Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Bugatti, Bentley and Rolls Royce come from a far to drive the picturesque south Wales country side, made famous by Jeremy Clarkson and Top Gear. And then of course there’s us, normally in second gear 🤣, in our 1999 Fiat 230 van, holding up the occasional supercar as we explore this gorgeous landscape also.

Pulling over to take it all in, we stop for breakfast and are joined by just a few sheep doing the same. We are motoring through the Elan Valley, which is in the heart of the Cambrian Mountains and is owned by Welsh Water. As custodians of this landscape, they manage farms and are responsible for maintaining the estate under a 999 year lease. A rather large undertaking as there’s a legacy of water infrastructure here from the Victorian era that they must keep in working order. This consists of dams, reservoirs and a rather extensive network of pipes that travels all the way to Birmingham under gravity.

It’s also a great spot for the outdoor adventurists, as there are numerous bike paths and walking tracks to explore, catering for all ages and fitness levels. But what’s really unique about the estate is that it’s the perfect spot to enjoy a starry sky. In 2015, they were granted an International Dark Sky Award. Not only good for the budding astronomers amongst us, but beneficial for protecting the diversity of nocturnal species from encroaching light pollution 🤓.

The significance of our next amazing monastic site is attributed to David who was a bishop in the 6th Century, later being anointed a Saint. A teacher of the religious faith who was highly regarded by the Welsh and people from across the world. Pilgrims would travel exceptional distances to learn from him and so the site grew to accommodate the masses.

A scholar in his own right, for many of his insightful sayings that have had a bearing on Welsh culture to this day. My favourite quote was “Be joyful, keep the faith and do the little things” – St David. It’s truly remarkable to think that this quote has stood the test of time and still has relevance today.

Chasing waterfalls, relaxing by the ocean, watching the waves roll in and eating ice creams isn’t such a bad way to spend a Friday. Everyone needs time out and today just happens to be that day.

It’s only short lived though as we’ve been advised by the locals to visit the pretty beach side town of Tenby. Once a fishing village it’s now a popular tourist destination perched on the stunning cliffs within the Pembrokshire region located in the South West of Wales.

The terrace houses along this coastline are a stand out with their multi coloured facades as is the sandy shoreline. Looking further to the headland the ruins of Tenby Castle overlook the harbour. A 13th century relic defying the odds of old age. Even on an overcast day this place is awesome.

Concluding our Welsh journey in the Capital of Wales, Cardiff. We stumble upon another castle, well not literally as Cardiff Castle has to be the mother of all Welsh Castles. It reigns supreme over the 600 or more castles Wales lays claim to! But rather than try to uncover another legendary story about King Arthur, I’d prefer to remember Cardiff for Roald Dahl, Dr Who, Captain Morgan (rum 🙂) and Principality Stadium which is home to Welsh rugby.

This weeks adventure doesn’t begin with everyone’s favourite steam train, “Thomas the Tank Engine”, but a lazy stopover at Llanrwyst as we make our way out of Snowdonia, to follow the Welsh Castle route in Northern Wales. Here, we take time out to do some much needed washing and brush up on our Welsh grammar skills … haven’t they heard of vowels 🤣.

And when it comes to castles, the Welsh have more than their fair share. From Roman garrisons and Norman strongholds to Medieval forts and some fanciful follies of the Victorian era, Wales history has it all. Plus they have the smallest house in the world 🤣 in Conwy.

But the greatest of all is the crenellated Caernarfon Castle, with its distinctive octagonal towers. Edward the 2nd was born here in 1284 and given the honorary title of Prince of Wales. It was a clear symbol to the Welsh at the time that the English were in charge. And to this very day the reigning of the British monarch continues. In 1969, Prince Charles was afforded the title of Prince of Wales and the celebrations at Caernarfon were very ostentatious as the investiture ceremony took place.

Now the construction of such an array of castles, relies on an abundance of stone and needless to say there are plenty of mining towns throughout Wales that have supported this building industry. None more important than the slate mines that are responsible for roofing the world.

During their hay day before the mechanisation of slate factories 17,000 men could produce half a million tonne of slate. This may seem underwhelming but to produce half a million tonne of slate, ten million tonne of slate is mined.

