Day 26 to Finish - Ireland and England

A further update - this last week we have Visited Ireland then returned to London. Ireland was magnificent. We Departed on an early flight with RyanAir (a budget airline like EasyJet). We checked in to the hotel before seeking out the Guinness Storehouse for the tour. This was great fun with the building being enitrely dedicated to the tour on several levels. It explained this history and brewing process then you got a chance to line up to pur your own pint of Guinness. It is true what they say - Guinness definitely tastes better in Ireland! The tour concluded in the top of the building which was a glass bar with 360 degree views over the city. The the exit was, of course, by the shop where there was a long line to buy pretty pricey merchandise. Then it was back to the Hotel for dinner. The hotel was nice, but a fair distance out of the city and a 10 minute walk after a 40 minute LUAS tram ride. The next day was the obligatory bus tour with a stop off at Killmainham Gaol which was interesting learning about the history of the city and the executions conducted there - many of those executed were political prisoners. It is reputedly one of the biggest restored gaols in the world and several films including "In The Name Of The Father" were filmed there. Then it was the completion of the tour, a return to the hotel and a visit to the Arlington Hotel O'Connell's Bridge for a traditional Irish show. Midnight to sleep and 4:30 am start to catch a taxi to the airport for our flight back to Liverpool. Then lunch and farewell to Mike and Pam for the drive in a rental car back to Sharon's place at Welwyn Garden City. A visit followed to Bletchly Park - where the enigma code was broken by some very clever people. Then it was St Albans Sunday, golf at a local course Monday and tonight we are heading to the Oval to (hopefully) watch the Black Caps beat England in the T20. 2 days until we are on the plane home. Hard to believe how quickly the time has gone..

                                                          The LUAS Tram System

                                      

                                         
                                                     Entrance To The Guinness Store House

                                                      An Essential Ingredient - Water

                                                           Adrian Missed His Calling

                                                                  45 Degree Angle?

                                                               Views From The Top

                                             A 7000 Year Lease Signed By Arthur Guinness

                                                    The Line To Buy Merchandise

                                                                         The Gaol

                                        A Pub Where Plentiful Rugby Conversations Were Held

Days 17- 26 - Tripping Around The UK

This time was spend visitjng rellies and vising Kirklees Light Railway (Doreen), Leeds (Heather and Ian), The National Railway Museum - York,  Ponteland Near newcastle (Roy and Susan), Edinburgh (B&B), Rosslyn, Helensburgh (Jo and John) and Carlisle (Pauline and Richie).

Lots of good times were had and lots of photos were taken - a selection of which I will post here. We are still having a great time. The plan in the next few days is to head to Dublin (Guinness tour!!!) and then down to Sharons in Welwyn Garden City for the last bit of the trip. I will try to post an update this time next week.

 We arrived just in time for the Queens Birthday 21 gun salute, the band's departure and the changing of the guard!

                                                         The Royal Standard Flying

                                                            The Scottish Parliament

                                                         Views Around Ebinburgh

                                                                      An Aussie Pub!

                                        Rosslyn Chapel Of Dan Brown and Freemasons Fame

                                                         Forth Rail and Road Bridges

                                                                   Stirling Castle

                                                                    Loch Lomond

                                                            Fastlane Submarine Base

                                                              Richie and Pauline

                                              NRM - Chunnel Mock Up and Locomotives

                                                     This Chinese Loco is MASSIVE

Day 16 - The Journey Back To The UK

Hi again all! Sitting on the ferry preparing for departure and reflecting on a great week in the Isle of Man. This trip has been so special for a variety of reasons. The Manx people, including our hosts Jen, Justine and Ebony (Eb) have been so friendly as to be unbelievable. So many people went out of our way to help us in so many ways it reminds one of home. The weather could not have possible been better. Not a drop of rain has fallen on us since we set foot on the Isle. Everyone we meet keeps telling us we have had the best weather they can remember. the logistics have worked out magnificently. Just a brilliant and unforgettable experience that makes you reflect on how lucky you are to be able to do it. I promise lots of photos will be posted tonight UK time so that you can all see what we have been going on about!

We have about a week of visiting family now, so the blogs will become less frequent, but we wil do some more daily stuff when we go to our mystery destination for a few days. Watch this space!!

                                                           On The Douglas Prominade

                                                                 Douglas Crest

Leaving Douglas