• Leanne Coade
Aug – Oct 2017

Ireland and The United Kingdom

A 43-day adventure by Leanne Read more
  • Trip start
    August 20, 2017

    Dublin, Ireland

    August 20, 2017 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    After a day of waiting around in the airport in Vienna we arrived in Dublin to start the next part of our adventure. We were unsure what would await us at our accommodation at 6 Buckingham Street Lower as we were told it is a less desirable area. We didn't have any problems, it was very close to downtown Dublin, and the apartment was very secure. It was an older building so the floors weren't always level but this is all part of the fun.Read more

  • Merchant's Arch Pub at the end of Ha'Penny Bridge
    Guiness StorehouseGuiness advertisingGeorgian buildings

    Dublin, Ireland

    August 21, 2017 in Ireland ⋅ 🌧 17 °C

    Loving Ireland and especially the Irish people. I love their lilting speech and wonderful sense of humour, they are so friendly and happy. Had a wonderful time exploring Dublin on the Hop on Hop off bus started out at 8.30am and arrived home around 9.30pm, didn't stop all day. Enjoyed a Guinness and Lager at the Guinness Storehouse, love all the flowers especially the ones outside the pubs. Had a great time on the night tour.Read more

  • Chapel RoyalOscar Wilde

    Dublin, Ireland

    August 22, 2017 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    What a fantastic day, all 14 hours of it. First meeting Marian Fitzpatrick who I haven't seen in years. We met Marian at the entrance to Trinity College then went for coffee for a catch up, such a long time has passed. We then went sight seeing with Marian. Firstly to Dublin Castle, the Chapel Royal and the Palace, the guide was so passionate about the history of not only the castle but anything you wanted to ask her about Dublin and Ireland. We also visited a ceramic exhibition and the paintings in the Museum. We walked through Merrion Square with its beautiful gardens and flowers and saw the statue of Oscar Wilde. We had a cuppa at the very up market Shelbourne Hotel, yes silver service, where all the celebrities and dignitaries hang out. The Hotel is opposite Stephen's Green so had a walk through these gardens as well. From here Marian walked us to the Gaiety Theatre where we left her as we had tickets to Riverdance. The show was fantastic especially with the VIP tickets we unbeknowingly purchased. I sat next to the lead dancer's parents so a lot of yelling and cheering from very proud parents.Read more

  • Emerald Isle
    Waterford - Viking buildingMurals in Waterford

    Dublin to Cork, Ireland

    August 23, 2017 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Picked up the car from the airport today and drove from Dublin to Cork via Killarney and Waterford. We took the backroads enjoying the beautiful green hills and stone stacked fences sectioning off the lush emerald fields. Some backroads have speeds of 100km per hour - not possible I say. Then you have some cars travelling at 50km per hour when it is 120 km. We stopped in Waterford and walked around the town centre, had a quick visit to the Waterford Crystal factory and saw the remains of the Viking Wall dating back to AD914. I think I want to name Waterford - Op Shop Central, we must have passed at least 15 of them. They did have some amazing murals throughout the town. Arrived in Cork about 6.15pm have had dinner now for an early night after our big days and nights in Dublin.Read more

  • Framed
    Blarney CastleKissing the StoneInside the CastleCastle GroundsWindy Cliffs of Moher

    Blarney Castle & Cliffs of Moher

    August 24, 2017 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Well another magical day. Blue sky at the Blarney Castle, kissed the Blarney Stone. I wish I had spent a day here wandering around the grounds, they are so beautiful. We then headed to the West Coast to visit the Cliffs of Moher. Luckily for us the rain held off. As we drove into the car park the rain was pouring down sideways from the wind, we put on our wet weather gear and it stopped just long enough for us to walk along the Cliffs and snap our photos. We headed back to Cork through Tipperary, a busy little city with lots of old style charm. Love the Emerald Isle. Everyday just gets better.Read more

  • Wildflowers against the rocky coastline
    Wildflowers and sheep dotting the rock outcropsNo colour enhancement needed - true colourStone wallsCliffs of KerryHeather and sheep dotting the hillsCliffs of Kerry

    Ring of Kerry, Skellig Ring, Ireland

    August 25, 2017 in Ireland ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    Drove from Cork to Kenmore, this was our starting point for our sightseeing around the Ring of Kerry and the Skellig Ring today. Couldn't believe the wild flowers on the side of the road and purple/pink heather all over the mountains. Large Red Fushia bushes growing wild on the roadside, orange, yellow, purple flowers and wild blackberries everywhere. The homes all have the largest hydrangeas bushes I've ever seen with colours from white to pale pink to blue to purple to almost a red - stunning. The scenery was amazing - deep emerald green fields held in by rock walls dotted with white sheep. Rugged stony outcrops laced with lichens. The sheer Cliffs of Kerry at Portmagee and sleepy fishing villages. Grand!Read more