Skilled workers are required to trim and split the blocks with a hammer and chisel. It’s extremely labour intensive to produce a single tile to the right thickness and rectangular shape without the stone cracking and the amount of rubble that’s generated in the process is significant. Thankfully they’ve found a use for it today selling it to the landscape suppliers who onsell it to the public for ground cover instead of maintaining grass lawns.

But not far from the fictional Thomas universe, in Gwynedd North Wales, there are narrow gauge trains ferrying tourists to a variety of destinations. They’re utilising the tracks that have been left behind by the slate mines. Each steam engine has been reinvigorated with new life having being given a makeover by the Welsh Railway. And to make them that little more endearing they all have their own names. It’s great to see these engines merrily chugging a long, with puffs of steam trailing through the Welsh hills and to know that some of these locomotives have been travelling the same path for over 100 years.

Now if you’re lucky enough to jump on board one of these steam beauties, make sure you have some spare change for the village stop, as the train that goes to Devil’s pass enjoys a Devonshire tea or coffee break at Two Hoots Tea Room. So, probably the best way to sign off this week is toot, toot! 🚂🚂

With Ireland now behind us, we have heard that the rolling hillsides of Wales are simply stunning, as are the farmlands and beaches. So, with this in mind we commence our journey in the north-east of Wales, exploring the small town of Llangollen.

With our first stop being, “The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct”. It’s a busy highway for both the narrow boats and pedestrians alike as the popular canal is one of the most interesting ways to cross the River Dee. Previously, horses had assisted in navigating this tight space, pulling boats from one end of the canal to the other but now it’s the responsibility of each captain and doing so requires patience as the space either side is very lean. It’s often referred to as the stream in the sky and was the brainchild of Thomas Telford an extremely talented civil engineer that’s built many outstanding structures throughout Britain.

The crossing is 307m long and is a cast iron structure supported by 18 stone arches. It’s a great place to go for a stroll as you have the best vantage point of the valley below and opportunity to talk to the locals who have taken up narrow boating as a chosen past time by converting these interesting vessels into their homes or business venture.

After travelling for approx 40mins we find ourselves compelled to stop at this pretty little market town of Llangollen. The main street remains dressed from a previous arts festival that had taken place here in a nearby field almost a week ago. Unfortunately, our timing hadn’t been quite right but it was interesting to read that this little town holds an International Music Estedford here every year with more than 400 performers attending to play music, sing and dance from 50 countries around the world. It’s a long standing tradition here in Wales, which can be traced back to the 12th century when Celtic travelling bards would bring music and language to the various towns as entertainment.

Walking around the quaint shops in town, it’s impossible not to spot the heraldic symbol of Wales that being the red dragon. The dragon although cute and cuddly in this photo was first adopted by Welsh kings of Aberffraw in the early fifth century and used symbolically by the Welsh to symbolise power and authority after the Romans withdrew from Britain. The Welsh dragon is synonymous with Wales as the leprechaun is to Ireland and remains a prominent feature on the Welsh flag.

Motoring further North we enter the national park of Snowdonia. It is a mountainous area of grandeur and stunning landscapes. We are keen to reach the summit and depart the Llanberis carpark for a 3 hour trek to its peak. We take the miner’s route and pass by numerous mine shafts and other remnant buildings related to the mine site when it was in operation. Reaching the summit we pass by a narrow gauge railway which was originally built to transport slate from the quarry. With the mines being closed the tracks are now being used by the Welsh to provide steam train rides for train buffs. It’s one of the more unusual sightings in the Welsh countryside but it’s great to see that these old tracks are still being used to connect day trippers to the tiny villages and that the old steam train continues to put smiles on people’s faces.

We are also, pretty proud of our achievement reaching the highest point in Wales. Although, had it been a clear day we would have been able to see as far as Ireland’s Wicklow Mountains, 170 km across the Irish Sea. Guess we’ll just have to settle for the whimsical look instead and remember those far away magical lands!!

To complete our 7 weeks in Ireland, we travel down the north west coast of Ireland, on route to Dublin for our UK ferry crossing. However, there are always a few more bucket list items to attend to before departing, which in this case turns out to be Glenveagh and Connemara National Parks.

