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Europe Trip 2024
  • Karen Long
  • Karen Long

Europe Trip 2024

An 8 week driving, sailing, touring trip to France, the Greek Islands, Ireland, Scotland and London. Read more
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  • Karen LongEurope Trip 2024Traveler

    Mykonos take 2

    May 12, 2024 in Greece ⋅ 🌬 20 °C

    After being back on the boat for a few hours we decided it was a shame not to see more of Mykonos since the boat wasn’t leaving until 11 pm so at about 5 we thought we’d just go over for a drink before dinner. Ran into Marl in the hallway and she said she’d come with us. Millie is still not feeling too good and was tucked up in bed.

    We’d seen a nice little bar not far from where the bus dropped you off and it seemed to be sheltered from the wind too. We expected it to be really cold but actually it was lovely and warm sitting in the afternoon sun. Oh course one drink turned into two and then we decided to stay for dinner.

    We had a seafood platter between the three of us and it was all delicious. The cocktails and the ozoo was pretty good too.

    Chris and Tanya walked past on their way home and they joined us for a nightcap. Watching the sun go down over the boats was so pretty. Definitely one of the special moments of this trip.    Read more

  • Karen LongEurope Trip 2024Traveler

    Chania. Crete

    May 13, 2024 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Chania Port in Crete is another part of the world that has escaped my notice until recently. The cruise wasn’t actually supposed to stop here but because so many cruises were coming into Mykonos they decided to ditch one day there and stop instead at Chania Port.

    It didn’t look too inspiring coming in to the city on the shuttle bus. Or where we got off either, but after a ten or fifteen minute walk we arrived at the older part of town and the Port. It’s known for its 14th-century Venetian harbor, narrow streets and waterfront restaurants. At the harbor entrance is a 16th-century lighthouse with Venetian, Egyptian and Ottoman influences.

    We had a nice couple of hours roaming the harbour, the lighthouse, the churches and the walled harbour were all so pretty. Had a little boat ride out to a former leper colony and then having a delicious lunch by the sea with Chris and Tanya.
    Oh and I found a fabric shop and bought some lovely 100% linen. They had so many colours it was hard to narrow it down, the price helped a bit with that luckily.    Read more

  • Karen LongEurope Trip 2024Traveler

    Scarlet night

    May 13, 2024, Ionian Sea ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Red dress up tonight. We started early with a red cocktail in the Bar. Listened to some convoluted love story about an octopus and a sailor. Both of whom came to a watery in but the legend of scarlet night was born apparently.

    Acrobats, bands, karaoke, great dancers and a pool party finished off the night.    Read more

  • Karen LongEurope Trip 2024Traveler

    Day at sea.

    May 14, 2024, Ionian Sea ⋅ 🌬 17 °C

    We have a day at sea today, next port of call is Dubrovnik so lots of motoring to get there. Late start for us and a chance to catch up on blogs, emails, messages etc etc.

    They have Bingo with the diva this afternoon, sounded like fun so we all signed up for that. Marl is out for the count today, the dreaded purge has taken her down. Hope a day of rest is all she needs.
    Wow the bingo was popular, huge lineup waiting to get in, thought we might have missed out but it’s quite a big theatre. The Diva was entertaining, and so was the bingo. They played four rounds with increasing difficulty. I came close a couple of times but no cigar. Some big prizes were up for grabs though. $3500 was the biggest.

    Blue shirt dinner this evening with the whole mob. Then we had booked a Karaoke room but a bit of missed communication, it wasn’t open tonight so we had to retire to the bar and finish our bottles of champagne, wine and ouzo. We rebooked n a few days time, hopefully better luck them.

    It was nice to have a sea day but I’m looking forward to getting off the boat and seeing something different today.    Read more

  • Karen LongEurope Trip 2024Traveler
    View from the fort
    1Walk passagewayGorgeous alleywaysMore alleywaysAnd moreAt the jettyKings landingFamily dinner

    Debrovnik!

