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Europe 2018
  • Michelle Creasy
Sep – Okt 2018

Europe 2018

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  • Michelle CreasyEurope 2018Michelle Creasy
    Meeting of the waters
    Muckross LakeKenmare BayKissane Sheep FarmSally the border collie at workLassie rounding up the sheepSheep shearingMuckross LakeMeeting of the watersMeeting of the waters

    The other half of the Ring of Kerry

    29 September 2018, Irlandia ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    Today I started the Ring of Kerry clockwise. The road took me through the Killarney National Park which is just gorgeous especially the lakes.
    At Molls Gap I took the minor route down to Sneem and then joined the official ring of Kerry again.

    I came across Kissane Sheep Farm. I got there just in time to join a tour, unfortunately it was with a bus load of Germans and the guide was speaking German. It didn’t stop me from enjoying the sheepdog demonstration. It was traditional hill farming. The dogs were border collies and the sheep black faced Scottish mountain sheep. That much I could understand. It was a great demonstration of the dog’s skills.
    After this was a shearing demonstration. That was okay but once he’d finished the guide then spoke for another half an hour and I couldn’t leave the group without appearing rude.
    As I was looking in the shop another tour group appeared and this time they were Americans so I went back up to the sheep dog demonstration. It was much better with the commentary. The farm has 2000 sheep on 2500 acres, much of it mountains. A lot of it isn’t really accessible by vehicle so they still use dogs and their trainers on foot to bring the sheep in.
    I again watched the shearing demonstration learning that the wool is a coarse wool and used for making carpets. All the processing is done in Leeds and Bradford in the UK.

    From there I headed back to Killarney. I stopped off at the meeting of the waters, where the three lakes in the National Park meet. It was very tranquil.

    I decided I wanted something with some spice for tea so stopped at a Tapas bar. The prawns in chilli oil were very bland but the other two dishes I had were very good.    Baca selengkapnya

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  • Michelle CreasyEurope 2018Michelle Creasy
    Conor Pass
    Inch StrandInch StrandConor PassConor PassTorbetCar ferry between Torbet and KillimerCounty ClareLahinch1Finally saw a hound!

    To Gort

    30 September 2018, Irlandia ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    According to google maps it should take just over 2 hours to travel from Killarney to Gort but there’s no fun in taking the direct route. I headed first to Dingle, finding a lovely beach at Inch Strand - very sandy and golden. Despite the cold cloudy day there were quite a few surfers out.
    I then took the Conor Pass over to Castlegregory. Like all of the mountain passes I have taken the scenery was beautiful. The road was quite narrow in places and I had to back up quite a bit in one spot.
    Up to Talbert and then I took the car ferry crossing from County Kerry into County Clare. I went up the coast to Lahinch and then across to Gort which is where I’m staying tonight. Basically I couldn’t decide between Ennis and Galway and Gort is halfway between. The hotel I’m in seems to be a hotel for business travellers as tonight is cheaper than the next two nights.    Baca selengkapnya

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  • Michelle CreasyEurope 2018Michelle Creasy
    Cliffs of Moher
    Horse and trapFenced pasture on Inis OirrLimestone that hasn't been cleared.Sunken church on Inis OirrInis OirrInis OirrCliffs of MoherCliffs of MoherCliffs of Moher

    Inis Oirr and the Cliffs of Moher

    1 Oktober 2018, Irlandia ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Last night I thought it would be good to take a trip to one of the Aran Islands. I didn’t consult the weather forecast and booked a trip to the smallest island Inis Oirr and then to see the Cliffs of Moher.
    I wasn’t so keen when I got to Doolin Pier. It was very cold and cloudy and looked a bit choppy.
    We all sat up the top in the open and it was very cold.

    It was a 30 min trip to Inis Oirr which is the closest island to Doolin. We all got off and some got on another boat to go to one of the other islands and the rest of us stayed on Inis Oirr.
    To get around the island we had the choice of walking, bikes, horse and cart or private car. I chose the horse and cart.

