Lessons learnt

1. We need to lose weight... In my case A LOT of weight ... And get fitter⚠🏊

2. No more carrying anything... Wheelie cases all the way 

3. Get some sensible walking shoes - my feet are crippled 😕👠

4....maybe we need to think carefully about our intended itinerary as I have come to the awful realisation that I am no longer 23....😢

Wexford and home

Well we have been home for a few days and life gets in the way of blogging! We had a nice night in Wexford then caught the ferry from Rosslare to Fishguard. The crossing was smooth and we arrived on time only to discover there was an hour - yes an hour - wait for a train!!! So onwards to Cardiff quick run into Greggs for some sustenance then home to BOT.

So what have we learnt from this mini walk about... 

Cork to Waterford

By bus!!! 2 hours 15 mins with some nice scenery and some interesting fellow bus travellers! I can listen to the accent for hours so lovely. 

Anyway we missed the stop to the hotel and it took us a little while (ok an hour) to get back.... Not great when dying for the loo!)

Tomorrow onto Wexford for our last night!

Kissing the Blarney Stone

So we caught a bus to the Blarney Castle about 30 minutes outside of Cork. So says Doug...should we take cash?... No say I because everyone takes cards....Everyone it would seem but Blarney Castle. So after a trek across a village green which had one solitary tree in the middle of it (we are convinced there was a bull hiding somewhere)we got into the grounds of the castle. 

The grounds are beautiful and I took quite a few pictures.

After one attempt at climbing the tower to reach the stone (I had a panic attack due to the teeny tiny steps enclosed into a tower....then after watching lots of elderly people going up decided I had to) I psyched myself up and climbed the 100 steps to the top.

If you have not been to Blarney Castle or seen the where the stone is situated you may be in for a shock!!! The pictures below are of my hubby (he managed to not take a single picture of me after pressing the wrong button on my iPhone - since I was hanging upside down by the time he has realised I was most definitely not in a position to assist- and I wasn't doing it again!!)

After the required kissing of the stone we had a picnic in the grounds and a walk around to appreciate the beautiful gardens.

Cork

So we are now in Cork for two days and today we are having a lazy day going not much! Off to see the Blarney Stone tomorrow and further explore Cork...

Limerick

And then we got on a train and went to Limerick! That's as much as I am saying about that!

Loved Dublin

Well we absolutely loved Dublin- we paid for the hop on hop off bus which was great. (Not in the above picture!)After hopping on and hopping off at the railway station to pick up our rail tickets we decided to go to The Brazen Head for a pint. It's the oldest pub in Dublin and a gorgeous place with lots of atmosphere. After lunch we hopped back  on the bus and took a trip to see Molly Malone, had a wander down Grafton street (where I have never seen so many people collecting for various causes) then back over the River Liffey to the hotel. I love the green postboxes and had to take a picture! Some of the buildings are gorgeous too covered in greenery! Definitely a place to come back to!!!

Some pics of Dublin 

Dublin

Arrived in one piece - the ferry was over 3 hours but passed quickly. Was a bit chaotic getting off as there were 3 buses waiting take everyone to Dublin town and it was a bit random! Anyway made it, found the hotel, had a quick shower and out!!! Some pics!

Us!

On our way!

I have mixed up my blogs.... Mistake learnt! Anyway now on the way to Bangor after an eventful morning so far.... Conked out train, fell up the stairs at Birmingham and only just made our connection to Crewe.

Now sitting in first class enjoying a cuppa!

Off to the Emerald Isle!!

So at short notice we are off.... First stop Dublin!!! Train to Holyhead then ferry across the Irish Sea!!!! Woohoo

....to Southern Ireland

Not had much time to plan the dream trip but we are off for a short train trip around Southern Ireland - we leave on Friday from Holyhead and return on the following Thursday from Rosslare.... The inbetween bit is yet to come!! Will be looking at hotels later tonight and I have of course been consulting www. seat61.co.uk for advice!