    May 15, 2024 in Croatia ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Game of thrones fans are in excitement mode today. Dubrovnik what a magical place. Know as the pearl of the Adriatic for its beautiful old town, one of the last remaining walled cities, its lovely stone paved alleyways and lots of filming locations for The Game of Thrones.

    So many amazing building, beautiful alleyways, gorgeous sea views, a fort up on the hill with a magic view, gorgeous beach side restaurant, a huge wall around the whole town, cute souvenirs. Finished off with a lovely family dinner while the sun went down.    Read more

  • Karen LongEurope Trip 2024Traveler

    Kotor

    May 16, 2024 in Montenegro ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Sailing into Kotor today was just amazing. We sailed through a very long inlet almost a fiord with the scenery in both sides getting closer and closer. Pretty little villages and churches studded along the edge.

    The port is busy today there are three cruise ships in and we have to take tenders, apparently not many are available so they are getting off the lifeboats to use.
    Interesting to see inside the life boats. They hold 230 in an emergency but only 120 as a tender, so still quite roomy inside.

    Kotor town is another pretty little town, very crowded at the moment though so we headed for the back of the village where you can climb up to a church 15 euros for the pleasure of doing that. It was a pretty steep climb. Quite cold when we first started but that didn’t last long.

    What a marvellous view when we got up there. You could see right over the town and then down to where the resilient lady is anchored.
    We meet Chris, Tanya, Lan and Joc up there as well. Funny how we all headed for the hill. Oh course the church is only half way up the hill, Millie and Marl’s chests were feeling it after having this virus they are recovering from. The rest of us started off up to the top.
    Holy Moly it was a steep climb. Luckily the steps were the perfect height for me so it was pretty good on the legs but hard in the lungs.

    As well prepared as ever we had no water and the day was getting hotter and hotter, we all had long pants on. Luckily when we got to the top some enterprising soul had set up a stall there selling drinks. Only one bottle of water left which we snabbed.
    It really was an amazing view from up there. I’m glad we did it. Whoever gets the 15 euros though was making a killing. There were hundreds of people climbing that mountain.

    Coming down of course was harder on the legs than the lungs but we made it in one piece dispute a few slippery patches along the way.
    Met Marl and Millie in the town square and they had found a great little restaurant for us to have a late lunch in.    Read more

  • Karen LongEurope Trip 2024Traveler
    Corn Custard
    Slow cooked SalmonBeetroot RollsRack of LambAsparagus icecreamStrawberry SurpriseVegan mandarin icecreamAnother extra. Mango icecream

    Test kitchen

    May 16, 2024, Ionian Sea ⋅ 🌬 21 °C

    Second time at the Test Kitchen tonight. We have had Menu A tonight is going to be Menu B. We really enjoyed it last time and are looking forward to seeing what they have in store for us tonight.

    First course is Corn. It is corn custard in the shape of a cob of corn and served with corn bread.
    Second course. Salmon. Slow cooked salmon with three types of cucumber.
    Third course. Beetroot rolls filled with kale purée and Bubble beetroot on top.
    Fourth course. Rack of Lamb. Beautifully cook with mint flavoured gravy.
    Fifth course. Asparagus Ice-cream with Champagne cream and ginger jelly and crystallised ginger on top.
    Sixth course. Strawberry Marshmallow with wasabi cream.
    Couple of extra desserts through in for us.    Read more

  • Karen LongEurope Trip 2024Traveler

    Corfu

    May 17, 2024 in Greece ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Our last stop of this Greek Island Cruise. No tenders today so much easier getting off and on the boat. Corfu is a much bigger island than I expected, we headed into the city on the shuttle bus, lots of traffic and narrow little streets.

    The Old Fort is impossible to ignore when visiting Corfu and, at only 6 Euros, or 3 if you ask for a seniors discount is a bargain. There are so many places from which to photograph the twin-humped former Venetian citadel, including the town's Esplanade, the breakwater, Lovely area to walk around and plenty of beautiful views from the top near the lighthouse.