    There have been people on the islands for centuries. The island is mainly limestone which has need dig up, made into walls and the soil improved with seaweed. The pony and trap took us up to the Flossy shipwreck and back around through the narrow roads to the main settlement.
    We were on the island for about 3 hours. The return trip went via the Cliffs of Moher. It was a lot rougher on the way back and I spent a lot of the trip with my eyes fixed firmly on the horizon. Once we reached the Cliffs it was a bit hard to see as everyone stood up and jostled for the best position to take photos.

    After we got back to Doolin I headed to see the Cliffs from the top. They were good but I’m sure they’d be magnificent in sunlight. It was still cloudy and the rain came in. Just drizzle but it did affect visibility.

    Last night I ate tea in the hotel restaurant and it was ordinary at best so I had to look for somewhere different tonight. I stopped at a pub in Lisdoonvarna. It was dark by the time I finished. It was a 45km trip that was meant to take 45 mins through narrow lanes and roads. The speed limit was generally 80 km/hr but I stuck to about 30 km/hr due to the roads and darkness. It took well over an hour to get back but I saw a rabbit, multiple frogs, a hare (I think) and two badgers. The badgers made the slow trip worth it.    Baca selengkapnya

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  • Michelle CreasyEurope 2018Michelle Creasy
    The Burren
    Kilmacduagh Round TowerKilmacduagh churchThe Burren PerfumeryThe BurrenThe BurrenThe BurrenThe BurrenAutumn

    The Burren

    2 Oktober 2018, Irlandia ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Today was my first real wet day in Ireland. I set out to take a closer look at The Burren. The Burren is a geological area in the area that I am staying. It’s mainly limestone hits more complex than that).
    I started out with a visit to the Kilmacduagh Monastery. I’d seen the ruins from the road yesterday on my way to Doolin but didn’t have time to go and take a look. It was mainly the round tower that intrigued me. Apparently they aren’t uncommon in Ireland and this one is the tallest surviving tower and has quite a lean on it.

    I visited the Burren Perfumery. They make everything on the premises and it was all reasonably priced. They showed a video of the The Burren and it would be beautiful to visit in the summer.

    Autumn is definitely becoming evident. The leaves are changing colour, the photos don’t do it justice.    Baca selengkapnya

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  • Michelle CreasyEurope 2018Michelle Creasy
    Lettermore island
    Spanish arch, GlawayGalway DocksGalway docksTraditional Claddagh cottageNear ClifdenCarraroeCut peatCut peatLettermore

    Galway and a scenic drive

    3 Oktober 2018, Irlandia ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    My original plan had me heading to Sligo today but I wanted to see more of the area so I’m spending two nights in Clifden, in the Connemara region.
    I hadn’t seen Galway so that was my first stop today. I went to the Galway city museum looking to find out about the history of Galway but there was a bigger focus on the war of independence. It was still worth a look though.
    Coming through Claddagh I found a little cottage as they all would have been before they were destroyed in the 1930s to try and eradicate the TB that was going through the area.

    I then followed the Atlantic Way west to the island of Lettermore for no other other reason than it seemed like a nice drive and I wanted to see the islands that were connected by causeways.
    They are beautiful, lots of yellow seaweed adding to the autumn colour. As I got closer to the islands the road signs began appearing in Irish only (usually they are both English and Irish). Fortunately I had my GPS so I wasn’t relying on road signs. Again some of the roads were very narrow and windy but I’m getting used to that now. It’s a choice to take the narrow, minor roads. This morning I took an M road (like a freeway/highway) from Gort to Galway and it only took 40 mins to travel to the 40km. Compare that to Monday where it took just over an hour to travel a similar distance. The minor roads are much more interesting though which plenty of places to stop and look at attractions or take photos.

