.. and this one has been a long time coming due to unforseen circumstances!
Leaving Norwich and our security blanket behind us (believe me it was nice to be so spoilt and for the first time in our lives we were someone's nieces!!) we trekked off across England, through Wales and on to the Ferry for Ireland.
Less than an hour after we left a huge gust of wind (typical English weather) caught our windscreen wipers and literally blew them away.. honest.. and it continued to rain on and off for most of the day. Picture this.. driving a short distance, stopping and leaning out of the van to clear the windows.. yes funny now but not at the time I can assure you all.
And Nelly (our Navman) kindly took us the quickest route.. and yes I hear you all say they are only as good as they are programmed.. but you should have told us BEFORE we left. Anyway after travelling the M11 and the A11 for god knows how long we traversed England seeing the worst scenery possible; up across Birmingham and miles of Coronation Street houses veering west across Birkenhead from Liverpool into Llandudno and some lovely contryside in Northern Wales. The highlight of the day was arriving at Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch and if I was a betting person I bet most of you (Roger aside) can't say that! Spending the night in this little one horse town listening to Gaelic we soon realised we had at last encountered the language problems. I must say the fish and chips were the best food we had on the road (and since).
Being the scrooges we are the following morning we stopped at Holyhead and bought some 'provisions' for the crossings.. water, sandwiches and some fruit. Just as well we had as the cost of food on the Ferry was astronomical AND in Euros!
Arriving in Dublin at 6pm (rush hour traffic AND raining WITHOUT any wipers) was fun NOT!! Forced to park the van and look for somewhere to stay we opted out for a small B & B 15 minutes north of Dublin. It was about 5 degrees, freezing and wet so camping was out of the question.
Our first day in Ireland was spent walking 100 miles from one side of Dublin to the other doing all the touristy things imaginable.. the Guiness Factory, Temple Bar, the River Liffey, train to Malahide and a few drinks in an Irish Pub where we supped a wine or two with some 'locals' (average age 60!!) and had them singing Danny Boy before leaving for our digs, which, thank goodness were within walking distance.
Heading off for Westport on the Westcoast of Ireland we then traversed Ireland stopping briefly to chat up a Mechanic to fix our wipers. He was lovely (and cute) and in the flick of a spanner had them screwed on tightly and working perfectly. A great start for our sojourn around Ireland.
With the rain following us we arrived in Westport to fantastic scenery, good internet, freezing cold and pouring rain. I must say Westport is similar terrain to Westport in the South Island - rugged and exotic. The mist swirled around Croagh Patrick as ventured out to explore.
Drive south through the stunning Delphi Valley and Coonemara National Park passing by an ancient Benedictine Abbey we had several photo stops despite the rapidly dropping temperatures.
As the weather held us up we didn't quite make it to Dingle (in the South) before nightfall and stopped at a godawful place we wish to forget!
Hi, Coraleen here taking over...
Yes, we stayed ( on a Saturday night as well) in some place called Newcastle West and after walking into town, we couldnt even find decent food.
Anyway, we had a nice breakfast and then drove to Dingle which was simply stunning. The drive in and the place once we arrived were amazing. We found a neat B and B and then set off to explore. We travelled the coastline in a circle, arriving back where we started in the most amazing wind. We had 4 layers of clothing on( including thermals) and were still cold but it was well worth it. We walked into town again that night (still decked out like nanok of the North) and had a chinese and a lovely evening in the bar listening to Irish songs from a pretty good Irish Band. I requested Danny Boy (again) but they sang it fast, and it is a song best sung slow...and then home again where we discovered the wind had died down. We woke the next day to sunshine and no wind so the trip back out and onto Killarney and Kenmare was just beautiful. The scenery was simply breathtaking and it took us all day to drive it as we kept stopping every 15 mins for photos. We eventually arrived in Blarney ( we were intending to stop at Bantry but couldnt find a decent place to stay and had decided by now to only stay in nice places as we were paying $70 (NZ$) each per night.)
We got up early the next morning and drove the 5 mins to the Blarney castle. Everybody visits here so getting there early was a good idea. I am not sure how many of you relaise that going backwards to kiss the Blarney stone is done because you are up the equivalent of 5 stories in a decaying castle ( being held together in places by metal bars) anyway when you go over backwards this old man holds on to you (yes, it is almost as bad as it sounds) but I did it even tho I came up dizzy at the end. After spending an hour walking the magnificent grounds ( and making some wishes regarding my children on the wishing steps) we drove on to Cork, where we eventually found parking after figuring out that "Parking with a Disc" simply meant you bought one from any shop!!!. We did the walk recommended by the Ireland book we had purchased at the beginning, which was okay but there was nothing much really to see, although a couple of nice old churches, but you do get to see a few of these and really, the ones in Europe are about 300 years older.