    We wanted to visit a beach while in Corfu and after some consultation with the tourist information we headed off to find one about 15 minutes away. We are spoilt for beaches in Australia so we were all a little underwhelmed, but nonetheless we paid another 5 euros for a chair and umbrella. It’s probably not the best day to visit a beach, it’s hazy and a little windy but we are determined to have a swim in the Mediterranean.

    This nondescript little beach turned out to be a lovely peaceful couple of hours and the little restaurant attached that looked like nothing decent would come out of produced some delicious mussels and red mullet and some fairly decent Prosecco !

    We had our swim in the Med, it was freezing but lovely once we got used to it, so salty too. I never float in the water my feet always sink but I did here.

    We decided we couldn’t be bothered going back into the city so got a taxi back to the cruise terminal, had a nice relaxing few hours on our balcony listening to the music p, enjoying the view of the old and new fortress and watching everyone come back on board.

    Joc and Lan had gone on a tour and only just made it back with a few minutes to spare.    Read more

  • Karen LongEurope Trip 2024Traveler

    Last day at sea!

    May 18, 2024, Aegean Sea ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    It’s our last full day on the boat and we’ve had a pretty chill morning.

    Tanya and I went to Zumba, then I met Graham for a drink and lunch followed by Karaoke with the whole family as well and Jan and Tony. We thought we killed it but the scores didn’t really reflex our opinion.

    Last drinks with the whole Blue Shirts crowd on the back deck was nice and then some music in the roundabout to finish off a lovely 10 days.    Read more

  • Karen LongEurope Trip 2024Traveler

    Arriving in Athens.

    May 19, 2024 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    We’re off the boat after a lovely last breakfast.
    So many taxis here and it still took a while to get one. We lucked out with our taxi driver. Charged us a fair price and offered to do a tour for us tomorrow. Five hours for 150 euros. Some of the others had huge fairs with dodgy drivers.

    The room at the hotel was not ready of course so we dropped our bags and went for a walk down to the markets. Reminded me so much of Hong Kong markets. We bought a few souvenirs from our time in Greece.

    Back to the hotel for a rest. It is blazing hot now. Then a look at the roof top bar. It’s very nice up there.
    We are meeting everyone at another roof top bar a bit closer to the acropolis at 7.

    Lovely evening having a few drinks and watching the sun set on the acropolis. Wow you pay for the privilege though.    Read more

  • Karen LongEurope Trip 2024Traveler

    Taxi tour of Athens.

    May 20, 2024 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Spiros arrived right on time at 8 o’clock. First stop was the acropolis, think he was a bit disappointed we weren’t going in. Too hot and too many people. We were happy to walk all around the outside.

    Then we visited Zeus”s Temple, Changing do the guards, the old Olympic stadium and The National Library. The Beautiful University and the Plaka district. It was good value for a five hour tour.

    We had the job of posting some stuff back for everyone. My god what an exhausting experience. We did finally get it done and hopefully it will turn up in Australia sometime.

    One last meet up with everyone for dinner and we are all heading in different directions tomorrow.    Read more

  • Karen LongEurope Trip 2024Traveler

    Ireland bound.

    May 20, 2024 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Today we are setting off for Ireland. First we need to get through all the tediousness of air travel, huge queues, security, passports, cattle class etc etc.

