Day 45-Liverpool

We did a tour with a U.S. family of four from Liverpool to North Wales via the tunnel under the Mersey.

We climbed the 13th Century walls if the town of Conwy to get a great view of the Conwy castle.

Train utilising one of the original entry points:

Had lunch at Tu Hwnt l'r Bont Tearooms, Llanrwst -the "little house by the bridge" built in 1480 as a residence then the bridge was built in the 1636 by Inigo Jones. The Ivy house was then used as a courthouse and now it is a tearoom.

We had Welsh rarebit which is just cheese and ham on toast and scones and jam and cream (not clotted cream). Mum makes better scones!

Then we went to Betws-y-coed. Pronounced Betsy-co-ed. Which means chapel in the wood. Which is in the Snowdonia National Park.

Back to Liverpool to see Port Sunlight an upmarket suburb that the Lever brothers built as houses for the workers in the Sunlight Soap factory in 1888. They also built art galleries and swimming pools for the workers to improve their lives.

 The Factory:

And Penny Lane:

The weather was a superb 27 degrees  and sunny. Our Guide was amazed at the beautiful weather as it lasted all day which is unusual in Wales. The locals in Liverpool can look over the Mersey and see Mt Snowdon.  They say if they can't see it, it's raining in Wales and if the can see it, it's about to rain!

Wind farm off Liverpool:

I think Tony Abbott will have to review his ideas on wind farms. They are everywhere I'm Europe and people are proud to be using wind power.

Day 44 - Dublin- 29 June

Dublin for the day. Bought Ronnie a jumper because we are pretty sure that if we both sit on his suitcase together we will be able to squish it enough to fit it in.

When we were here earlier we thought we'd save some things that would be easy to do in a day.

Strolled through St Stephens Green. 

Beautiful.

Intrepid travellers that we are we caught the tram to the  Irish Museum of Modern Art. But, it is closed Mondays. Before trekking over to the Irish National museum, canny travellers that we are, we googled the opening days. Closed Monday unfortunately. 

Day 43 - Cork - 28 June

The port for Cork is Cobh, pronounced Cove. The most popular attraction from this port is Blarney Castle which we had already visited so we walked around Cobh. All the locals were going to or coming from the Sunday service at St Coleman's Cathedral with a stunning view over the river.

Some of the locals then have a customary pint. This used to be the start if a day at the pub for many but breath testing has stopped that and led to the closure of quite a few pubs and changed the town culture to a degree. 

Beautiful weather yet again! 

Day 42 - Guernsey - 27 June

Guernsey is one of the channel Isles. Perfect weather - the best the Captain has ever experienced in Guernsey.

Took the local bus to the Little Chapel:

 Then we took the local bus around the island. Some of the locals gave us commentary as we went around.

Day 41-Southampton-26 Jun

Drove from Bath to Southampton.

We left with plenty of time but the traffic was a bit insane. Bought some wine, dropped off the car and boarded the Royal Princess.

It's a huge ship, only a year or so old, huge cabin, excellent service by our very attentive steward.
Entertainment started already to welcome everyone aboard and sail away.

Day 40 - Bath - 25 June

Guided walk around Bath. Along the river, over the bridge, Roman Baths, Assembly Rooms and the Bath Abbey:

 Avon River:

Garden's in the Centre of Bath:

 Weir on the Avon:

Bath Abbey Interior and magnificent stained glass window:

 The Royal Crescent:

The Circus:

 Georgian Garden at the rear of one of the houses on the Circus as it was in the 1800's:

The Assembly Rooms with the original chandeliers:

Day 39 - Bath - 24 June

Launceston (spelt the same way as our Launceston but pronounced Lawn - s - ton) to Glastonbury. We accidentally discovered that they where were just starting this year's festival.  The farmer whose land the event is on has now quit farming and spends the year organising the festival and is doing extremely well out of it!

Saw Glastonbury Tor topped by St Michael's Tower 15th Century. The tor is mentioned in Celtic mythology and somehow related to King Arthur.  Not one is quite sure how but they are  sure it is true.

Glastonbury Abbey.
Then through Midsomer Norton - nothing like the idyllic town shown in the television show. No wonder they have to go as far as oxford to shoot it.

At Wells one of the women who look after St Cuthbert's church invited us in to view the 16th century ceiling.
St Cuthbert's medieval Church buildings:

 St Cuthbert's Church original ceiling painted to as it was in the 16th Century:

 St Cuthbert's Cathedral:

We got lost in Wells when the GPS insisted we go the wrong way down one way roads.  We gave up on finding it while reprogramming the GPS we found it!  We couldn't park so just stopped the car in the middle of the road and I dashed out for a few photos. The Wells Cathedral (no spires!)

On to bath to our exceptionally lovely Ayrlington B & B for my birthday celebrations.

Squirrel in the gardens of our B&B.

Day 38 - Cornwall - 23 June

Port Isaac, Tintagel Castle (ruin) King Arthur's Seat.

Port Isaac countryside which is typical of the area:

 Port Isaac Harbour:

Port Isaac Harbour and Town:

There are lots of caves in the cliffs.  This one is in Port Isaac:

 Port Isaac rugged hills above the harbour:

Dive bombed by a seagull which is no laughing matter because they are twice the size of Australian seagulls:

 Looking along the coast from Port Isaac:

 Tintagel Castle, a medieval castle - purported to be the place of King Arthur's conception.

Springer Spaniel for dinner.  Best food we have had the whole trip.