    I think I saw cut peat on the way to Clifden. It was dark rectangular shaped logs on the side of the road with similar shaped holes cut in the ground across the road. After googling I’m pretty sure that’s what it was. This area does feel the most remote so far but I was surprised to see the cut peat.    Baca selengkapnya

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  • Michelle CreasyEurope 2018Michelle Creasy
    Kylemore Abbey
    Walled garden, Kylemore AbbeyWalled garden, Kylemore AbbeyWalled garden, Kylemore AbbeyWalled Garden, Kylemore AbbeyWalled Garden, Kylemore AbbeyConnemara loopConnemara LoopConnemara Loop2Sheep on the road, Connemara loop

    Connemara Loop

    4 Oktober 2018, Irlandia ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    Last night I wrote the blog sitting in a pub while I had dinner and then listed to a great duo who were playing in the pub. One played the guitar, the other what looked like a tea chest. They were very good. On finding out I was Australian they played “The Pub With No Beer”. They then played “Now I’m Easy”by Eric Bogle which was new to me. Eventually I had to leave to go to bed.
    I’m now sitting in the lounge of the hotel listening to a guy on a piano. I’ve just gotten back after dinner and he was playing so I’ve sat down to listen while I write this.

    I started today off with the Sky rd which is a scenic loop from Clifden. I then went down to the Connemara loop. The first stop was Kylemore Abbey and I’m still not sure how I managed to spend four hours there. It was originally built as a house/castle in the 1860s and after changing hands a couple of times was bought by the Benedictine Nuns in 1920. There was originally a wonderful walled garden which gradually became neglected until the mid 1990s when it was decided to restore it. I spoke to one of the gardeners who has been there since they started the restoration and he said it took them two years to just clear garden before they could even begin to plan and plant.
    The garden is now beautiful. It’s set out in the original Victorian plan.

    The house/Abbey itself is also gorgeous. Only a few rooms are open to the public but it was definitely worth it.

    The rest of the grounds are gorgeous. I met a couple from Brisbane. When I meet Australians I tend to think “they don’t have an accent” rather than they are Australian. I have a terrible ear for accents. It’s the first time I’ve heard an Australian refer to Australia as Aussie. She asked me “are you from Aussie”. It was weird. So often the people I meet are surprised I’m travelling on my own and not even part of a tour. She appreciated it though as she wanted to go and see the garden but he didn’t. As a solo traveller I can do what I want when I want.

    As I said yesterday the autumn colours are really coming out. I think I’ve run out of good weather. It again was cloudy and drizzly. The clouds covered the top of the mountains. After I finished at the Abbey I finished the loop. Sometimes I wasn’t sure whether it was the ocean or lakes that I was seeing but it was all lovely. It reminds me of the highlands in Scotland.    Baca selengkapnya

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  • Michelle CreasyEurope 2018Michelle Creasy
    Donegal
    Peat bog, ConnemaraPeat bog, ConnemaraTurlough Park House at the Country Life MuseumTraditional house at the Country Life MuseumGarden at Country Life MuseumDonegalDetour as advised by GPS, DonegalBenbulbin Mountain, SligoView from my hotel

    Travel to Annagry

    5 Oktober 2018, Irlandia ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    Today was a travel day and it took much longer than the 4 hours suggested by the GPS. It was closer to 8 hours. I’m not quite sure I’ve got the settings on the GPS correct as even from Clifden to Westport which should have been fairly straightforward along the one road but I was constantly turning off and on the various roads. Then as I got close to Annagry it took me on this really narrow road halfway up a hill just to rejoin the original road I turned off from.
    I did stop at the Museum of Country Life in Turlough which while small was interesting. It was a good reminder that a lot of the traditions were necessitated through poverty and not nearly as romantic as they may seem. They also had a small exhibition on Irish Travellers. It’s the first reference I’ve seen of Travellers since I’ve been here.

    The rest of the trip was pretty much just driving up. It’s a very pretty area and I’m looking forward to exploring it tomorrow.    Baca selengkapnya

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  • Michelle CreasyEurope 2018Michelle Creasy
    Glenveagh Castle
    Cootamundra Wattle and some oyster beds at low tideRoad signs in GaelicCruit IslandGlenveagh National ParkGlenveagh national parkNo idea what this is but it's gorgeousPath in castle gardensGlenveagh castle view1Gardens at Glenveagh castle

    Glenveagh National Park

    6 Oktober 2018, Irlandia ⋅ 🌙 4 °C

    Today started with a trip to Cruit Island, as recommended to me. On the way I stopped off at a boat ramp for a look. There was a bloke there, who on hearing my accent showed me his boat. It is called the Cootamundra Wattle. He said that he used to hear the song on the radio every day on his way to work and finally looked up what it was. He did ask me if I was related to the Boyds as seven sons had gone to New Zealand years ago. One had never been more than three miles from home and then he went all the way to Christchurch.