Glenveagh is Ireland’s second largest National Park, covering more than 40,000 acres of land. The magnificent landscape includes mountains, forests, boglands, lakes and gardens. In 1980, National Parks took ownership of the Glenveagh Castle and gardens, opening it to the public. Today, it remains an extremely popular tourist attraction with the vistas and gardens surrounding Glenveagh Castle being magnificent.

We also, enjoyed little pit stops along the way to visit Enniscrone Beach for ice-ceam and to watch holiday makers take advantage of the idealic swimming conditions. Although, it seemed a little too cold for us to join in.

And a stroll through the endearing town of Sligo, to pay hommage to William Butler Yeats, who’s considered to be one of the greatest poets of the 20th Century.

Before making our way to the top of Diamond Hill in the Connemara National Park. Again, we enjoyed the scenery on route which included shimmering black lakes, more mountains, lonely valleys and just an occasional sheep or two.

Our Irish adventure has been incredible!!! I shall always remember and cherish the friendly locals, warm pubs, grand coastal roads, those cheeky puffins, orange men of the north, course links rough and green landscapes. And of course that ruby ale which I’ve taken a liking to… Guinness. Until next time Ireland 🇮🇪.

When Mic said he hoped to spend the following two weeks exploring Nothern Ireland, I was not sure what to expect given its past history of fighting with their southern catholic neighbours. However,  with that said, we have both been blown away with the natural beauty, coastal drives, sandy beaches and vibrant friendly cities.

Especially Ballycastle and the island off its coast known as Rathlin Island. Access to the island is via ferry disembarking in the beautiful Church Bay. On arrival the foreshore boasts plenty of options for day trippers to enjoy such as local restaurants, gift shops, cafes, picnic tables and a playground for the kids. Although, this is very appealing, we’ve brought our bikes over to explore the natural beauty that lies beyond, that being the breeding seabird colony.

Now as you can imagine, you will smell them before you see them because it’s the spot that thousands of sea birds use to raise their chicks. The seabird colony is a real crowd pleaser, especially when everyone’s favourite puffin makes an appearance. Best times to spot the Puffin’s are between May – July. And even if you are out of season with the Puffins, you’ll be blown away with other varieties of seabirds (Guillemots, Razorbills, Kittiwakes and Fulmars just to name a few) and how they raise their chick’s on the most precarious cliff edges.

But aside from the famous seabird colony, the island is protected by three lighthouses. The one we visited was the East Lighthouse built in 1856 and is the site of one of the most significant achievements in recent history. Here Guglielmo Marconi and his assistants Kemp and Glanville, set up the world’s first commercial radio transmission across the water from Rathline to Ballycastle in 1898. Commissioned by Lloyd’s in London to report on the safe arrival of shipping from the Atlantic. It was the beginning of the communication network that many ships depend on today.

There are also many other facets to this amazing island which are definitely worth mentioning but rather than spoil the experience it’s recommended to visit this special place and see how the Rathlin community has adapted to a very unique island life. If you’re lucky enough you may even spot the elusive Irish Hare!!!

Following the coastal route, there’s a lot to stop for and Dunluce’s castle is one of Ireland’s most spectacular medieval remnants. It is perched on a crumbling basalt outcrop above the pounding surf and has been there since the 13th century.

The other is the polygonal basalt columns of the Giant’s Causeway. It’s Ireland’s only natural World Heritage Site. There are some 40,000 hexagonal columns here that were created over 60 million years ago. A ginormous volcanic explosion that has had tourists disbelieve it was naturally made but must have been carved by Giants. Fanciful but untrue, keeping in mind the analogy that best describes what occurred here, that being that during cooling the lava cracked like lake beds drying out in the sun. Amazing huh!

And no trip to Ireland would be complete without a round of golf. They are still brimming with pride when they hosted the 148th British Open in July of 2019 when Irishman Shane Lowry lifted the Claret Jug at Royal Portrush. Needless to say my talented golfing husband had all sorts of adventures on the Ballycastle Golf Course, as did I trying to find that little white ball in the unforgettable roughs.