    Landed in Ireland at about 3.30, and a pleasant surprise to see no line for customs. The first interaction was with the passport control. “Are you all together then” he says to me, “ Well bring your friends up here then too”. He wanted to hear all our plans for the rest of the time we have here.
    Got our hire car and the shuttle bus driver told Graham he was crazy to be going on holidays with 3 women. Then gave us some tips for getting on the freeway and getting into Dublin for the day tomorrow.
    So good to be driving on the left side of the road again. Feels way less stressful. It took us about an hour to get to our accomodation in Sandyford. We’re staying above a pub and after driving down some narrow little roads when I’m sure we all thought the GPS was leading us astray we finally arrived at the Blue Light Pub.
    First impressions left a bit to be desired and there was quite the party going on already. After a hunt around for the landlord we were shown to our rooms above the pub. It’s really a big two bedroom apartment and after we came upstairs really roomy with a kitchen and sitting area with a lovely fireplace.
    After getting our bags sorted we headed downstairs for a drink and dinner. A wine first and then the first Guinness for everyone. We had the best fish and chips I’ve had for a long time. Cod apparently although not like the cod we get at home. We finished off upstairs with a pommeau and a cup of tea.
    They have music most nights at this pub and we heard them start at about ninish Millie and Marl had gone to bed so Graham and I headed down to listen for half an hour.    Read more

  • Karen LongEurope Trip 2024Traveler
    Trinity College
    The long roomLovely old buildingsBewleysHa"penny Bridge.

    Day trip into Dublin

    May 22, 2024 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Today we are off to a Dublin for the day. Marl and Millie are going on the hop on hop off bus and visiting the Guinness Stonehouse and Graham and I are going to visit Trinity college and wander around the city for a bit.
    The train ride in was a bit of a squeeze but didn’t last too long thank goodness. The girls went off to find were to catch their bus and Graham and I found the college. What beautiful building they have here the college is so pretty. We bought tickets for the long room and the book of Kells. There was an audio app you could download which was good, gave you a run down of every point along the way. We didn’t have any headphones so we had to go hide in the corner and listen to each chapter, luckily they only lasted a couple of minutes.

    The book of Kells was very impressive. Well the actually book was in a dark room under dim lights but the story of writing it and the animations and reproductions of the pages was amazing. The penmanship of the monks is so beautiful and all the intricate designs and paintings in that book, incredible.

    The main chamber of the Old Library is the Long Room; at nearly 65 metres in length, it is normally filled with 200,000 of the Library’s oldest books and is one of the most impressive libraries in the world. They are cleaning all the books at the moments so all the shelves weren’t full but such a beautiful room and so vast.

    Time for a coffee and the information centre recommended Bewleys which was just around the corner. Another pretty old building. Bangers and mash and an apple pie and coffee. All the pastries are made on site and they have a viewing room we’re you can watch the staff making them. Just while we were ordering an older made sat down beside us, he was up for a chat with anyone I think. Richard his name was, he keep us amused while we finished our brunch.

    Trip down memory lane then as we wandered along the Templar bar area. There is a football match on today between Italy and Germany and the crowds are filling up all the bars early, lots of police around too so they must be expecting it get a bit exciting.

    Graham is going to visit a Luthier this afternoon so we got ourselves back to Sandyford in time for that. Lovely old fellow who wasn’t feeling the best really but we had a nice chat to him for an hour or so.

    Back to Blue light for our last night there. Another great dinner and totally different music than the night before but just as good.    Read more

  • Karen LongEurope Trip 2024Traveler

    On the way to Killarney.

    May 23, 2024 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    We’re leaving pretty little Sandyford today and continuing on to Killarney. We’ve decide to rotate drivers and today it is Marl’s turn. She had a baptism of fire as google maps sent us down some tiny little narrow roads before eventually finding at least one that resembled a main thoroughfare.

    Our first stop for the day was Kilkenny we’re we stopped to get some photos of the castle. A gorgeous castle and it’s a shame we didn’t have the time to spare this trip to tour the inside. Fortified by the famous scones from the coffee shop across the road we continued on to Rock Cashel another detour we thought we could fit in for the day.

    The sun is trying to come out today and has almost managed it but the wind has picked up and it’s freezing up on this rock. We joined the free tour they have and it was really enjoyable, apart from the cold wind that is. Our guide was very knowledgeable about the Castle and it’s history. Founded in the 12 century and then added on to in the 13th it was used by the Kings of Munster until the Norman invasion and the after that by the archbishops up until the 18th century when he probably decided it was too flipping cold and moved into town. It looks very magnetic sitting up there above the town.