    Cruit Island was beautiful. It is connected to the mainland via a bridge so easy to get to. There were a lot of reeds along the road and after seeing a video at the museum yesterday I could see it being harvested to use for weaving. I went out to the golf course (mainly because that’s all my GPS would recognise when I was looking for directions) and it is on the western edge of the island looking out onto the Atlantic Ocean. The sun was shining and the ocean was such a deep blue. The photos just don’t capture it well enough.

    From there I went down to Burtonport planning to catch the car ferry to Arranmore. Unfortunately I hadn’t booked and they didn’t have anymore availability for cars today. I booked for tomorrow and headed out to the Glenveagh National Park. Like a lot of National Parks over here it is different to our National Parks. There were houses/farms in it. At one point a had to drive through a small flock of sheep. I also saw donkeys!

    I always ask the GPS for two routes and I chose the long route which I think took me around the outside on the east side. I finally got there though and it was worth it. There is a castle there - Glenveagh Castle and the gardens are gorgeous. There is a walled garden with fruit trees and vegetables and then acreage with plants from around the world. I even found a gum tree! The trees all out in their autumn splendour.
    To get from the car park to the castle I took a shuttle bus. I got the same driver both there and back and I’m pretty sure he was speaking Gaelic to his mate who came back with him. Obviously it could be any number of languages that I’m not familiar with but I like to think that as I’m in an Gaelic speaking area it was Gaelic. We also saw a couple of deer on the way back to the car park.

    I spent quite a while there so headed back to my hotel when I was done. I’m writing this in the bar. I ate here last night and tonight - it’s much easier when I don’t have to go and find somewhere to eat. They have some good seafood here. Last night I had crab claws and kippers, tonight smoked salmon and scampi. Turns out I didn’t realise kippers were smoked herring. It was very rich and I think it will be be a long time until I try it again.
    There is apparently live music her tonight but it doesn’t start until 9:30. Hopefully I can stay awake that long!    Baca selengkapnya

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  • Michelle CreasyEurope 2018Michelle Creasy
    Beach at Inishfree Island
    On the way to BurtonportArranmore ferryArranmoreArranmore IslamdLeabgarrow on ArranmoreBoat on ArranmoreArranmore west coastArranmore Islamd - its twinned with Beaver island in the USOut by the lighthouse

    The Wild Atlantic Way

    7 Oktober 2018, Irlandia ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    Today’s weather wasn’t great to say the least. If you are interested take a look at the radar or satellite for Ireland at the moment and you’ll see what I mean. It was with some misgivings that I decided to stick to my original plan and go to Arranmore.
    From east of Kerry to near Londonderry the road along the coast is known and signposted as The Wild Atlantic Way. If I’d had the time if would have been wonderful to drive all 2500km of it. Up until today I’ve taken the wild to mean the wild beauty of the lamdscape. Today though I got to experience the wild weather.

    Unlike other ferries that I’ve taken this one wasn’t a “roll on roll off” in which you drive on one end and drive off the other. This one you backed onto it and drove off. The tide was low and it was quite steep reversing down the ramp. I obviously didn’t look to confident as one of the ferry guys came and offered to reverse the car for me. I gladly accepted his offer.