Another cultural activity we had the pleasure of taking part in, were the King William of Orange celebrations. The 12th day of July is best compared to our Anzac Day back home. Local lodges march in uniform accompanied by incredible bands playing well known tunes such as “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary” etc. They commence the celebrations the night before lighting a gigantic bonfire of perfectly arranged pallets in a pyramid formation. And on the day everyone is out in support, with children of all ages contributing to the nostalgia. A wonderful spectacle to be apart of.

From the breathtaking sights of the Causeway Coastal Route and the amazing experiences we’ve had along the way, we finish our journey in Derry, walking the walls built 400 years ago. There’s alot to like about Northern Ireland and coining the phrase from Lonely Planet’s best in travel 2018 sums it up best by saying…it’s timeless beauty and high-grade distractions – golf, whiskey and some of the world’s most popular rocks.

Leaving Dublin we head further north on our way to Belfast. We’re keen to explore Northern Ireland and its capital, learning as much as we can about its history. Trying to give some context to the religious conflicts that existed between Protestants and Roman Catholics! Hoping to see that the troubles of the past have paved the way for new beginnings for the locals and also for visitors like ourselves.

And if our first impressions are anything to go by, the regional towns are not only warm and welcoming, but they’re alive with Jubilee celebrations honoring the Queen. It’s hard to miss the patronage they pay to the monarch as numerous British flags fly high from one end of the main street to the other.

Our drive along the Mourne coastline was majestic and consisted of large granite mountains adorned with pine forests, sweeping down to the sea. Apparently, the scenery inspired C.S Lewis to write The Chronicles of Narnia, and it’s easy to see why, the backdrop during winter would have provided the perfect snow capped mountains for such a fanciful tale. Undoubtedly, a winter wonderland setting for such a prolific writer.

Similarly, with the temperature dropping again we find ourselves needing to find a mechanic who can repair our alternator. Unbelievably, we manage to find Wilfie. An old school mechanic who repaired our alternator within three hours. A strike of good luck for us to find such a skilled mechanic only a couple of hours away. We were extremely grateful for his efficiency and the friendly customer service he afforded to us. Simply outstanding! No wonder he’s highly regarded by motor enthusiasts alike, it’s 5 stars from us too Wilfie. Thank you!

Back on the road again we finally make our way to Belfast. The city that’s best known as the birthplace of the Titanic. In fact they’ve dedicated a whole quarter to their ship building past.

But this is just a small part of this vibrant city’s history as there’s the Belfast City Hall which dates back to the 1890’s, the Crown Bar built in the Victorian style back in 1826, the Europa Hotel being the most bombed hotel in Europe with 36 bombings to date but still standing, a memorial statue commemorating the loss of lives from the Titanic ship sinking on the 15th April 1912 and in recognition of its 100 year anniversary a garden and various plaques being erected in 2012 to honour the victims of this tragedy. And surprisingly this can all be found within a block or two of the CBD.

In fact, if your limited with time, it’s easier to take a walking tour as we did and have the history and culture explained. It’s also a great way to meet other tourists like we did, a lovely couple from Canada, Greg and Betsy, who were holidaying for their very first time without their kids. We ended up having so much in common that we ate lunch together and exchanged addresses.

Now as you may recall, coming to Northern Island was not only for enjoyment but to see first hand what all the conflict was about and find out whether it’s possible to move on from such turmoil/conflict by building tolerance and acceptance for different beliefs within communities.

To understand this division that existed between the Protestants and Roman Catholics, we were recommended to visit the Peace Walls. The outer walls of the city that today remain as a segregation between the religions and provide a repository for artistic expression. As many may recall throughout history, walls have been built and torn down but here in Belfast they have chosen to retain the memory to provide a visual history as a reminder of previous conflicts hoping that they won’t be repeated 🤞.

Following a fabulous week touring the scenic South West of Ireland, we’ve decided to accept another housesit, this time in Dublin. As such, we turn towards Ireland’s capital and as we do, make a spur of the moment decision to watch a game of Hurling in Limerick.

It’s a fast paced game, sort of a mixture between field hockey and AFL. A real nail-biter between the top two teams playing it out in a semi-final of Tipperary versus Galway, with Galway getting home in the last 30 seconds.

It reminded me of the Harry Potter game of Quidditch but instead of wizards and witches flying around on broomsticks these amazing athletes became air born jumping up to catch a hard sized ball slightly larger than a tennis ball.

