UK and Ireland

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Day 24
Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 10:52 AM
☀️ 54 °F
Altitude: 67 m
England Saint John's College, Oxford 51.755, -1.25666751°45’18” N 1°15’24” W
Oxford
April 20, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 54 °F
So many really cool buildings, but I suppose that's to be expected in Oxford. More Harry Potter filming sites, and one of the colleges has a deer park! The plain short-ish tower you see is Saxon Tower, the oldest building in Oxford. The fan-vaulted ceiling is the inside of the Divinity School (part of Bodleian Library).Read more
TravelerLooks like another neat old city for wandering
4/20/23Reply
Back on trip [Gail and Wendy]
4/21/23Reply
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Day 24
Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 3:32 PM
🌬 59 °F
Altitude: 84 m
England University of Oxford 51.753333, -1.25833351°45’12” N 1°15’30” W
Ashmolean Museum
April 20, 2023 in England ⋅ 🌬 59 °F
Yep, another museum :P I just can't help myself. Bonus: more shots of the city center as I was leaving Ashmolean for the train station. The building with the Labyrinth banners is the actual museum.
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Day 25
Friday, April 21, 2023 at 1:32 PM
☁️ 54 °F
Altitude: 34 m
England Chester 53.188333, -2.89166753°11’18” N 2°53’30” W
Chester
April 21, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 54 °F
Chester is a little like Wells in that it was actually even neater than I expected. The little streets with all the half-timbered buildings are the Chester Rows, a unique shopping area with very old, historic buildings housing rows of shops on two floors (narrow little staircases here and there provide access). Apparently it's world famous (who knew). They've also got a Roman amphitheater (no one else was there, so I got it to myself -- I love when it drizzles and sends all the tourists indoors) and a few stretches of their old medieval walls (I briefly walked them on the way back to the station).Read more
TravelerThat looks such a neat village. What a great stopping off place
4/21/23Reply
Have been following trip photo s [Aunt Wendy & Unc]
4/21/23Reply
TravelerOh, good! Glad you were able to view them again!
4/22/23Reply
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Day 26
Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 11:53 AM
Altitude: 10 m
Wales Aberconwy Abbey (Conwy, Wales) 1199-1283 53.281667, -3.82833353°16’54” N 3°49’42” W
Conwy
April 22, 2023 in Wales
The rest of the town is also neat! The views of the quay are from the bridge next to the suspension one. The house featured is Plas Mawr, considered the best-preserved Elizabethan house in Britain. The white-timbered house with the stone base is the oldest non-castle related house in Conwy (from the 1400s). The red house really is the smallest house in Britain.Read more
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Day 26
Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 1:56 PM
Altitude: 18 m
Wales Conwy 53.283333, -3.8353°16’60” N 3°49’48” W
Conwy Walls hike
April 22, 2023 in Wales
Really cool and well-preserved medieval walls! Lots of gorgeous views as well.
TravelerGorgeous place to hike
4/22/23Reply
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Day 26
Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 2:57 PM
Altitude: 18 m
Wales Conwy Castle 53.28, -3.82553°16’48” N 3°49’30” W
Conwy Castle
April 22, 2023 in Wales
The castle is so evocative, it might be my favorite so far, and I got there early enough that there were very few other people. The estuary is picturesque, too, and the bridge pictured is actually the first of that type of suspension bridge ever built, as was the box-shaped railroad bridge. The views shown are all from the castle. The pic of me sitting is on the toilet in the king's chambers, meaning in all likelihood, Edward I sat there at one point, which is pretty neat.Read more
TravelerThat would be a fun castle to explore!