    The crossing itself was okay. The route is relatively sheltered as it finds it’s way through some small islands before arriving on the east side of Arranmore.
    I set off to drive to the lighthouse but took a wrong turn and ended up on some really narrow roads where a lot of the bitumen had washed away in parts. I found my way back to Leabgarrow which is where the ferry came in. There weren’t a lot of options for lunch as nothing looked open but I found a pub that did ham and cheese toasted sandwiches (and that’s all they did) but it was fine for lunch.
    After lunch I set out again to find the lighthouse. It’s on the northwestern tip of the island and the weather there was quite ferocious. The rain was coming in horizontally and quite hard. I didn’t take a lot of photos as I didn’t want to get out of the car and even winding the window down sent in stinging rain. I could barely see the ocean through the rain. I’m sure it would be amazing on a fine day. I tried to take the ring road around the island but the weather got worse and so did the road so I went back to Leabgarrow. I was concerned that the ferry might be cancelled but on the other side of the island the wind was much calmer.

    As I turned the car around to reverse in the same guy as before came up to the car and I was again very happy to let him put the car on the ferry. I’m sure I could have done it but I’m equally sure he was a lot quicker than I would have been.

    Once back on the mainland I headed for Inishfree island (which isn’t an island) just for a look. Again the weather was quite wild.

    I finished up with a stop at a service station laundromat to do a wash before coming back to the hotel.    Baca selengkapnya

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  • Michelle CreasyEurope 2018Michelle Creasy
    Malin Head
    Glenveagh National Park1On the way to Malin HeadMalin HeadMalin HeadMalin HeadMalin HeadMalin HeadMalin HeadIt was windy at Malin Head

    Ireland's North

    8 Oktober 2018, Irlandia ⋅ 🌬 14 °C

    Today’s goal was to visit the Giant’s Causeway. I got a bit sidetracked and didn’t make it up here in time. I set the GPS for Ballycastle which is where I’m staying and I should have been here about 1:30pm. The drive east took me back through the National Park and while the weather wasn’t as good as Saturday it was still a lovely drive.

    I got to Letterkenny and saw signs for Malin Head. Googling showed it was the most northerly point on the island of Ireland so I decided I needed to visit. It was a nice drive up there but oh so windy when I got there. On a fine day you can see the Scottish isles but I couldn’t see very far today at all. Fortunately it wasn’t raining while I was at Malin Head.

    I’m not really sure when I crossed into Northern Ireland. Somewhere around Muff I stopped at a service station and noticed the price was advertised in Euros and also pounds for cash. Shortly after that the GPS started giving me weird speed limits - 97km/hr, 48km/hr and I realised I must be in Northern Ireland. I didn’t see a sign at all.
    The other telltale sign was the increase in roundabouts. I took the A2 from Derry to Bushmills and there seemed to be roundabouts every couple of kilometres.

    I’m just here for the night, I see now that I could have spent 3 nights here but I’m still glad i spent those couple of nights in the Connemara area.    Baca selengkapnya

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  • Michelle CreasyEurope 2018Michelle Creasy
    Giant's Causeway
    Giant's CausewayGiant's CausewayGiant's CausewayGiant's CausewayGiant's causewayGiant's CausewayRound towerGlenariff Forrest Park

    Giant's Causeway

    9 Oktober 2018, Irlandia Utara ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Today started out cloudy but with no rain and it stayed that way for most of the day. I imagined I could see the Scottish coast but I really don’t think I could see that far in this weather.
    I started out at the Giant’s Causeway and I had expected it to be a lot bigger somehow. I did enjoy listening to the stories on the audio guide. I’m glad I had headphones as most of the other people with audio guides seem to be struggling to hear them. I keep the cheap headphones from the hop on hop off buses for this very purpose.
    The stones in the Causeway are fascinating. Many different types in such a small area.

    Yesterday the car notified me that one of the tyres had low pressure. I put air in it and we were fine until the evening when it happened again. It happened again on the way to the Giant’s Causeway and so once I was done I found a service station, put air in the tire and rang the car hire company. I was informed that I was liable for the tyre and the cheapest option would probably be to have it repaired myself. Fortunately the service station I was at had a tyre repairer attached so I soon had it sorted out. Fortunately the tyre was able to be repaired. I’m not sure what it was - probably a small piece of glass or metal as it was no longer there. At £16.50 I think I got off quite lightly.