    We were all so cold we had to go into town and get a bowl of soup for lunch. The most delicious seafood chowder any of us had ever had.

    We still had another 2 hours driving to do and goodness the roads weren’t getting any less windy, worse if anything. I’m in the back today and I had to bail with about half an hour to go. Everything was looking green including me.

    Our little house in Killarney is great, three bedrooms with three bathrooms, perfect! Went into town for some dinner after we’d settled in and then home for a nightcap.    Read more

  • Karen LongEurope Trip 2024Traveler
    Torc Waterfall
    On top of the fortGorgeous viewsDerrynane BeachKerry Cliffs.At the very top.PortmageeAnother view of the cliffs.Dinner back in town.

    Ring of Kerry

    May 24, 2024 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Last time we were in Ireland we drove the Ring of Kerry and the weather was dismal, we gave up half way and continued on to Dingle. Today is looking more promising so far.

    We started off with a little faux par when we pulled into the wrong car park for Torc Waterfall. We were all thinking it was a pretty poor excuse for a waterfall, soon realised our mistake when we came across a large sign and car park.

    Next up was Ladies view and Moll’s Gap, then onto Kenmare for breakfast. Lots of restaurants there but none open for breakfast until we found a little gem around the corner. Had a delicious full Irish and then a slice of lemon meringue pie!

    Next stop was Staigue Stone Fort. A little detour off the road, but we’ll worth it. Built in the early centuries AD. All the walls are still standing and you can walk around the whole fort on the top. Little scary for some of us, not for the kid running around the whole thing.

    Then came O’Connell Beach, Derrynane Beach and Coomakista viewpoint. Wow such spectacular views over the wild Atlantic, which is really rather tame today, flat enough that the fishing boats are out in force.

    Skellig ring led to the beautiful Kerry Cliffs which are actually on private land. It’s a steep 10 minute walk up to cliffs and viewpoints but so worth it. Spectacular scenery and so many birds nesting around the cliffs.

    Our last stop for the day was Portmagee. What a pretty little fishing village. Could have spent a lot more time there. We had a much needed cup of tea at the pub before travelling the 70k back to Killarney. Pulled into the Main Street for dinner before headed home.    Read more

  • Karen LongEurope Trip 2024Traveler

    Around Killarney.

    May 25, 2024 in Ireland ⋅ 🌧 13 °C

    After our big day touring yesterday we decided to do a few things closer to home today. First off a trip to the Post Office for Millie. So much simpler than Greece thank goodness. The ladies in there pointed us in the direction of a great Irish breakfast to set us up for the day too.

    It’s a showery day so first off is Muckross House mainly because it will be inside. A beautiful 19th century house, set on the shores of Lake Muckross one of the three lakes in Killarney. Most of it has been restored and is set up as it would have been originally.
    It has the most beautiful gardens there as well and luckily the rain stopped for us to have a brief look around them too. So many flowering rhododendrons. They have weaver on site and make their own cloth for coats, hats and scarves. Graham and I both bought a new hat.

    Next up is the visit to the Killarney brewery. We were all still too full from our breakfast for lunch but Marl and I had a lovely cocktail, Graham and Millie did a beer tasting. Great beers apparently.

    We’d called into St Mary Cathedral, yesterday but there was a memorial for someone going on so we didn’t stay, today we got there just before the six o’clock service and managed to have a little look around before it started. What a beautiful church. Amazing architecture and windows.

    Ross Castle was next on the list, it’s on one of the lakes as well and so pretty with swans, boats, and deer around.

    Into town then to find somewhere for dinner. It’s Saturday night and so busy, we tried a few places but all booked. Millie remembered passing somewhere just after we got out of the car so we headed back there. Luckily they had a table off to the side near sports bar. Great food, Marl and I had cottage pie again and it was delicious, Millie had fish and Graham found some duck so everyone was happy.