4/22/23Reply
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Day 27
Sunday, April 23, 2023 at 11:02 AM
🌧 46 °F
Altitude: 30 m
Wales Betws-y-Coed Railway Station 53.091667, -3.80333353°5’30” N 3°48’12” W
Betws-y-Coed + Coed Tan Dinas hike
April 23, 2023 in Wales ⋅ 🌧 46 °F
This was my Snowdonia base, one of two hiking areas I'd planned to tackle (and the only one I actually got to). Beautiful area, even if it is one of the more touristed spots in Snowdonia. The hike was partly along the river, so that was especially nice.Read more
TravelerOne beautiful hike
4/23/23Reply
Beautiful [Aunt Wendy and Unc]
4/24/23Reply
TravelerMy favorite so far.
4/25/23Reply
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Day 27
Sunday, April 23, 2023 at 1:13 PM
☁️ 48 °F
Altitude: 134 m
Wales Rhiwddolion 53.1, -3.87166753°6’0” N 3°52’18” W
Snowdonia scenic bus ride
April 23, 2023 in Wales ⋅ ☁️ 48 °F
I missed one bus, so I had to skip one hike, but the scenic drive made up for it quite a bit.
TravelerNice bus ride!
4/23/23Reply
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Day 27
Sunday, April 23, 2023 at 2:32 PM
☁️ 52 °F
Altitude: 10 m
Wales Caernarfon Castle 53.138333, -4.27553°8’18” N 4°16’30” W
Caernarfon Castle
April 23, 2023 in Wales ⋅ ☁️ 52 °F
Got another castle in! This one is larger than Conwy, but more touristy and is set up accordingly. Definitely worth going to, especially for all its neat history and expansiveness, but Cowny Castle is a more evocative ruin. Nice to be able to compare them, though. Each castle I've visited so far has had its own vibe, so that's been a lot of fun to be immersed in.Read more
TravelerVery nice. And love the door.
4/23/23Reply
Castles amazing how they could build such things in those days. [Unc]
4/23/23Reply
TravelerAbsolutely. Standing in the middle of these places and imagining them first being built is one of my favorite parts of visiting them.
4/24/23Reply
Quite impressive [Unc and Aunt Wendy]
4/25/23Reply
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Day 28
Monday, April 24, 2023 at 2:08 PM
🌬 46 °F
Altitude: Sea level
Wales Holyhead Bay 53.335, -4.6153°20’6” N 4°36’36” W
Holyhead and the Irish Sea
April 24, 2023 in Wales ⋅ 🌬 46 °F
Wandered around Holyhead while waiting for my ferry -- which as a "ferry" I expected to be fairly small, but it was a full-size cruise ship (first time for that). Obviously in-between ports out on the water, there wasn't much to look at, but I took a couple pics anyway.Read more
TravelerNice water there : )
4/24/23Reply
Quite the ferry [Unc]
4/25/23Reply
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Day 29
Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at 11:30 AM
☁️ 48 °F
Altitude: 98 m
Ireland Upper Ballycotteen 52.978333, -9.42666752°58’42” N 9°25’36” W
Cliffs of Moher
April 25, 2023 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 48 °F
I've seen quite a few scenic places on this trip, but this was easily one of the prettiest places I've ever been to 😍
TravelerNice!
4/25/23Reply
TravelerTotally agree this is great
4/26/23Reply
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Day 29
Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at 1:24 PM
☁️ 50 °F
Altitude: 13 m
Ireland Poulsallagh 53.061667, -9.36166753°3’42” N 9°21’42” W
The Burren
April 25, 2023 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 50 °F
Otherworldly landscape (was a seabed once upon a time) that was one of the inspirations for Middle Earth.
TravelerFascinating landscape
4/25/23Reply
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Day 29
Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at 4:14 PM
☁️ 54 °F
Altitude: 10 m
Ireland River Corrib 53.268333, -9.05166753°16’6” N 9°3’6” W
Galway
April 25, 2023 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 54 °F
Quirky town that was a lot of fun to walk through. Very artsy type place, with street musicians around every corner. Lots of tasty food!