  • Sheep wandering free on Common land
    Looking out from Keem BayKeem BayHeatherPaul and I at Keem BayMist over the mountain

    Killarney to Achill Island, Ireland

    August 26, 2017 in Ireland ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    Yesterday we drove from Killarney up through Limerick, Galway, Westport and on to Achill Island to stay with Marian and Paul in their holiday home at Achill Sound. After arriving Paul and Marian drove us to Keems Bay for a walk along the beach where some crazy people were swimming.Read more

  • Village ruins
    Potato moundsTurf cut from the bog

    Achill Island, Ireland

    August 27, 2017 in Ireland ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    Marian, Mim and I went for a walk through the ruins of an old village that existed at the time of the Potato Famine. You could still see the potato mounds and imagine how life would have been, a very hard life and desperate times. The sheep now wander amongst the ruins and graze on the heather which grows in abundance on the bog fields. After the walk Paul met us for coffee then took us for a drive around the Atlantic Way on the Island. We had a wonderful time catching up with Paul and Marian and enjoyed every moment of their hospitality, we were spoilt.Read more

  • The Fairies Forest
    Fairy doors everywhereDonegal Bay at low tideDonegal CastleClassiebawn Castle

    Donegal, Ireland

    August 28, 2017 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    We left Achill Island in the rain and wind this morning, we have been very fortunate so far with the weather. On our way we drove to the headland of Mullaghmore, we read the town was where Lord Mountbatten holidayed and had been assassinated whilst fishing off these shores, coincidentally the anniversary of his death had been on 27 August. The reason for our detour had been to view a Castle that is prominent on Mullaghmore's skyline, Classiebawn Castle which was formerly the holiday home of Lord Mountbatten.

    We then travelled along the banks of the Lower Lough Erne which took us into Northern Ireland on our way to Enniskillen. We were hoping for some scenery, but the roads are narrow and right up to the tree line so there is no room for stopping and we only had glimpses of the lake at times. Once we reached Enniskillen and had lunch we followed the opposite bank of the lake back to Ireland and onto Donegal. The rain had cleared by mid afternoon so we had a walk around town, our accommodation is right in the middle of town on Diamond Square. We walked along the banks of the Eske river which flows into Donegal Bay. The walk amongst the moss covered trees was like walking through an enchanted forest, there were fairy doors in the nooks of the trees and mushrooms and toadstools growing in the mossy banks.
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  • Farmlands on our way to Derry
    Beaghmore Stone circles

    Londonderry (Derry), Northern Ireland

    August 29, 2017 in Northern Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    Today we left Donegal and travelled through Strabane, Omagh, Cookstown, Drumahoe and onto Londonderry (Derry). We stopped at the Beaghmore stone circles which were excavated from a bog in 1930. The stones are believed to be associated with earlier burial cairns. The breeze was blowing and the rain was coming down, we were ill prepared for the 9° temperature, so took a couple of hasty photos and jumped back in the car. The weather cleared once we arrived in Derry.Read more

  • Peace Mural
    St Columb Protestant ChurchLooking to Free Derry

    Londonderry (Derry), Northern Ireland

    August 30, 2017 in Northern Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    An interesting visit to Londonderry today. We walked the Derry City Wall which remains completely intact and has never been breached. A guide walked us along the city walls talking of the history of Londonderry and its volatile past. We also went on a walking tour with a brother of one of the innocent men killed in the Bloody Sunday March.

    Such a tumultuous past both political and religious - The British, the Irish, the Protestant, the Catholic. Lose of lives, damage to property, a voice wanting to be heard and recognised. Things have come a long way since the Bloody Sunday March, recognition of innocent lives lost but still .... what price for peace.
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  • Dark HedgesGiant's CausewayEnormous basalt columnsLarrybane Bay - ruins of fortLarrybane BayCarrick-A-Rede Rope BridgeLadder Farms in Glenarrif

    Antrim Coastal Drive, Northern Ireland

    August 31, 2017 in Northern Ireland ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    Today was a beautiful sunny day with bright blue skies, a great day for sightseeing. Our first stop travelling from Derry was to the Dark Hedges, around 94 enormous Beech trees planted over two centuries ago. The avenue of trees appears in the series Game of Thrones.

    We then followed the Antrim Coastal Road to the Giant's Causeway, a massive expanse of interlocking basalt columns, a result of volcanic activity. The coastline on such a perfect day was breathtaking. The vivid blues and greens in such contrast to the grey of the basalt.

