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The UK & Ireland experience

April 2018 - June 2024
Travel day has arrived. Off to the airport by train for a 3pm flight. Read more
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  • TravelerThe UK & Ireland experience
    Day 41

    Cliffs of Moher day 41 Sat 2 Jun 2018

    June 2, 2018 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Breakfast at Pier Hotel Limerick in County Limerick at 7.45am. Had to pay cash as merchant Visa would not log in. Stopped at Bunratty Castle in County Clare, took photos and looked at a tourist shop. Drove to Liscannor also in County Clare, and followed local roads to the start of the Coast Walk to Hag’s Head then along the clifftops of the Cliffs of Moher. There is a Napoleonic signal Tower at Hags Head built in 1803. There were many seabirds nesting in the cliffs. After taking many photos we returned to the card followings public lanes and roads. Walked about nine kilometres. Continued on through Galway to to the Connemara region and found accommodation at Maam Cross at the Peacocke’s Hotel in County Galway, replacing the accommodation that the hotel we had booked refused to honor.Read more

  • TravelerThe UK & Ireland experience
    Day 42

    Connemara day 42 Sun 3 June 2018

    June 3, 2018 in Ireland

    Slept in till 7.30am to a grey drizzling morning. Full breakfast and away about 9.15am. There were a lot of midges biting us as we loaded the car at Peacocke’s Hotel in County Galway. Scenic and misty drive to the Connemara National Park visitors centre past a lake with sheep on and beside the road. More biting midges in the visitors centre car park and the drizzle had stopped. Looked at the displays relating to the formation, harvesting and drying of peat which is burnt instead of wood producing no sparks. Started walking up the tourist Diamond Hill walk with most views obscured by low cloud. As the morning became early afternoon the cloud gradually lifted from the hill tops and the sun came out as we finished the seven kilometre walk. Towards the end we passed fields where peat had been harvested. The park was created to protect remaining peat from exploitation. We took a photo of the nearby Kylemore Abby driving to our accommodation in County Sligo. Dinner in Henry’s Pub restaurant near the village of Grange near our accommodation at the Mt Edward Lodge bed and breakfast.Read more

  • TravelerThe UK & Ireland experience
    Day 43

    Waterfall & Peat day 43 Mon 4 Jun 2018

    June 4, 2018 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Breakfast with a lovely sea view at Mount Edward Lodge Lissadel Grange in County Sligo, then drove to the Glencar Waterfall. As the weather had been dry for some time only the 15 metre high Glencar Waterfall was flowing. We walked the 230 metres from the car park and took a couple of photos. Then located the Bog road which we followed to the top of the escarpment about 500 metres above the lake. The road was mostly tarmac passing through a pine forest till a farm gate was reached at the top. The plateau was peat bog moor country with sheep. The road and areas beside the road showed clearly where the peat had been harvested. The peat was roughly 1.5 metres thick and it is wonderful to have seen it before it is all harvested. (Ireland has most of the peat in the world) There were spectacular views from the plateau which were unfortunately obscured by mist. Lunch on a seat near the car looking at Glencar Loch (lake) at the bottom of the bog (peat) road. Drove toward Portrush in Northern Ireland stopping at Mountcharles Pier and Killybegs both in County Donegal. Killybegs is a major Atlantic fishing port. We had drinks at the “Wee Bar” there. While driving we saw people harvesting and loading the harvested peat into their cars or stacking it to dry for collection at a later time. There were so many sheep and lambs on the roads completely ignoring traffic. Purchased petrol at Derry about 500 metres from the Londonderry Northern Ireland border and was asked if I wanted to pay in Euro or Sterling. (1.44 E or about 1.26 S). So many more cars and people in Northern Ireland compared to the Republic. The GPS took us right to Aaranmore Lodge B & B what a difference a full address makes. Walked to the harbour and a good sirloin steak for dinner in a pub.Read more

  • TravelerThe UK & Ireland experience
    Day 44

    Causeway Coast day 44 Tue 5 Jun 2018

    June 5, 2018 in Northern Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Breakfast at 8am at Aarnmore bed and breakfast Portrush County Antrim. Drove towards Portballintrae stopping to photograph the Dunluce Castle ruin as well as releasing a trapped bird inside a rubbish bin. Parked the car above Runkerry Beach and commenced walking Section 3 of the Causeway Coast Way to the Giant’s Causeway visitor centre crossing the Bush River as well as the Bushmills railway tracks on the way. We also passed Runkerry House built in the early 1860’ies. Watched a large pod of dolphins swim along the coast from the cliffs. Also photographed an Oyster Catcher bird. Walked down the road with masses of people and photographed the famous tessellated area. What the tourist information does not say is that the cliffs beyond the tourist area also contain bands of hexagonal basalt columns. The coastal scenery in this area is outstanding. We walked Section 4 of the Causeway Coastal Way to the ruin of Dunseverick Castle the back to the car, twenty seven kilometres in total. Dinner in Portballintrae. Steak two nights in a row.Read more