TravelerLooks like a fun -- and popular -- place
4/25/23Reply
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Day 30
Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at 9:32 AM
☁️ 50 °F
Altitude: 34 m
Ireland Stephen's Green 53.341667, -6.25833353°20’30” N 6°15’30” W
Dublin
April 26, 2023 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 50 °F
Very cool vibe to Dublin that's unique to any of the places I've been thus far. It has an interesting mix of old and new as well, including the city's history itself. O'Connell Street, where I'm staying, was central to Ireland's long flight for independence. (The stone bridge you see is O'Connell Bridge; the white one is Ha'Penny Bridge.)Read more
TravelerLooks like another fun city to explore
4/26/23Reply
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Day 30
Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at 11:40 AM
☁️ 54 °F
Altitude: 17 m
Ireland Temple Bar 53.343333, -6.25666753°20’36” N 6°15’24” W
Trinity College
April 26, 2023 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 54 °F
Another neat campus, this one comes with the famous Long Room and the Book of Kells! I might have discreetly snuck a picture from the side of the book, although you weren't supposed to :P
TravelerBuildings are impressive
4/26/23Reply
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Day 30
Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at 12:50 PM
☁️ 54 °F
Altitude: 22 m
Ireland Saint Stephens Green Park 53.34, -6.25553°20’24” N 6°15’18” W
National Museum of Archaeology
April 26, 2023 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 54 °F
Okay, this should be the last big museum I'm doing -- but come on, I couldn't forego an archaeology museum. This one has several iconic items, and is especially renowned for its treasury, including the Brooch of Tara, the Ardagh Chalice, St. Patrick's bell and its reliquary shrine, and the Cross of Cong. Also pictured are one of the famous "big bodies" and an equally famous three-faced statue head of a mystery-deity from old Pagan Europe.Read more
TravelerKool stuff
4/26/23Reply
TravelerNot a bad museum to end on
4/26/23Reply
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Day 31
Thursday, April 27, 2023 at 10:52 AM
☁️ 52 °F
Altitude: 71 m
Ireland Lougher 53.701667, -6.49166753°42’6” N 6°29’30” W
Knowth
April 27, 2023 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 52 °F
The largest neolithic passage tomb in the world, and also the world's biggest collection of megalithic art. Really neat site! And they're a seasonal site that only allows small groups in for tours at any given time, so you're not rubbernecked in there. While it doesn't have the visual impact of Stonehenge, in some ways it's actually neater because you can actually go right up to touch and experience the structures. Plus, it's even older, and the views from the top of the mound (which you actually get to climb) are spectacular. Really enjoyed this one.Read more
TravelerHow fascinating is that?!
4/27/23Reply
Wow!! [Aunt Wendy]
4/29/23Reply
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Day 31
Thursday, April 27, 2023 at 12:19 PM
☁️ 54 °F
Altitude: 62 m
Ireland Newgrange Falconry 53.695, -6.47553°41’42” N 6°28’30” W
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Newgrange
April 27, 2023 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 54 °F
Knowth's more famous sister-site. This was also very, very cool. This is the one where at sunrise on the Winter Solstice, light floods the inner passage. I did get to go inside it, which was fantastic, but sadly you can't take pictures inside the tomb. But I did add some bonus pictures here from the Bru na Boinne (which encompasses both passage tombs, plus several other sites) visitor center, which was set among beautiful walks across and around the Boyne River :)Read more
How do they do those stones? [Unc]
4/27/23Reply
TravelerThey definitely had to put a lot of time and effort into shaping them, considering it was all done without metal tools, so it makes it that much more fascinating.
4/28/23Reply
Your pictures look like the History channel, and you are there in person. So wonderful [Aunt Wendy]
4/29/23Reply
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Day 31
Thursday, April 27, 2023 at 2:16 PM
☁️ 55 °F
Altitude: 24 m
Ireland Mattock River 53.723333, -6.42333353°43’24” N 6°25’24” W
Boyne Valley
April 27, 2023 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 55 °F
Site of the largest battle ever to take place on Irish soil, back in 1690. The cafe at the estate house there also had some pretty gardens.