    I then wound my way down between the Glens of Antrim and the coast road to Belfast. The Glens were very pretty. Forrests mainly. I stopped at Glenariff Forrest Park and went for a short walk.

    I’m in Belfast for the next three nights.    Baca selengkapnya

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  • Michelle CreasyEurope 2018Michelle Creasy
    Titanic Museum
    Sculpture known as the Balls on the FallsNationalist muralPeace lineUnionist MuralOriginal Harland and Wolff gates from the shipbuilder yardsGardens surrounding Parliament HoiseStormont Parliament houseBeacon of Hope sculptureEuropa Hotel

    Touring Belfast

    10 Oktober 2018, Irlandia Utara ⋅ 🌙 16 °C

    Finally the rain has gone. It was a beautiful day today, cool but not cold and nice and warm in the sun.
    I started out with the hop on hop off bus tour. I sat up the top on the left, as I usually do and found myself ducking whenever we went under trees.

    I hadn’t realised that the city was still so divided. I was vaguely aware of the political situation when I was younger but did not really know much about it. The bus took us through both Protestant/Unionist and Catholic/Nationalist areas as well as along the peace wall which divides neighbourhoods. There is still signs of the conflict. The most sobering being the houses/flats with mesh covering the windows.
    In the Catholic areas street signs are in English and Gaelic, in the Protestant areas they are in English only. The union flag and Irish flag fly in their respective areas and there are so many murals and memorials.

    I got off the bus at the Titanic museum. The museum is great and very well done. It gives a history of industry and shipbuilding in Belfast and then then the building of the Titanic right through to the aftermath of the sinking. I spent quite a lot of time there looking at all the exhibits.

    I also met up with another Pokémon playing internet friend. It was nice to trade Pokémon but it was even better just to talk to her, get her experience of living in Northern Ireland and hear her perspective on various topics. We chatted for quite a while before I went off and finished the museum.

    I got back on the bus and the next part of the tour took us up the Parliament House. All vehicles are searched as they enter the gates although this was quite perfunctory. The guard took a look on the back seat and didn’t bother going upstairs. On the way back we again went through separated parts of the city.

    I got off opposite the Europa Hotel. It’s the most bombed hotel in Europe, having been bombed over 30 times. It’s around the corner and up the street from where I am staying.    Baca selengkapnya

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  • Michelle CreasyEurope 2018Michelle Creasy
    Nationalist mural
    Writing on the peace wallPeace wallUnionist muralPlastic and rubber bulletsClondard MonestaryKevin the taxi driverCity HallDippy the dinosaurDragon at the Ulster Museum

    Politics and a dinsoaur

    11 Oktober 2018, Irlandia Utara ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    Today was mostly about politics and the conflict in Northern Ireland. I started out with a black taxi tour. It was educational, interesting, eye opening and sobering. My driver Kevin was 9 when the Troubles started and he’s lived in Belfast all his life.
    His insight was interesting and I saw much more than I did yesterday on the hop on hop off bus. He took me to the IRA museum. That was sobering, especially to think that this happened during my lifetime.
    One thing that did make me laugh was one of the rules at the Armagh Women’s prison.
    “Letters may not be smuggled in or out of the prison unless permission has been given beforehand”
    I saw rubber and plastic bullets that were used, they are huge. I had just assumed they were normal bullet sized.
    Part of the peace wall is covered in messages and graffiti. Bill Clinton was the first to write on the wall. I also wrote a message.

    At the end of the tour Kevin dropped me off at the City Hall. They have a comprehensive exhibition on the history of Belfast. Again it was interesting.

    From there I went to the Ulster Museum. They have “Dippy”the diplodocus carnegii dinosaur on display at the moment. He used to be in the foyer of the natural history museum so while I missed him in London I saw him here. To be honest I’m not that excited by dinosaurs but the rest of the exhibition that looked at the various differences in animal species in Ireland and the UK.
    They also had a special exhibition on the events of 1968.

