Cobh, Ireland

Day 60- Cobh, Ireland

Today we were in Cobh Ireland, which is in County Cork. Cob is a small town that turned out to welcome the Dawn Princess. The Dawn Princess has over 1500 Australian passengers. Ireland sent a lot of convicts to Australia in the 1790's to the 1850's from Cobh. Cobh turned out with town people, bands, dances (the cutes little girls, think river dance). The town is quint and friendly. The stores had window competitions about life in Australia, It was fun. We got off the ship early with Joanne, Garry, Ros and Arnold and we walked up the St. Colman's Cathedral and since mass was just starting, we decided to walk to the Old Church Cemetery. When we stared out we knew that it was about a mile and a half but we did not know it was uphill. Just as we were getting to the top of the hill we met up with a local and made sure we were going the right direction. We were and someone mentioned at lest we would be going back downhill. Yes he said after we went back downhill then up again. Anyway it was worth it. Cobh's near the spot where the Lusitanian was sunk by the Germans in the war and there are mass graves in the old Cemetery and also Jack Doyle is buried here, he is famous Irish boxer. Cobh is also the last port before the Titanic sank. After walking back to the waterfront we had a relaxing stop at a café for drinks. We then continued along the downtown area and checked out the windows. As we walked back the market stalls had been set up, so we browsed, then went to the park on the water and listened to the band and watched the little dancers. While sailing away most of the town stood on the wharf and waved flags or white handkerchiefs. What a nice send off. Next Port Bermuda.

Cobh,Ireland

Dublin, Ireland

Day 59-Dublin, Ireland

Ireland is slightly larger than West Virginia and has a population of 4 million. The Currency is the Euro a little better for us than the Pound. Today we decided to walk into the town. It was about a 2 mile walk in to the City Center. Randy and I spent a few days in Dublin a couple of years ago and the weather was rainy. We were luck today because we had a nice sunny day. We walked in along the River Liffey. We walked by The Revolver Dublin's big Ferris wheel also known as, The O2 Dublin Eye. Since we had taken the Hop of Hop on bus last visit we decided to walk around the Trinity College area. On the way we stopped at St. Andrew Church and St Marks We stopped at the Westin were we stayed before and had coffee and used their Wi-Fi. After our rest stop we headed to Temple Bar area, Grafton St. As the day progressed the streets got more crowded and then we had to power walk back as we did not think about a taxi and we had spent all of our Euro's on Souvenirs. I was a little panicked as it was crowed in the streets and we had to be back at 3pm. Well we made it back at exactly 3 pm to close for my comfort, but we were not the last ones back. Our next Stop Cobh, Ireland.

 

Dublin, Ireland

Edinburgh, Scotland

Day 58- Greenock, Scotland for Edinburgh

We arrived in Greenock, Scotland for our tour to Edinburgh, which was a two hour drive away. Scotland is about the size of Maine and has a population of 5 million. Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland. The currency is the pound Sterling(GBP). Today we toured with Friends, Ros, Linda, Paul, Ann and John. Randy asked our tour guide Robert if they are still looking for the Loch Nest Monster, he laughed and said only the tourists are looking and the locals like the tourists. We made a stop about 20 mins outside of Greenock to look at a castle build at the base of the hill. This is where William Wallace was betrayed to the English. They are getting the Castle ready to open it to the public.

Next we drove into Edinburg to Authors Seat which is on the top of a dormant volcano crater. We took in great views of Palace of Holyroodhouse and the City as well as the locals who hike the trails and walk their dogs in the area. We next went into the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Abbey. Holyroodhouse is The Official Residence of the Queen of England, when she is in Scotland. Sorry I don't have pictures inside the Palace, no cameras allowed. We enjoyed the Palace as you could see the Old rooms and the rooms that were used today by the Queen. They had velvet ropes around the furniture and the priceless rugs rolled up where we walked around the rooms and you could just picture how when the queen was in residence they just removed the ropes and unrolled the rugs and she would be comfy. There were many bright flowers and plants around as she was due in the next week for her summer holiday. There is an old Abbey attached to the Palace that is in ruins. It is amazing that they could build such grand architecture in the 10 century. Next up was the National museum and as we were driving by it was under renovations and we decided that since we were short on time we would skip it and head to Edinburgh Castle and spend some time on the Royal mile. The Royal Mile is the area from the 12 century Castle to the Palace. Even though our tour guide Robert told us how lucky we were to have a lovey warm summer day, we opted for a quick stop for coffee, hot chocolate, scones and jam because we found it chilly. After the refreshing rest we headed up to the castle. We had to walk through a temporary stadium they set up in summer for the military tattoo. This is a military march with bagpipes ending with a lone bagpiper on the Castle Tower with Fireworks over the Castle. The Castle was in great condition and we were able explore the embattlements, cannons, prisoner of war cells, War Museum, Dragoon guards quarters, and St Margaret's chapel with its wonderful stained glass windows dating back to the 10th century. We saw a wedding couple walking down from the church. We were so glad we skipped the museum or we would not have had time for the Castle and walking the royal mile, enjoy lunch and looking in the shops. Next is Stop Dublin, Ireland.

Edinburgh,Scotland