TravelerSuch a pretty place, especially considering its history
4/27/23Reply
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Day 31
Thursday, April 27, 2023 at 2:50 PM
☁️ 55 °F
Altitude: 109 m
Ireland Newtown Monasterboice 53.776667, -6.41666753°46’36” N 6°25’0” W
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Monasterboice
April 27, 2023 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 55 °F
10th century monastery ruins with a graveyard still in use. Also the site of a mass grave pit from the Great Famine. The huge Celtic crosses pictured are also from the 900s. The tower is one of the Round Towers occasionally found in Europe (the ones that were designed as a final refuge during sieges). They're actually quite rare, especially in decent condition, so that was cool.Read more
TravelerWhat an interesting cemetery for wandering through
4/27/23Reply
Cemeteries are always interesting [Unc]
4/27/23Reply
Wow! Would love to see that old cemetery. Love the pictures. Aunt Wendy [Aunt Wendy]
4/27/23Reply
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Day 32
Friday, April 28, 2023 at 1:35 PM
☁️ 61 °F
Altitude: 21 m
Ireland Deenagh River 52.055, -9.52666752°3’18” N 9°31’36” W
1
Killarney and Ross Castle hike
April 28, 2023 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F
Started off in Killarney itself, then took the scenic route through Killarney National Park. Obviously not as spectacular as some I've done, like Snowdonia or the Lake District for instance, but still a very pleasant little hike, with a bonus castle at the end.Read more
TravelerNot a bad hike at all
4/28/23Reply
Traveler Quite the hike for scenery. You are doing a lot of fun stuff
4/28/23Reply
TravelerFinally figured out penguins
4/28/23Reply
TravelerGood!!
4/29/23Reply
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Day 33
Saturday, April 29, 2023 at 11:49 AM
☁️ 57 °F
Altitude: 34 m
Ireland Red Cliff 52.14, -10.0252°8’24” N 10°1’12” W
Inch Beach and Dingle Peninsula
April 29, 2023 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 57 °F
So much gorgeous scenery on the way to the Slea Head Loop drive!! 😍
TravelerGlad to see you 🙂
4/29/23Reply
TravelerYeah, I actually got a decent few with me in there this time 😀
4/29/23Reply
TravelerGorgeous scenery, for sure
4/29/23Reply
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Day 33
Saturday, April 29, 2023 at 12:53 PM
☁️ 54 °F
Altitude: 67 m
Ireland Beenacouma 52.1, -10.43833352°6’0” N 10°26’18” W
Slea Head Loop part 1
April 29, 2023 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 54 °F
Parts of this reminded me a lot of Big Sur. I can definitely see why this is a famous drive, plus it's a little less busy and touristed than the Ring of Kerry, despite being similar in a lot of ways. Had to break it up into two. And I got to hold a lamb!!! The ruined stone structures are among the famous beehive huts.Read more
TravelerOkay, I want to hold a lamb now
4/29/23Reply
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Day 33
Saturday, April 29, 2023 at 1:37 PM
☁️ 54 °F
Altitude: Sea level
Ireland Dunquin 52.125, -10.46166752°7’30” N 10°27’42” W
Slea Head Loop part 2
April 29, 2023 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 54 °F
Here's the rest! Some of the islands pictured are the famous Baskets, and one in this set was a filming location for Star Wars.
TravelerClearly Ireland is one beautiful country
4/29/23Reply
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Day 33
Saturday, April 29, 2023 at 3:33 PM
☁️ 55 °F
Altitude: 12 m
Ireland Dingle 52.14, -10.27333352°8’24” N 10°16’24” W
Dingle
April 29, 2023 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 55 °F
Town itself and some of the drive back to Killarney, including the Lakes of Killarney.
TravelerGetting close to coming home
4/29/23Reply
TravelerEnjoy yourself
4/29/23Reply
TravelerCute, colorful little town
4/29/23Reply
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