  • TravelerThe UK & Ireland experience
    Day 45

    To Belfast day 45 Wed 6 Jun 2018

    June 6, 2018 in Northern Ireland ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    Breakfast then left Aaranmore bed and breakfast in Antrim and drove to Ballintoy Harbour which was far more scenic than I expected. After taking many photos drove on to the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. We directed to a car park in a old limestone quarry. While Yvonne visited Carrick-a-Rede island via the rope bridge I explored the old limestone workings roads and some sea caves nearby. Took photos of the nearby Larrybane and Sheep Islands as well as Carrick-a-Rede. Drove to Fair Head and walked a twelve kilometre marked route. There were hexagonal basalt columns in parts of the vertical cliffs and most of the people there were rock climbers. There were views to the Rathlin Island which was partly obscured by mist. We passed the Lough-na-Cranagh with a stone wall surrounding the edge of a small island built possibly in the Iron Age, possibly Early Christian. Back at the Fair Head car park had a pleasant conversation with the farmer who owned the land. The farm is 400 acres and carries 500 sheep for meat and about 50 cattle. Followed the scenic coastal route to Carrickfergus and took photos of the Castle and harbour. Ate steak and chips in a local hotel before driving to Belfast. The GPS took us to the end of the street where our accomodation was located but there was no street sign. Having located the terrace house there was no answer on the phone number supplied by Booking.com. Another number on the door directed us to another terrace house a block away also without off street parking that was in the process of being renovated around the paying guests. There was no toilet paper or hot water and the front and back doors of the unattended property could not be locked. Fortunately the owner responded to our calls and turned up with toilet paper and turned on the hot water about 10pm.Read more

  • TravelerThe UK & Ireland experience
    Day 46

    Travel to Scotland day 46 Thu 7 Jun 2018

    June 7, 2018 in Scotland ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    Breakfast at 81 Antrim Road Belfast was dodgy. Could cook scrambled eggs in a glass bowl in the microwave as no pots and pans were provided for the stove. Drove to the Stena dock and travelled on the 11.30am ferry arriving at Cairnyan Scotland around 1.45pm. Saw jellyfish, one turtle and penguins from the ferry window as we neared Scotland. Drove to House O’ Hill at Bargrennan and booked in. Continued on to Loch Trool in the Galloway Forest Park and walked the ten kilometres around the lake in hot (24 degrees) temperatures. Took many photos of the loch and surrounding hills and a deep canyon like burn (stream). Back to the hotel for a dinner including crab claws, venison and lamb rump.Read more

  • TravelerThe UK & Ireland experience
    Day 47

    Drumlanrig Castle day 47 Fri 8 Jun 2018

    June 8, 2018 in Scotland

    Cloudy day, slept in to 7.35am and breakfast at 8.15am with an English couple who were starting a walking holiday but the husband had back issues. Drove to Drumlanrig Castle along some narrow roads dodging the odd loaded timber truck going the other way. Drumlanrig Castle is on the 90,000 acre Queensbury Estate in Dumfries and Galloway Scotland. This is real life Monarch of the Glen. We passed a couple of farm hands on the drive in on quad bikes both with six border collies on board. Later at the Castle the farm hands and the dogs herded a mob of at least 100 sheep past the Castle to a new pasture about half a mile beyond the Castle. A highlight for Yvonne. In addition a loaded timber truck drove by the car park soon after we arrived. The 40 acres of formal gardens as well as the Renaissance style exterior of Drumlanrig Castle were outstanding. We had lunch in the cafe and walked five kilometres along marked forest trails. The exterior of the building as well as the living rooms and bedrooms became Bellhurst Manor slept in by Bonnie Prince Charlie on his way north to Culloden in the Outlander series. Drove to Sanquhar to the Nithsdale Hotel. Had a Knickerbocker Glory (Icecream Sunday with fruits) for dessert.Read more