    They have music playing in here tonight and they started at about eight. Three older guys with a guitar, a mandolin and banjo. Really good but we couldn’t see from where we’d had dinner so we moved over to the other section after a little heated disagreement with a nazi floor manager who didn’t seem to think we should be there.

    The band knew all the favourite Irish songs and quite a lot of Australian ones too.    Read more

  • Karen LongEurope Trip 2024Traveler

    Cliffs of Moher, Doolin and Galway.

    May 26, 2024 in Ireland ⋅ 🌬 13 °C

    We are packed up and on our way early from Killarney to Galway today. We’re taking the Ferry across the Shannon River, it Sunday so the roads are a bit quite to start with but there are quite a few cars and buses waiting for the ferry by the time it get there. This is a bit of a short cut to the Cliffs of Moher so a popular route.

    The day stared out a bit dim but is brightening up as we drive along. Getting off the ferry we following some tiny little roads up to the cliffs. I don’t know where the buses went but it wouldn’t have been this way. Someone had told Marl and Millie about a great coffee stop just before the Cliffs so we were on the lookout for that. We found it, and it didn’t disappoint. Such good coffee Graham had to go back for a second and the homemade cakes were delicious too.

    Getting to the cliffs we can see where all the buses were heading today. So many of them there. Luckily the cliffs go on forever so all these people can spread out. We saw the cliffs in all weather today, and they look amazing in Sun, rain, mist and wind. The weather is very changeable today, luckily we managed to stay dry through most of it though.

    A few kilometres and back along the cliffs had used up the cake and coffee so off to Doolin for lunch. So many great pubs with fabulous food here, and they are all so quick. Mussels, seafood chowder and Guinness stew all with homemade bread and butter.

    It’s maybe another hour into Galway driving through The Burren. What an amazing landscape. Whole mountains covered in cask limestone. It was fascinating. Makes you wonder why anyone would settle there, so much work moving rocks to get to the soil.

    We found our Airbnb. It’s over a small pub called Tigin. And it is tiny, two little rooms with two beds in each and a bathroom to share. Talk about cosy. It definitely leaves a bit to be desired, especially my bed, had to put a few pillows under it to fill the hole or I’d have been on the floor.

    We had a bit of a walk along the river and then into the Latin Quarter before having an easy fish and chip dinner. They have a music jam at our little bar downstairs tonight so we came back and enjoyed that for a few hours before bed.    Read more

  • Karen LongEurope Trip 2024Traveler

    Pub crawl!

    May 27, 2024 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Today we going for a trip to find not only the oldest pub in Ireland but the oldest recoded pub in the world. It is in the Guinness book of recorded as dating back to the 10th century.
    It is in Athlone about an hours drive from Galway. Easy drive straight along the freeway. We planned to go to the Castle and the art Gallery as well but unfortunately they are both shut on a Monday. Should have done our research before heading off. Oh well so off to the pub it is. Turned out to be a great time to go. Just on opening so not many people around. The lovely barmaid made us a Irish coffee, man she didn’t skimp on the whisky either. We stayed there people watching as the bar got busier and busier. Of course we had to have a Guinness in the oldest pub in the world before we left.

    They don’t serve food here only drinks so off we went to forage for some lunch. Found another little gem of a pub which served the best roast beef lunch and rhubarb, and apple.

    Seems like it’s a pub kind of day, dinner at the Kings Head and then some music at The Do Drop in and a rollicking good time at Barr An Chaladh!    Read more

  • Karen LongEurope Trip 2024Traveler

    Walking tour of Galway

    May 27, 2024 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    We did do something besides pubs today. Took ourselves for a walking tour of some sites of Galway.

