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| Went to the Library and there were some great scenes from the past. |
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| St Anne’s Street Dublin. Streets are wonderful to wander along. Lots to see |
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| View from the house in Canary Wharf |
Had to get up very early to make our way to the station then Gatwick airport. We’d had a lovely meal cooked by our host Ian the night before and a few glasses of Italian red so it was hard to get up!
But we made it to Gatwick – not the best airport in the world. It always seems crowded with groups of people going on cheap holidays to Europe . All flying Rynair which is not the best airline, but you get what you pay for….. and have to keep paying for anything extra. It’s a free for all when boarding starts! I’m surprised you don’t have to pay to use the toilets!
The plane left late and we arrived into Dublin around 11.30 a and at our hotel, Wynn’s Hotel, too early to check in. So we found a pub( really easy in Ireland) and had lunch. Both of us had cider as its so refreshing.
The Hotel in Abby St was a good find. It’s old, central, lovely room for a big breakfast and nice comfortable room ( 5th floor overlooking Abbey St , with an opening window)
We were an easy walk to the bridge across to the main area for bars and music.
Really enjoyed our days wandering the streets of Dublin. Did a walking tour which included the university – a good thing to do.
Also did the hop on and off bus and tours of the Guinness brewery and Jameisons whiskey. Both really good. Had lunch at Guinness on the top floor. Really good.
So we got the taxi across to Islington / Angel. What a great area. Lots going on . Fantastic shops, restaurants people. Staying with Ian and Ali Barnes an old school friend of Steve’s. They have a 5 story house on a really interesting street. We sat in their garden and had drinks and the. A walk around the area. A glass of chilled Prosecco and a chat filled the time till we left for dinner. We went to a great middle eastern place Ottolunghi. Long white shared tables with candles in between eaters. Lots of wine. Lots of yummy share plates -spiced beetroot, lamb and smoked eggplant , duck, octopus. I’m going to buy the cookbook and treat all my friends to some great dishes.
TUESDAY
Woke early. Had coffee and hit the road for the city. Steve decided to stay and help move Ian’s son into his new house. I went and had coffee with Fee a lovely friend of Robs. Then lots of wandering. Bond street – where I pretended to be rich ( didn’t convince anyone) Burlington Arcade, St James St and eventually the National Art Gallery . We we going to meet Phoebe but her building had no power so she had to work from home. So Steve met me and we wandered thought the beautiful Gallery. Saw the Titian exhibition including the room with the peep hole into a bathroom with a nude lady moving about going about doing what one does in the bathroom . Phoebe who works for the Gallery told us all about it ……
Now I’m sitting sipping a chilled white in the kitchen while Ian cooks dinner. What a lovely day.
Hello to all at home and I’m sorry I haven ‘t put photos on yet but uploading them to the iPad is more difficult than I thought .
Tomorrow the lad of the wee little green people. Xxxxx
Wait wait wait. We sat on the ground until neighbours from other little houses in the mews type of place started to chat and offered us chairs, drinks, and even access to her house . Such friendly people! But where was the lady delivering the key for the owners -who were off to Canada to spend all the money we paid to rent their house !Eventually Scott arrived and was shocked to find us camped outside the house contemplating a break in. He rang the lady, found she had only waited 12 min for us before leaving. Not a great start!
But it all turned out o – we got in so we went to our local The Gun had drinks and dinner and watched the Aussie girls win the 4+100 relay.
We were getting ready for bed when music started up in the house . What a shock. Turns out it was the door bell! there was Marcus one of the friendly neighbours wondering if we had any tickets to sell! Ten minutes and 195 pounds later….. I was about to get into bed when…… The theme from the Godfather started up again. This time it was Mike another neighbour hoping we had got in ok and if we wanted any pizza! And so to sleep.
SUNDAY:
Had a great nights sleep before Steve and I headed off to Horse Guards for morning Chapel for a beautiful service of good music and lovely singing. Then lunch with Phoebe Rouse and her man
Warren. What a great time we had-lots of talk and laughs all in a fun setting . Gordon’s wine bar in
Villers St Embankment. Phoebe and I had a huge catch up and. Steve I checked out Warren for her
parents! We approve J&P. You will like him and we can see he makes Phoebe very happy.
While we were doing this the others were off at the first waterpolo game. Sadly they lost to Italy 8-5.
Everyone met up at the house and after much discussion of the game we headed out the The Gun for
drinks and dinner. It was a beautiful night and The Gun looks across tot he big stadium O2? where the basket ball is being played.
Highlights of the day: Cruising home along the Thames after lunch. The river was busy, the sights spectacular and even a few little showers didn’t spoil the day.
frans travel tales 