We drove on that night to Waterford (home of crystal) and discovered a lovely B and B on the outskirts. This was the night we truly discovered that Vicki had left her Passports behind in England (under the bed it was finally discovered). We were leaving for France the next day!!! We went to the pub that night and we were given a number of suggestions by the locals on how to get around this problem, but as none were legal, decided against taking their advice.
The next day we drove to Rosslere, where the ferry departed from and managed to board with no problem ( unless of course you count the hour long wait in the queue where we were both busting to go to the loo, so asked if we could go behind some parked cars and they agreed under duress), anyway, our theory was, as long as she got on board, we were safe...I spent 16 of the 18 hour crossing lying in my bunk ( no slumming it here) and was still feeling nauseous several hours after departing the boat. Vicki on the other hand had no such problems and enjoyed the company of a number of blokes, of which one particular Irish lad informed her that when you arrive in France you just drive off and there is no border control, so she wasnt worried at all...She was wrong!! There was border control and there was also a big black man with a machine gun. When asked for our Passports, I cgave mine and then Vicki produced her photo copy and explained the situation (lying thru her teeth as to why it was in England) and eventually he let us thru...his last words were, what else can I do...our thoughts exactely!!
So France at last and the driving needed to be reversed. We have come to grips with it now (sort of) but the first couple of days is hair raising to say the least and Vicki drove as I was still exceptionally seedy. We drove down to St Malo and had our first night camping...and I can honestly say our last at this point in time but we will camp again.....honestly. We went into town and it transpired that St Malo is actually a really old walled city and was lovely to walk around, after spending an hour trying to get a park. All of the parking has height restrictions, so Molly the van couldnt fit in as we have a top box!!.There is also a 17th century fort in the harbour (a bit like Alcatraz) and is pretty impressive. We headed back to camp and awoke to a coldish day so after showers etc headed for Bordeaux and our next stop.....St Emilion. We spent 2 nights here in the camp ground but in a cabin, and the place is pure magic....an absolute must see for anyone in this area of France.
Photos to come.. when we get an internet site that allows us to upload!!
Leaving Norwich and our security blanket behind us (believe me it was nice to be so spoilt and for the first time in our lives we were someone's nieces!!) we trekked off across England, through Wales and on to the Ferry for Ireland.
Less than an hour after we left a huge gust of wind (typical English weather) caught our windscreen wipers and literally blew them away.. honest.. and it continued to rain on and off for most of the day. Picture this.. driving a short distance, stopping and leaning out of the van to clear the windows.. yes funny now but not at the time I can assure you all.
And Nelly (our Navman) kindly took us the quickest route.. and yes I hear you all say they are only as good as they are programmed.. but you should have told us BEFORE we left. Anyway after travelling the M11 and the A11 for god knows how long we traversed England seeing the worst scenery possible; up across Birmingham and miles of Coronation Street houses veering west across Birkenhead from Liverpool into Llandudno and some lovely contryside in Northern Wales. The highlight of the day was arriving at Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch and if I was a betting person I bet most of you (Roger aside) can't say that! Spending the night in this little one horse town listening to Gaelic we soon realised we had at last encountered the language problems. I must say the fish and chips were the best food we had on the road (and since).
Being the scrooges we are the following morning we stopped at Holyhead and bought some 'provisions' for the crossings.. water, sandwiches and some fruit. Just as well we had as the cost of food on the Ferry was astronomical AND in Euros!
Arriving in Dublin at 6pm (rush hour traffic AND raining WITHOUT any wipers) was fun NOT!! Forced to park the van and look for somewhere to stay we opted out for a small B & B 15 minutes north of Dublin. It was about 5 degrees, freezing and wet so camping was out of the question.
Our first day in Ireland was spent walking 100 miles from one side of Dublin to the other doing all the touristy things imaginable.. the Guiness Factory, Temple Bar, the River Liffey, train to Malahide and a few drinks in an Irish Pub where we supped a wine or two with some 'locals' (average age 60!!) and had them singing Danny Boy before leaving for our digs, which, thank goodness were within walking distance.
Heading off for Westport on the Westcoast of Ireland we then traversed Ireland stopping briefly to chat up a Mechanic to fix our wipers. He was lovely (and cute) and in the flick of a spanner had them screwed on tightly and working perfectly. A great start for our sojourn around Ireland.
With the rain following us we arrived in Westport to fantastic scenery, good internet, freezing cold and pouring rain. I must say Westport is similar terrain to Westport in the South Island - rugged and exotic. The mist swirled around Croagh Patrick as ventured out to explore.
