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Ireland

Dublin

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Wednesday 23rd August 2017

Off to Dublin today, as the weather looks a better prospect. Hoping for a Guinness near the River Liffey and a trip around the city.

We drove to Greystones, to catch the DART train to Dublin, which hugs the coast line as it travels towards the city centre.The train was on time and very comfortable and took approximately an hour; stopping at some very interestingly named stations, such as Salthill & Monkstown. We also had the chance to see the stadium at Landsdowne Road before we reached our stop at Pearse Station, located at the back of Trinity College.

We decided to take a Hop on – Hop off tour bus, and explore the city sights on the top deck. The tour took us past The Guinness Brewery and Storehouse, along the Liffey, past Dublin Castle, and as far out as Phoenix Park and Dublin Zoo. We also changed routes and headed off towards the Royal Canal and the north of the city, taking in Croke Park and Glasnevin Cemetery, which we wished we had left more time to explore on foot, as it looked fantastic!

Before we headed home, we had to sample the local Guinness and some Irish fare, and as luck should have it, we came across ‘Kennedys Bar & Restaurant‘ on Westland Row near the train station. One Irish Stew, One Beef & Guinness Pie and a couple of pints later, we felt we had achieved our goal. We headed back to Pearse station and home again.

 

Ireland

Into Ireland

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Monday 21st August 2017

We are off to Rosslare today aboard the Stena Line ferry and into Ireland.

At last the sun had decided to make an appearance, perhaps we had turned a corner, weather wise.

All our hopes were dashed, as we set off towards Ireland as it became more and more like pea soup!! Nothing to see, but it was calm, which suited me.

Towing Kilometres – Today: 212 – Cumulative: 709

As we approached Rosslare the fog lifted and the port became visible.

Welcome to the Emerald Isle! A place neither of us has visited before. After the 3 and half hour crossing we made our way to County Wicklow, up the east side of Ireland and found our campsite in Redcross.

We had booked into the adult half of the site, therefore avoiding the kids (on this occasion) and any prospect of unnecessary noise.  Pleasant enough, with lovely shared showers and toilet block.

Tuesday 22nd August 2017

Powerscourt Waterfall

We ventured out today to the highest waterfall in Ireland, called Powerscourt Waterfall in Wicklow Mountains National Park. We took the sensory walk to the waterfall, which added to the experience and  our daily step count.

Lunch time was calling so we decided to head towards the sea on the east coast. We had read there was a good coast walk along the cliffs from Bray to Greystones.

Unfortunately, Bray was very similar to many popular seaside towns, with sea front parking, promenade and a variety of seaside shops, (very much ‘kiss me quick hats’ territory), and not what we enjoy, so we drove on to find Greystones to do the walk in reverse.

we found Greystones, but it is undergoing a regeneration project, with extensive building work, including many private dwellings, which spoilt the harbour area, the coastline and the walk we had intended.

We started to manoeuvre our way through the obstacles of the building word and then gave up. We wandered back to the harbour and in the opposite direction and sat and watched a few adventurous youngsters daring each other to jump off the rocks into the sea, whilst we had a brief picnic lunch.

We headed back to camp to settle for the evening.