    Next we traversed the Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge. A rope bridge 30 metres above the sea that allows fishermen to access their boats off a headland point to catch migrating salmon. Now the rope bridge is used mainly as a tourist attraction but there was a boat on the adjoining island that the fisherman still use. In Larrybane Bay you could also see the remains of a fort which sat on the headland around AD800.

    We continued along the coastline where we saw pretty coastal villages, a patchwork quilt of fields, and desolate plateaus laced with pink heather. The sides of the hills were hedged by compact shrubs and blackberries to form "ladder farms". These run up the side of the valley and give each farming family an equal share of lowland pasture and steeper land which is used mainly for grazing sheep. After navigating blind summits, hidden dips and yield signs for sheep and cows we finally reached Belfast in the late afternoon.
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  • No More
    Samson & GoliathQueen's Island, Titanic exhibitionStormont Parliament BuildingPeace WallBelfast City Hall

    Belfast, Northern Ireland

    September 1, 2017 in Northern Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Today we went on the Hop On Hop off Bus tour of Belfast, it was wonderful to hear the Northern Irish Brogue and their craic about Belfast. Things like their famous 24 hour Tesco store that advertises it's open 24 hours a day but shuts at 9.00pm every night.

    An important part of Belfast is the Queen's Island area that has the twin yellow shipbuilding gantry cranes, Samson and Goliath, which are prominent on the city skyline. This shipyard is where Titanic was built. Although ships are no longer built here the yards are still used for the maintenance of ships and the building of the giant wind turbines that are dotted throughout the country. Also situated on Queen's Island is the studio for Game of Thrones.

    We continued onto Stormont Parliament Building which is the seat of the Northern Ireland Assembly. To camouflage the building during World War II, the building's stone was painted with supposedly removable "paint" made of bitumen and cow manure. However, after the war, removing the paint proved an enormous difficulty and still stains the stone. Now they say there is shit both inside and outside the building. Some more Irish craic.

    We toured both the Unionist and the Republican sides of the city. Belfast you have come a long way in working towards peace but still to see the physical divide of a Peace Wall that is closed off at night and on weekends is saddening. The Peace Wall is used to minimise inter-communal violence between Catholics (most of whom are nationalists who self-identify as Irish) and Protestants (most of whom are unionists who self-identify as British). One mural in particular speaks of what, I hope, will be the future. The mural is based on the poem No More and is designed to send a message to those who wish to continue violence that the next generation wants no part of it.
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  • Stone hedges
    Newtownards on Strangford LoughStrangford LoughOn the ferry from PortaferrySleepy town of PortaferryLooking to Strangford

    Saint Patrick's Trail to Dublin, Ireland

    September 2, 2017 in Northern Ireland ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    The last day of our journey around Ireland and Northern Ireland we travelled from Belfast along Saint Patrick's Trail. Driving through Newtownards, that sits on the Strangford Lough, we travelled along the shoreline of the Lough ending in Portaferry where we caught a ferry across to Strangford. We travelled to the East of the Mourne Mountains to Newry and finally onto Dublin.

    Over the 14 days we have travelled 2,385 kilometres, we've seen beautiful rolling hills of emerald, gold and pink made into a patchwork of colours by the stone and shrub hedges. Viewed a rugged coastline greeting a clear blue green sea. We have had wonderful weather with crisp, fresh days of blue sky and only a few grey or wet days. I've loved the wild flowers that are sprinkled over the roadside and the pink and mauve heather that coats the bogs and hilltops; the black legs and black faces of the sheep that dot the countryside wherever you look. The quaint smaller towns, steeped in a history of churches, castles, ruins and pubs and the large cities that have come a long way towards peace and can optimistically see a brighter future. I love the brogue of the Irish, their humour and love of life, they are such a grand lot and know how to craic. We have only touched the surface of a beautiful country and hope to return to explore her some more.
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  • Red double decker bus through the Marble Arch
    Red Telephone BoothRed Post BoxRed Queen's GuardBlack London Cab outside Buckingham PalaceBuckingham Palace gatesDiana's White Memorial Garden - 20 yearsTrafalgar SquareEnormous trees in Buckingham Palace Gardens

    London, England

    September 3, 2017 in England ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Yesterday we had a big day. Flew from Dublin to London found our way to our accommodation in Earl's Court then went out exploring on foot. Walked around Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace. Saw the icons of London - red post box, red telephone booth, red Queen's guards, red double decker buses, and the black London cabs.Read more