    From the museum I caught the hop on hop off bus again. I wanted to hear what they had to say again. This time the tour guide was an older guy compared to the younger woman yesterday. They seemed to have quite different perspectives. He was not that optimistic about the removal of the peace walls. The guide yesterday tended to view it more as history, which to her it probably was.
    The bus was the last one of the day so I finished up in the city. I took a walk to find Vistoria Square, a shopping centre with a dome on top that gives views of the city.
    From there I got some dinner and headed back to the hotel. My phone battery was very low so I tried to find my way back using the street signs but was having no luck. Fortunately my battery lasted until I got back here.    Baca selengkapnya

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  • Michelle CreasyEurope 2018Michelle Creasy
    Road in mountains near Belfast
    Sandy Row MuralNew Barnsley Police StationView from mountain on Divis rdLocation of the Battle of the Diamomd -led to the formation of the Orange Order. ArmaghAppe Orchard, LoughallArmagh Franciscan FriaryFranciscian Friary parkGosford Forest ParkGosford Forest Park

    Autumn Roads

    12 Oktober 2018, Irlandia Utara ⋅ 🌙 12 °C

    I left Belfast today to head back to Southern Ireland. That’s what those in Belfast were calling the Republic of Ireland. I was able to pick out some of the Belfast sayings. One of the displays at City Hall yesterday was on language and how the language and accent of Belfast has devolved from the English and Scots who were planted there as well at Gaelic. I somehow managed to chose Ulster Scots as the language on the audio guide and I couldn’t switch it back to English. I did try to listen for a while but had to give up. Apparently if you leave the audio unit off for a while it jumps to Ulster Scots. They had to give me another one.

    Anyway I digress. It was a lovely day to start, surprising as Storm Callum was meant to hit Belfast in the early hours of the morning but I woke to a cloudless sky. By the time I left the hotel it had clouded over. I realised that across the road was a unionist section of the city - Sandy Row. A mural there was of King William/Billy. It replaced a more militant mural saying “You are now entering Loyalist Sandy Row Heartland of South Belfast Freedom Fighters”and had a painting of a masked gunman. The replacement is much more mild.

    Yesterday the tour guide had said that the mountains surrounding Belfast were wonderful and gave a great view of the city. I set out for Black Mountain. The GPS wouldn’t recognise it so I put in Black Mountain primary school. I ended up in suburbia opposite a heavily fortified police station.
    Divis gave a better result but when I got there I couldn’t see the city.

    I made my way south along Lough Neath towards Armagh. The main reason for visiting Armagh was that my Creasy ancestors settled in Armagh in South Australia. That’s probably where the similarities end. I did find a lovely park with Priory ruins.

    This time I new the exact moment I crossed the border, mainly as there was a grey line on the GPS. Before I crossed that line I saw signs for Customs and Excise and also money exchange. There was no signs saying you are now leaving NI or entering Ireland and I was on a major road. Just a sign welcoming me to County Louth. A lot of the talk in Belfast on the news is how Brexit will effect the Northern Ireland/Ireland Border as there are so many crossing and some woman near Londonderry has her house in one country and her veggie patch in the other. No one seems to have come up with a solution yet.

    As I headed further south it got wetter and wetter. The scenery is still stunning though with all the autumn colours. One area I came across was full of apple orchards, it’s obviously picking time.

    I’m in Navan tonight so I can explore the ancient sites in the area tomorrow. Tomorrow’s my last day, I fly out on Sunday.    Baca selengkapnya

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  • Michelle CreasyEurope 2018Michelle Creasy
    Market cross in Kells
    Round tower at KellsSpire of LloydCeltic cross at the Spire of LloydSlane CastleThe Stone of DestinySt PatrickHill of TaraHill of TaraCows waitimg to cross the road

    Ireland's Ancient East

    14 Oktober 2018, Irlandia ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C

    Today didn’t turn out quite as I’d planned. I had a list of ancient and medieval sites to visit. While I visited most of them I didn’t get to see much. I went to Loughcrew to see ancient burial sites but they were closed due to surveys being done.
    I came across The Spire of Lloyd (not on my list) which is a folly in the shape of a lighthouse. It was at the site of a famine mass grave. No markers or records. Quite sobering.
    It was raining quite steadily by now so I was looking forward to Slane Castle and distillery as I would be indoors. As I drove up to the castle I saw a lot of vintage cars out the front and was hoping it wasn’t closed for a wedding. I’m not sure whether it was a wedding but the castle was closed for a private function. Not to worry, I’ll just go to the distillery. Unfortunately that too was closed for a private function.