    The Salmon Bridge, Galway Catheral, which is magnificent, The Quadrangle, Eyre Square, Lynch Castle, tried to find the Lynch window but it eluded us. Then Briens Bridge and Kirwans Lane.Read more

  • Karen LongEurope Trip 2024Traveler

    Last day in Galway

    May 29, 2024 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    We had a lazy morning finding breakfast and shopping in Galway today. We bought a few souvenirs, a Claddagh ring, a nice warm ear band, a couple of packs of cards. The girls stocked up on presents for different people.

    In the afternoon we decided to go for a drive to Salthill. A beachside area near Galway. Not exactly the beautiful sunny beachside we were anticipating but interesting all the same. Beaches here are nothing like at home. It was cold, windy, rainy and people were still swimming, walking their dogs, jogging. Guess life just has to go on no matter the weather.

    I decided I needed to visit Dunnes before we left Galway. It is I suppose an equivalent of our Target. Anyway I bought a new light jacket to replace my Grey one that everyone tells me is ugly. Got a nice navy blue hopefully it was pass muster with this mob!

    We’ve booked dinner tonight at McSwineys. It was fabulous, we shared a pate, then we had lamb rump, fish and duck all of which were fabulous and apple and date pudding for dessert. Marl and Millie didn’t think they were up for another night of music but we called in to Barr An Chaladh on the way home for a quick visit, two hours later we dragged ourselves away after Millie becoming best friends with the Publican and his dog, Graham finding out who was related to who, how long they’d been coming here for, who’s wake it was yesterday etc etc.    Read more

  • Karen LongEurope Trip 2024Traveler

    Kylemoor Abbey

    May 29, 2024 in Ireland ⋅ 🌬 15 °C

    We’re packing up from our tiny little rooms in Galway today. It’s been a great location, so central and great pubs and music all around Apart from my bed issues we’ve managed fine in this little space. It will be nice to be able to spread out again today though when we get to Donegal.

    Our stop on the way is Kylemore Abbey. A Benedictine monastery set on 1,000 acres of mountainside in Connemara. A photo of this Abbey keeps coming up on Graham’s feed so he is keen to see it. Driving up to the Abbey you’re met with a stunning view of it over the lake. The castle is beautiful outside and inside, The history is fascinating, the surrounding landscape stunning. We also loved the Victorian garden is amazing and luckily the sun came out for us as we got there The pretty little gothic church is under renovation but what we saw of it was lovely.

    We spent longer at the abbey then we intended and then had a long drive to get to Donegal. Lovely little cottage we have here up on the hill with three bedrooms. Once we settled in we headed into town for some easy cheeseboard supplies for dinner. We’re looking forward to exploring tomorrow.    Read more

  • Karen LongEurope Trip 2024Traveler

    Donegal Town.

    May 30, 2024 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Nice slow morning today, bit of a wander around Donegal town centre. Found a lovely cafe for coffee and breakfast.

    We met up with Marl and Millie again to tour the castle, arrived just as a tour was leaving. What an excellent tour guide. So passionate and informative about the castles history as well as Ireland’s troubled past.

    It’s a bit of a changeable day today, rain one minute, sun out the next. We decided to try our luck in the afternoon and visit the Fairy Bridges and Mullaghmore Head. We had a break in the weather just after arriving at the fairy bridges. Beautiful walk along some very dramatic coastline. It was windy enough to blow a dog off a lead. We were all dressed like Michelin men in about five layers and still cold.

    Another 10 klms on was Mullaghmore Head. It’s a famous surf beach in Ireland. Must be a bit too extreme today, no one was braving the water. They had some good waves going on there too.

    We’ve booked a restaurant tonight. Quay West, which Michael our Landlord tells us is the best place in town. Millie and Marl talking to someone in town yesterday, turns out his wife owns it. Anyway it was fabulous, we had a great meal and then headed down to the Reel Inn for some music. Graham requested a few songs and the musicians said he had to sing Waltzing Malinda if they played his request. So he did along with the Australian contingent in the audience.    Read more

  • Karen LongEurope Trip 2024Traveler

    Sleive league Circut.