  • Westminister and Big Ben
    Tower of LondonRaven at the TowerSculptures of monkeys that belonged to the Tower's menagerieTraitor's GateBeefeaters finished for the dayview of London from the battlementsTower BridgeSt Thomas's Tower

    London, England

    September 4, 2017 in England ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Day 2 in London Town. We started the day going on the Hop on Hop Off bus but it was very slow going around Buckingham Palace and Fleet Street, not necessarily the quickest way to see London. After lunch we took a short boat cruise from Westminster Pier to Tower Bridge, then spent the rest of the afternoon at the Tower of London. It was not crowded so had an enjoyable afternoon. After the Tower of London it was a walk from Tower Bridge along the Thames to Millennium Bridge then across to Southbank. By this time it was 6pm so headed back to our hotel.Read more

  • Queen's Mews
    Carnaby St mural, SohoKensington Palace stairwellHarrods Ice CreamHarrods

    London, England

    September 5, 2017 in England ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Another big day of sightseeing in London. After finishing our bus trip we went to the Queens Mews, this is where the Royal carriages are housed and the Queen's horses kept. Then we went on the Beatles walking tour which included a walk through the Royal Village, so many exclusive shops. From there over to Kensington Palace for a tour through the State rooms and the exhibition of Diana's dresses. Then another long walk to Harrods where we indulged in an enormous Harrods ice cream for dinner. I had a delicious Banoffi basket - vanilla and caramel ice cream, banana and caramel sauce in a lace waffle basket, very decadent. Thank heavens I walked all those kms today.Read more

  • Moat around The Tower of LondonTower of London from the ThamesBuildings of glass - City Hall, the ShardTower of London and Tower BridgeOnce wharves now exclusive waterside apartmentsThe Prospect of Whitby, one of the oldest Pubs on the ThamesOld Royal College looking to the Greenwich Observatory on the hillThe London Eye, with rare blue skiesKinky Boots at the Adelphi Theatre

    London, England

    September 6, 2017 in England ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Today we started our day with a tour of Tower Bridge getting the lift to the top then walking across the walkway, a magnificent view up and down the Thames. We then walked along the River Thames past City Hall, which looks like an armadillo, to London Bridge. London Bridge has been rebuilt five times. The previous London Bridge was sinking in the mud so it was dismantled brick by brick and bought by the Americans, and is now in Havasu City, Arizona. We did the London Bridge Experience with London Tombs a must do in London great fun, creepy and scary. After this we went over to Westminster then had a leisurely afternoon boat ride to Greenwich Village. We wandered through the Greenwich Markets before returning on the boat to the city. We stayed in town walking around until it was time to see the musical, Kinky Boots at the Adelphi Theatre. Thoroughly enjoyed the show, very entertaining.Read more

  • Looking up to St Paul's Cathedral
    Hidding his nuts for the winterView to Tower Bridge from St Paul'sDuck's Cottage in St James ParkQueen's Horse GuardNo closer for No. 10 Downing Street

    London, England

    September 7, 2017 in England ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    St Paul's Cathedral has stood for over 1400 years, the present Cathedral was designed by Christopher Wren. The inside of the Cathedral is magnificent, although we were unable to take photos. We managed to climb the 528 steps, a height of 85 metres, from the Cathedral floor to the Golden Gallery. The Golden Gallery allows you to walk around the outside of the top of the Cathedral, from there you have a great view of London in all directions, as long as the weather holds. Then it was off to Westminster Abbey, again no photos allowed. We did the audio tour here as well. To me it was a little morbid as the whole church is one big mausoleum for the kings and queens who died up until 1760. It is also where all the coronations of the monarch have taken place and a number of weddings.

    We then walked past St James Park on our way to the Horse Guards Parade before seeing 10 Downing Street. You can't get close to No. 10 as it is barricaded and heavily guarded. We again visited Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus for a little shopping and lastly Leicester Square to see M & M World and Lego World before having an earlier day.
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  • Windsor Castle

    Windsor Castle, England

    September 8, 2017 in England ⋅ 🌧 15 °C

    Off to visit the Queen, or at least her country residence at Windsor Castle. The Castle grounds and the village of Windsor are beautiful. The green in the photos hasn't been enhanced, it was a very grey day today with occasional rain. We are just starting to see the trees change their colour as autumn is on its way. We also had a great view of the changing of the guards, much better than Buckingham Palace as you are up close. We viewed the State rooms and St George's Chapel.Read more

  • Privy Garden
    Fountain CourtTudor brick styled ChimneysPrivy GardenKnot GardenOrangery with the many chimneysPond Garden with the Banqueting HallPond Garden and Banqueting Hall