Drive south through the stunning Delphi Valley and Coonemara National Park passing by an ancient Benedictine Abbey we had several photo stops despite the rapidly dropping temperatures.
As the weather held us up we didn't quite make it to Dingle (in the South) before nightfall and stopped at a godawful place we wish to forget!
Hi, Coraleen here taking over...
Yes, we stayed ( on a Saturday night as well) in some place called Newcastle West and after walking into town, we couldnt even find decent food.
Anyway, we had a nice breakfast and then drove to Dingle which was simply stunning. The drive in and the place once we arrived were amazing. We found a neat B and B and then set off to explore. We travelled the coastline in a circle, arriving back where we started in the most amazing wind. We had 4 layers of clothing on( including thermals) and were still cold but it was well worth it. We walked into town again that night (still decked out like nanok of the North) and had a chinese and a lovely evening in the bar listening to Irish songs from a pretty good Irish Band. I requested Danny Boy (again) but they sang it fast, and it is a song best sung slow...and then home again where we discovered the wind had died down. We woke the next day to sunshine and no wind so the trip back out and onto Killarney and Kenmare was just beautiful. The scenery was simply breathtaking and it took us all day to drive it as we kept stopping every 15 mins for photos. We eventually arrived in Blarney ( we were intending to stop at Bantry but couldnt find a decent place to stay and had decided by now to only stay in nice places as we were paying $70 (NZ$) each per night.)
We got up early the next morning and drove the 5 mins to the Blarney castle. Everybody visits here so getting there early was a good idea. I am not sure how many of you relaise that going backwards to kiss the Blarney stone is done because you are up the equivalent of 5 stories in a decaying castle ( being held together in places by metal bars) anyway when you go over backwards this old man holds on to you (yes, it is almost as bad as it sounds) but I did it even tho I came up dizzy at the end. After spending an hour walking the magnificent grounds ( and making some wishes regarding my children on the wishing steps) we drove on to Cork, where we eventually found parking after figuring out that "Parking with a Disc" simply meant you bought one from any shop!!!. We did the walk recommended by the Ireland book we had purchased at the beginning, which was okay but there was nothing much really to see, although a couple of nice old churches, but you do get to see a few of these and really, the ones in Europe are about 300 years older.
We drove on that night to Waterford (home of crystal) and discovered a lovely B and B on the outskirts. This was the night we truly discovered that Vicki had left her Passports behind in England (under the bed it was finally discovered). We were leaving for France the next day!!! We went to the pub that night and we were given a number of suggestions by the locals on how to get around this problem, but as none were legal, decided against taking their advice.
The next day we drove to Rosslere, where the ferry departed from and managed to board with no problem ( unless of course you count the hour long wait in the queue where we were both busting to go to the loo, so asked if we could go behind some parked cars and they agreed under duress), anyway, our theory was, as long as she got on board, we were safe...I spent 16 of the 18 hour crossing lying in my bunk ( no slumming it here) and was still feeling nauseous several hours after departing the boat. Vicki on the other hand had no such problems and enjoyed the company of a number of blokes, of which one particular Irish lad informed her that when you arrive in France you just drive off and there is no border control, so she wasnt worried at all...She was wrong!! There was border control and there was also a big black man with a machine gun. When asked for our Passports, I cgave mine and then Vicki produced her photo copy and explained the situation (lying thru her teeth as to why it was in England) and eventually he let us thru...his last words were, what else can I do...our thoughts exactely!!
So France at last and the driving needed to be reversed. We have come to grips with it now (sort of) but the first couple of days is hair raising to say the least and Vicki drove as I was still exceptionally seedy. We drove down to St Malo and had our first night camping...and I can honestly say our last at this point in time but we will camp again.....honestly. We went into town and it transpired that St Malo is actually a really old walled city and was lovely to walk around, after spending an hour trying to get a park. All of the parking has height restrictions, so Molly the van couldnt fit in as we have a top box!!.There is also a 17th century fort in the harbour (a bit like Alcatraz) and is pretty impressive. We headed back to camp and awoke to a coldish day so after showers etc headed for Bordeaux and our next stop.....St Emilion. We spent 2 nights here in the camp ground but in a cabin, and the place is pure magic....an absolute must see for anyone in this area of France.
Photos to come.. when we get an internet site that allows us to upload!!
2 comments:
I can't imagine you guys doing half of this stuff! Is so fantastic to hear about your adventurous time and am so pleased you're both "pushing" yourselves a bit. Love you both.. is so odd not having my Momma on the end of the emails 24/7. :( xxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox favourite daughter and niece.
Hi Vick
Phyll gave me your blog address this morning - great to catch up with your adventures - I'm jealous! Shame that meeting up with Jo didn't work out.
All the best,
Iris xx
Post a Comment