    May 31, 2024 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    Today looks like it’s going to be a cracker of a day so we’re going on a circuit to sleeve league cliffs and the surrounding areas.

    First off is Killybegs. The biggest fishing port in Ireland. Not the most inspiring town but they did have huge fishing boats there. Next we tried to find the secret waterfall but after walking down a very steep driveway to a rocky beach where you had to go 350 meters down the beach over slippery rocks and if the tide is coming in you might get stuck, we gave it a miss.

    Sleeve league was next on the list. They have the road up to the cliffs blocked off and I was thing oh god it’s a long way to walk. But thank goodness the security guard said we could still walk up as long as we’d paid the parking fee. The cliffs were as beautiful a so remember them. Not many people up here yet so we had free rang with the photos.

    Malin Beg and Silver Strands were both spectacular, so May gorgeous ocean views along the drive and the beach was a perfect golden sand beach, down a steep staircase of 175 Steps. Bet it’s a Mecca for families down there in the summer months.

    We stopped at Glencolmeille Folk Village for lunch and a much needed lol stop. What a great job they’ve done building replicas of thatch roof cottages from the 1700s to the 1900s including schools, pubs and fisherman cottages.

    Last stop for the day was Ardara where we called into a Eddie Doherty’s workshop to watch the weavers demonstration. A dying art thanks to the invention of computer controlled weaving but so fascinating to watch. Eddie has been weaving for 67 years and can weave a meter of fabric in an hour. There is a whisky distillery in Ardara as well and we had a brief stop there for a tasting. Graham had the full tasting of whisky and gin and the girls and I had a gin tasting.    Read more

  • Karen LongEurope Trip 2024Traveler

    Malin Head

    June 1, 2024 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    We left Donegal this morning. What a great stay we’ve had in this little town. We’re making a detour to visit the most Northern part of Ireland, Malin Head. It’s only about an hours drive out of our way and such a pretty drive across the country and then along side the coast it was well worth the extra time.

    We had a few stops to make but they are all quite close together so easy driving between them. First off was the sand dunes, largest sand dunes in Ireland, they must have meant width because they aren’t that high. The locals kids were enjoying the beach on their ponies.

    Then on to Malin Well, a rocky little beach with all coloured rocks, a cave and a church ruin. There is a well somewhere too but we failed at finding it.

    Heading up to the Banba’s Crown at the top of Ireland. A watch tower the British built when they were worried about France invading them in the Napoleon War. So breezy up at that tower, would have been a pretty miserable post for the lookouts.
    We walked along the cliff to see Hells Hole, a gap between the rocks where the water rushes through. Amazing ocean views from along the cliff walk. We couldn’t stop taking photos.

    By this time the most northern pub in Ireland was open for lunch so we headed over there. The pub has been in the same family for 199 years. We had some lovely prawn and crab sandwiches before heading off to drive Knockamany Ben’s road on the other side of the Headland. Another beautiful drive with ocean views, gorgeous green fields with Sheep, Cows and the occasional Alpaca.    Read more

  • Karen LongEurope Trip 2024Traveler

    Ballintoy

    June 1, 2024 in Northern Ireland ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    We took the Lough Foyle Ferry across to Northern island to our next stop on the Causeway Coast. Ballintoy. The weather has just got better and better today as the day has gone along.

    Our accomodation is a cute little cottage with sea views across the Atlantic Ocean. Everyone has their own room again so happy days.
    After settling in we walked down to Ballintoy Harbour and I mean down and down and down. Lovely harbour though and lots of people down there, swimming, boating or just enjoying the sunshine.

    There is a lovely little white church we can see from our front window and fields of sheep either with little lambs or about to have them.

    Dinner at the pub just down the road was a success with enough leftovers for breakfast. It’s still so light outside we decided to drive over to see the Dark Hedges. No cars driving on the road anymore which is probably a good thing much less traffic to deal with.    Read more

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