    Hampton Court Palace, England

    September 9, 2017 in England ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    The last place we visited on our 6 day London Pass was Hampton Court Palace. The building of the Palace began in the 1500s by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, he was a favourite of King Henry VIII. The King seized the Palace when Wolsey fell out of favour. Numerous Monarchs have lived in the Palace and redesigned and extended on the original design. It is an enormous Palace with beautiful grounds with numerous manicured gardens. Not only could you do an audio tour but they also had an interactive tour with historic parts played by actors. We travelled onto Andover for our accommodation tonight.Read more

  • Castle CombeRoman Baths, Bath

    Stonehenge, Castle Combe and Bath

    September 10, 2017 in England ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    It was freezing walking around Stonehenge today, but luckily the rain held off. I am in awe of the extent of Stonehenge and how much is still unearthed. Throughout the countryside you can see the raised mounds of earth, barrows, they believe these to be where people were buried.
    We drove onto Castle Combe, a quaint village just outside of Chippenham. The beautiful village which looks and feels like it has been trapped in time has had a number of movies and series filmed there. The movies Stardust and War Horse are recent movies as well as the latest series of Downton Abbey.
    Next it was onto Bath, where I did an audio tour of the Roman Baths. The baths were started to be built around 60 - 70AD and were completed over the next 300 years. Various parts were changed throughout the centuries. I was amazed how much was on display of the old ruins and how you were still able to walk through the areas on the same cobblestones that Ancient Romans walked on. We also walked up to King's Circus, which was designed by John Wood, he believed Bath had been the principal centre of Druid activity in Britain so used Stonehenge's dimensions (318 feet) for The Circus' diameter. Divided into three segments of equal length, the Circus is a circular space surrounded by large townhouses. The Royal Crescent overlooks Bath and is a row of 30 terraced houses laid out in a sweeping crescent, these are of similar style to the Circus and were designed by John Wood's son.
    We then drove down the highway to Wellington Travelodge.
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  • Blown away at Land's EndLooking up to Land's End HotelTwo way streets, St IvesSt Ives at low tideSt Ives harbour

    Land's End, England

    September 11, 2017 in England ⋅ 🌬 14 °C

    The day started out with rain and wind, not looking good for our trip to Land's End, the furtherest village South in England. After 2 hrs 45 mins driving we arrived at Land's End to blue skies but very windy. How lucky we were. Had a great time walking along the cliff edges trying not to get blown away. Surprised at the photos we did get considering the wind and sea mist.
    We drove back along the coastline along some very narrow roads lined with rock walls covered in blackberries, hardly room for one car let alone passing room and then a double decker bus is heading towards you. What the ..... Finally we arrived at St Ives. We drove through the town centre taking turns in streets that had signs stating for small vehicles and motor bikes only. Again I found my way going up streets that look like dead ends only to have a car turn into the street and hope to pass me. Some laughs had at the impossible situations we ended up in, thankfully we made it through. I did a quick run down the many steps for photos of St Ives at low tide. The tide retreats so much that the entire harbour is high and dry. Would love to spend more time wandering along the coastline and taking some time out in St Ives. Maybe next visit.
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  • Beach Huts, Langland Bay
    Langland BayMore Beach hutsStill more Beach hutsThe Mumbles - Oystermouth Castle ruinsSigns in English and Welsh

    The Mumbles, South Wales

    September 12, 2017 in Wales ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Travelled from Wellington, Somerset to Pencoed, South Wales. We had a relaxing day walking around the shoreline of Langland Bay. There are great paths on the foreshore and could've walked around a number of bays but time didn't allow. We were lucky to get sunshine and no rain until late in the day. After we lunched in a great cafe overlooking the bay we drove around to The Mumbles a quiet seaside village which is on the opposite side of the bay to Swansea. We went for another stroll along the shore before heading off to visit Shirley Price's in-laws and friends of Mim's in Port Talbot. Had a great afternoon listening to their lilting banter all with different accents, Welsh, English, London and Cockney.Read more

  • The autumn leaves are starting to colourThe Old Windmill, one of the oldest pubs in CoventryLady Godiva statue, Coventry

    Stratford Upon Avon, England

    September 13, 2017 in England ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    An easy day of travel from Pencoed, Wales back to England to Stratford upon Avon. We tried to take the backroads to see a little more of the countryside but still the smaller roads are very busy with lots of trees on the road verges. We headed for some of the smaller towns and villages driving around the town centres to see the usual Church, Town clock, old pubs and ruins. Made for a lot of comedy of me trying to drive slow while Mim is trying to take snap shots between laughs. We did walk around Coventry where we saw Lady Godiva's statue and Spon Street that has had the buildings recreated from Medieval times.Read more