It can also resemble an egg and spoon race, as they manage to balance this ball on their hurling stick running along before taking a swipe that will either pass through the goal posts scoring a point or into the net for three points. Think we may have ended up with a couple of sore necks watching the ball move from either end of the course at such a rapid pace. 🤕🤕 But it was a fun game to watch.

Another must see highlight on everyone’s Ireland itinerary is the Cliffs of Moher. The towering cliffs are 200m high and are one of Ireland’s most famous natural features. The weather gods were kind to us as we enjoyed a beautiful sunny day trekking 10km from one end to the other and back home again. Although do take the necessary precautions as these sheer cliff faces are extremely fragile and going too close to the edge could be fatal as the terrain is known to give way. Mic’s always the more adventurous traveller out of us both so it was a relief when other tourists told him to take care.

On reaching Dublin, our destination for 9 days, we were warmly welcomed by the adorable Feala and one of her loving family member’s Aimee. After a quick overview of the general routines and familiarisation with the local parks and walking trails, we were keen to fulfil our house sitting duties and enjoy the hospitality afforded to us by Thelma and Keiran. We were fortunate to be staying on the south side of town within minutes of the CBD.  It was an easy bike ride into town to visit some of the more well known sights such as Trinity College, Shellbourne Park and the Temple Bar. Similarly, just on the outskirts was Kilmainham goal which has been restored by the Office of Public Works.

The goal from the time of its conception was the first of its kind in that it adopted a reformative approach. This meant that anybody entering the goal would leave a better person with the right influence from the church, medical practitioners and nutrition. However, although with the best intentions, the goal failed due to a lack of funding and overcrowding.

But our favourite destination was the brewery experience at the famous St James’s Gate, tapping into Ireland’s famous beer Guiness and learning a few of the trade secrets along the way.

The behind the scenes tour includes sourcing the raw ingredients, process of brewing, storing and art of cooperage, advertising and the most important part… tasting while enjoying Dublin’s best view from the Gravity Bar. There’s some live music and DJ pumping out the tunes creating an atmosphere that exceeded our expectations. We knew it was Ireland’s number 1 tourist attraction and now we know why!!

Simply stunning is the best way to sum up this weeks journey commencing in Ireland’s south west of Killarney. However, before we get started a sample of the local favourite was in order, a pint of Guinness. It’s a super food! 🤣 But as a word of warning, don’t be in a hurry to consume this ruby coloured drink, as it’s best enjoyed when you allow that frothy creamy top to sit a minute or two.

Actually, this week the Irish scenery has just been extraordinary, so I think I shall take a break from blogging and just let Mic’s photos tell the story. 🥰

It’s an incredible journey, all made possible from the comfort of our motorhome. I no longer need that house on the hill, when I can have one on 4 wheels and a lovely driver that can take me wherever the wind might blow. 😉

If there’s ever a place or time to experience what it was like to be a Viking, then exploring Ireland’s oldest medieval city, Waterford should allow you to reconnect with this fascinating past. By simply following the Viking Triangle walking trail is the best way to see the 1000 year old Viking walls, Reginald’s Tower and the Bishop’s Palace.

The development of this site pays hommage to Reginald, a Viking King who arrived in Waterford in 914. He sailed a huge fleet of Viking longships into the Waterford Harbour and built a fort on the banks of the majestic River Suir.

There are plenty of photo opportunities here and similar to a movie set they include props such as the Strongbow Statue, Pillory (wooden stand used for corporal punishment to lock the head and hands in place and possibly leave Mic there 😂😂) and the Dragonslayer Sword. You can tell that Mic and I might have just lost our inner inhibitions here as we toyed with the idea of stepping back in time.

But the highlight of our visit was the Dragonslayer Sword, it is a new addition to the collection and is featured in the Guiness Book of Records. It has been masterly hand carved from a giant Douglas tree that was 23 metres in length. It’s like a Bayeux tapestry in that the history of the Vikings is carved intricately into the wood panels.

