Killarney

We spend three nights here and funnily, the fair has come to town and is parked just outside our window.. Needless to say, it takes a while to get to sleep each night! :-)

Anyway, we have a nice though damp day visiting Muckross House. Occasionally the drizzle was so persistent, my camera thought it was monochrome..

It is situated in the Killarney National Park and this is how we got there...

The ruins of Ross Castle...

How we cross the lakes...tiny boats aren't they and they sit so low in the water!

Innisfallen Abbey, a ruined monastic spot on an isolated island in the lakes.

Muckross House, looking very Austen.

Waterford

We arrive in Waterford and on day 6 of the tour go for a walk around the city in the wake of an enthusiastic Irish guide called Jack. Waterford is know for its crystal but sadly the factory hasn't survived the economic crunch and has closed. However, we get to see the last commissioned piece they produced - the beautiful chandeliers in Christ Church.

The beautiful organ that shares the pride of place with the chandeliers.

An obviously Victorian doorway in Irish green. Even the pillar boxes were green here..

Stena ferry

It is a 3.5 hour boat ride from Wales to Ireland. Once at sea, there isn't really much to see except the boat one is on, so naturally, here are pictures of the ferry (It had the radio alphabet painted around the deck and I went looking for Tango, but it was inexplicably missing - as was Quebec.. Foxtrot will have to do, but it looks rather weatherbeaten!)

Cardiff

We absolutely bolt through Wales on our way to the ferry on day 5 of the tour.
I would have loved to have seen inside Cardiff Castle, but we just about caught a glimpse over the wall.




And you can't go to Wales without seeing a dragon. This one was on public trasport.

Bristol

We get to Bristol rather late in the day so there is only time for a quick walk around.

Saint Mary's Church is just opposite our hotel. Sadly it is closing as we get there so we don't get to see inside, but the outside is still pretty impressive...





Local residents...



and houses...

Bath

Beautiful Bath was like stepping into another era. Elsewhere we have seen old buildings, even old streets, but here because of the density of old buildings it feels like being in an old city. Even though new shop fronts have sprung up, the buildings are much the same as when Dickens and Austen would have visited to take the waters or enlighten the public with their literary readings. I did take several pictures in the streets but, peopled as they were with locals and mile upon mile of visitors, they look nothing like the shots that BBC period movies have the luxury of filming. So I am posting instead images that highlight the strange juxtaposition of a magnificent Abbey, with the ancient site of a Roman temple to Minerva, and Georgian fancy.

Glastonbury

The rather eerie remains of what would have been a splendid abbey mark where some believe to be the final resting place of King Arthur and Guinevere. The abbey was another victim of Henry VIII's abolishment. The only building that has remained intact is the kitchen.

Plymouth

So many famous ships and captains have set sail from this port. Of course the Mayflower is the best known and this inscription can be found on the Mayflower Steps. Other ships commemorated at the spot are The Sea Venture 1609, and the Tory 1839 which set off to colonise New Zealand.



Our hotel faced the Hoe which is the patch of grass (now extended to a public green) where Drake played his game of bowls before taking on the Armarda. The Hoe houses a Naval memorial which is flanked by a sculpture of Neptune, and the rebuilt Eddystone Lighthouse which stands as a testament to engineering.

Land's End

This is recording the third day of our tour on June 26.


We crossed the River Tamar, taking us from Devon into Cornwall. This is the railway bridge designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel.


St Michael's Mount - a monastic island.


Cornwall is Daphne du Maurier country and it is very easy to imagine Mary Yellan from Jamaica Inn wandering through these parts.


Land's End is as far south as one can go on the British mainland. Apart from being a rugged coast, this is now quite a commercialised spot, popular with charity walkers who sometimes go all the way to John o'Groats - also now maintained by the same development company). Even the BBC have put a Dr Who themed exhibit here... Many of the shops quip on the fact that this is the first and last spot in England (depending on which way you are travelling)