  • TravelerThe UK & Ireland experience
    Day 48

    Drive to Glasgow day 48 Sat 9 Jun 2018

    June 9, 2018 in Scotland ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    Another fine day in Sanquhar in Dumfries and Galloway at the Nithsdale Hotel. A full cooked breakfast is bacon, sausage(s), fried egg(s), tomato, mushroom, black pudding, fried bread, and toast. In England.they add baked beans and hash browns. In Ireland they add white pudding. In Scotland they may offer minced haggis in the shape of a black or white pudding. Sausages are better in Ireland than in Great Britain. Main road to Glasgow was closed without any diversion directions. The couple living adjacent to the closed highway told me the route around the road closure, an extra scenic 23 miles. There were sheep and at least 50 school aged children with weekend packs plus the odd semitrailer thrown into the mix. After just under three hours later we arrived at the Electric Brae Stone. Took the photo then searched for the optical illusion. Yvonne spotted the uphill appearance which is a blind bend, so too dangerous to roll a car backwards to prove the illusion. Drove on to Dean Castle Kilmarnock East Ayrshire located in a lovely park. Photographed deer lying down in the heat (23.5 degrees on the car thermometer) as well as the Castle. Teenage boys were jumping into a creek pool. We next drove to South Glasgow and our accommodation at Redhurst Hotel. Then caught the train into Glasgow and wandered around. Looked at George Square used for Outlander scene where Frank proposes to Claire at the end of WWII. Love the Scottish sense of humour the plaque commentating Queen Victoria’s visit in 1849 is positioned beneath the horse’s arse of the statue of the Queen on horseback. Thundery rain shower mainly while we were in a shop. Dinner in a Weatherspoon Hotel with a similar menu to the one in Brecon Wales. Packed return train with young people probably going to a concert.Read more

  • TravelerThe UK & Ireland experience
    Day 49

    Outlander locations day 49 Sun 10 Jun 20

    June 10, 2018 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    Breakfast at 8.30am at Redhurst Hotel Giffnock South Glasgow then off to buy cheap Morrison’s petrol. Could wash the bugs of the windscreen for once. Then drove to Falkirk and Callendar House. Displays of European Athlete Masters, people not much behind the current world record holders competing in their 80’ies and 90’ies. We then moved on to displays of the history of the site from the ancient long house meeting place for the regional Thane groups, through the the Saxons, Celts and Romans (Antoine wall built 20 years after Hadrian’s is just in front of the building). Once the Normans arrived the existing building started to take shape. The owner of the building was very powerful and as the keeper of child Scottish Kings controlled the country. At one point the owner of the house was a London water company and the Scottish Lord was supporting the Jacobite Cause till the British executed him after Culloden. The authentic Georgian kitchen with a staff of six serving a family of eight. This kitchen with large number of specialised spit roasting, bread baking, general baking, and various stovetops was used in Outlander as part of the home of the Duke of Sandringham, Bellhurst Manor. Next drove to the Kelpies sculpture in Falkirk for a photo then on to the Falkirk Wheel, a mechanism for raising and lowering barges connecting the Forth & Clyde Canal to the Union Canal. Drove on to Drummond Castle Gardens which were used to represent the park at Versailles France in series two of Outlander. Drove on to Deanston Distillery which provided the setting for Jamie’s cousin’s wine warehouse on the docks of Le Have in series two of Outlander. Yvonne had a whiskey tasting and purchased a bottle. Finally arrived at Invernente bed and breakfast in Callander Stirling Scotland. Dinner of soup and fish pie in a nearby hotel.Read more

  • TravelerThe UK & Ireland experience
    Day 50

    Walking near Callander day 50 Mon 11 Jun

    June 11, 2018 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Weak or no internet as we were on the second floor of Invernente bed and breakfast at Callander in Stirling. Baked beans served as part of a Scottish breakfast. Drove to Loch Katrine, paid for parking and walked for 12 km with views from above and along a lake shore road. On the way to the Loch we saw a red squirrel on the road. Later a field mouse with a tiny tail which we have been told is called a Vole. We also saw deer hoof prints in bog mud. From Loch Katrine we drove up Dukes Pass to the 11.5km Three Lochs Forest Drive toll road. Paid the two pounds at the machine and drove past Loch Reoidhte (walked to this one before entering the toll road), Loch Drunkie (had lunch there and also walked on short trails at the picnic area), and Loch Ard. Back to Invernente bed and breakfast Callander in Stirling Scotland. Purchased a bottle of Cava from Catalonia at the local Co-op shop.Read more

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