As we leave Waterford heading north to Kilkenny we are blessed with a stunning Irish summer’s day, with the aroma of these gorgeous roses beckoning me to take a sniff. And if my senses don’t lie they are as beautiful as they are perfumed. This gem of a castle aptly named Kilkenny Castle is in the heart of the city. It’s a 12th century castle that was remodelled during Victorian times for the Butler family. The castle is set amongst extensive parklands and has been lovingly restored by the Office of Public Works, making it a wonderful place to visit for tourists like us.

The surrounding town is also very lively and welcoming. We had wished to take a tour of the Smithwick’s brewery but like many others were disappointed to discover they were undergoing extensive refurbishments. Guess that means it’s coffee and scones instead. However, this can still be enjoyed in the jolly good atmosphere of the Irish pubs with the added benefit of live music. The only trouble we have is knowing which one to choose as they all seem to have amazing offerings.

By now you’ve probably realised Mic has an ability to coerce me into making decisions I would not normally undertake by myself. This can be both good and bad, but when he advises that I can’t truly claim I’ve been to Ireland without kissing the Blarney stone as it’s a must see attraction, I’m there with bells on. It’s also, on the list of 90 things you must do before you die! So, there’s only a wee bit of pressure to get this job done 😬

The Blarney Stone is believed to be one half of the stone of Scone, which was given by Robert the Bruce to Cormac McCarthy in 1314 for his support in the battle of Bannockburn. Now amongst everything, getting to the top is no easy feet and like a pilgrimage, we have to join a queue with a thousand others and wait patiently for our turn.

And so it is, we smooch the famous stone! 😘 and if I couldn’t talk under water before, watch out now as I have the gift of the gab or “eloquence”.

Last stop … Cork, which is Ireland’s second largest city behind Dublin. Another gorgeous town with an abundance of Irish atmosphere, not to mention the English Market and those mouth watering fruit flan tartlets.

It wasn’t by luck that our next destination just happened to be the Emerald Isles of Ireland. This was always a place both Mic and I had wanted to tour around, so when our 90 days had expired under the Schengen Rule, the easy option was to board a ferry from Bilbao, arriving in the South East of Ireland at Rosslare. An easy 30 hour overnight passage on calm seas, which gave me plenty of time to rest my head, as I’m prone to suffering from motion sickness.

Getting off was easy and once we passed through immigration with another stamp in our passports, we were free to roam. Although this time on the left side of the road and along very narrow carriage ways. Mic’s touching all the local hedges and stone walls and I’m having kittens with oncoming traffic, as we travel on the centreline of the road. Not to mention, at every junction they’re selling potatoes and strawberries. It’s an interesting combination, but I guess it’s spuds for dinner and strawberries for dessert.

Although not the warmest weather we’ve had on vacation, it’s the perfect weather for hot cups of coffee, scampi and freshly cut potato chips. A great reason to get some further wear out of my anorak, as I get used to the change in climate and familiarise myself with some of that Irish rain.

Our travel plans for this leg of the journey, involved travelling further south stopping at New Ross, Waterford and Hook Head peninsula. We’d heard that these stops were significant ports because of their river systems which assisted with trade and maritime transport. They were also known as the departure points for emigrants to flee Ireland, due to the potato famine of 1848. Millions of Irish emigrated to America via the ships that docked here. They hoped to build new lives for themselves, escaping the devastation of the famine and trauma of significant deaths that resulted due to starvation.

One of the better known families who fled Ireland in 1848 was Patrick Kennedy, the great grandfather of John F Kennedy (35th US president). JFK visited New Ross in 1963 making an inaugural speech. It was a tribute to his Irish roots and to remember the two values he had inherited from his great grandfather, which was a strong religious faith and a strong desire for liberty. 50 years later recognising the day of JFK’s speech the emigrant flame was lit in New Ross adjacent to the Dunbrody Famine Ship. The flame burns in perpetuity to remind us of all emigrants across the world.

As we make our way towards the south-west end of Wexford county, the house sitters have been asked to look after two cats in Cullenstown. Tootsie and Tansie, an easy going pair that work in tandem and enjoy the creature comforts of sleeping most of the day. It’s an ideallic location!!!

So with our batteries recharged we’re ready to tackle the Emerald Isles and look forward to that famous Irish hospitality, banter and majestic greenery. 💚 🇮🇪