    After a late lunch in a gorgeous hotel in Slane I headed for the Hill of Tara, an ancient burial site. The visitor centre was closed. I was still able to walk over the site although I spent more time looking at the ground dodging the sheep manure than looking at the surroundings.

    I was quite wet by then and it was getting late so I headed for the airport. Ive handed in my car with no issues. I’ve driven nearly 3500km in 20 days although I didn’t drive at all in Belfast. I’m staying in a hotel at the airport and will have plenty of time in the morning before I have to be at the terminal.    Baca selengkapnya

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  • Michelle CreasyEurope 2018Michelle Creasy
    Zurich, St Moritz and Zermatt
    WengenParis and LondonWaterfordKillarneyGortClifdenAnnagryBallycastleDublin airport, Belfast, Navan

    Farewell Europe

    14 Oktober 2018, Irlandia ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    So I’m sitting at Dublin airport feeling a little bemused. There is no customs/border control. Ireland didn’t seem interested that I entered the country nor do they care I am leaving. Unless something is done behind the scenes with passenger manifests then how would they know whether I’m here legally or not.
    I also managed to stuff up at security. Not only did I still have water in my water bottle but i had put the food items I’d bought in my backpack for easy reach when I get to customs in Perth (assuming we still go through customs). I’d bought a bottle of Guinness steak sauce for Caleb as a thank you for house and dog sitting but it’s counted as a liquid so sorry Caleb, no sauce for you!

    My trip has been fantastic but (flight aside) I’ll be glad to come home. It’s a beautiful if cold day in Dublin, unfortunately I’m looking at it through the window. At least the weather should be good for the flight.

    As there is still so much of Europe I want to see I don’t think I’ll be back in Switzerland or Ireland to stay again. If I was I’d love to go and stay in St Moritz for longer (only possible if I win lotto!) and back to Galway and Donegal in Ireland.

    Would I do anything differently? Apart from not walking up and down all those steps in Rapperswil I think staying three night in St Moritz and Zermatt would have enabled me to see more.
    I was really lucky with the weather really, especially in Switzerland.
    I had a simple wishlist for Switzerland - see/touch snow, eat fondue. Those I did. I’m pretty sure I saw a marmot coming down a mountain in St Moritz so that was an added bonus.
    Wengen was everything I had hoped it would be and the cow parade was another bonus.

    The travel system in Switzerland is great. By using the app I didn’t need to but a travel card and could both look up the schedule and then buy my ticket on the same app. Having the half fare card was definitely worth it.

    I don’t think I made as much as I could have of my time in London. That was partly due to my leg injury (which I’m hoping has healed, it hasn’t given me any trouble since Donegal although I’m still avoiding stairs). I still haven’t made it to the Victoria and Albert Museum but there is always next time.

    Ireland has been fantastic. It has confirmed that travelling on a group tour isn’t for me. Wherever you go there is always a crowd. I’m glad I spent the extra time in the Connemara area, it is truly beautiful. Going to the Gaeltacht areas was a fortunate choice. They were also quieter with less people and tourists.

    It’s been interesting travelling throughout the different countries. Throughout Switzerland the bathroom always had a handheld shower, sometimes just a shower, other times a over a bath. Each time I got to a new place I’d have to work out how to turn the shower on as usually the same tap operated the bath and shower.
    In Ireland (and NI) the shower was always fixed and over a bath. There was always a good grab handle on the wall in the bath though. Switzerland was missing those.

    Each new place I stayed I took a photo of the view from my window (except Dublin apparently, obviously I was too tired after a long day).    Baca selengkapnya

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    Akhir trip
    14 Oktober 2018
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