BELFAST

As we only came to Belfast a couple of years ago we asked The Shamrocks what we should do. They suggested the Crumlin Road Gaol. So we left the ship and got the shuttle into the city and then walked to the Gaol. We arrived and had a great tour as there were not many people there. The presentations were good and they had films of 'The Governor' and 'inmates' for you to watch. You could go into the cells and see how awful it would be with three people to a cell, which is what happened during the troubles. We went in the condemend cell where they talked about what happened before a hanging. It was all very well done.

We then left the jail after a couple of hours and wandered to St Georges Market before getting the shuttle back to the ship. Weather not good this afternoon so we watched Wimbledon.

ISLE OF MAN

Today was ~ tender port again, so we got an eary tender as we were hiring a car. We picked the car up at the Sea Terminal then went straight to Castle Rushen to beat the tour buses; which we did.

Parked opposite the castle and when we went in were the only ones there. It is a National Trust property so that was free! The way they have presented the castle is excellent and the guides were very informative. As we left the tour buses arrived.

We then drove on to the Laxey Wheel. The drive was lovely through the countryside and then we got to the wheel Keith went up and then we walked to the mine. Again a really interesting place.

Drove back to Douglas having filled the car up and then walked around Douglas for an hour before heading back to the ship. 

Weather was fine so we sat on deck for an hour before trivia.

FISHGUARD

 We tendered into Fishguard and were given a wonderful welcome by the local people just as we had before when we came here. We got the shuttle into town and went to the Tapestry that was made in 1997 to commemorate the French landing in Fishguard and the battle that followed. 
Absolutely beautiful tapestry as you can see below such detail and the story that goes with it is wonderful reading.

Then we went for a walk to Lower Fishguard and watched the world go by before heading back up the hill to get the shuttle back to the ship.

AT SEA ENROUTE TO RINGASKIDDY (CORK)

 A calm pleasant day at sea sailing round Lands End the weather was kind and we could sit outside on deck.

We docked at Ringaskiddy and had booked an excursion to Barney Castle. We dri=ove through Cork on the way there and the sights were pointed out to us. Arriving at Blarney no other coaches were there and the guide had never seen it so quiet. We want up the Balrney Tower first very steep winding steps up to the top. I was very brave but did not kiss the Blarney stone as was not prepared to be upside down with nothing beneath me. However Keith did kiss the stone and bumped his head on the way back up!!!

We soent a couple of hours waking te grounds which were lovely, then had an Irish Coffee and bought some chocolates before getting the coach back to the ship. Again warm enough to sit outside reading. Played Name that tune did not do well as it was films!!

A pleasant day...Wales tomorrow!

PORTLAND 28th June

 Docked in Portland Harbour and we assumed we could just get off and walk to the bus or get a taxi; wrong! Due to heightened security as the Russian Tanker is just offshore we had to get a shuttle to be able to leave the port. We were off to play bowls at Portland Borstal Bowls Club.

Shuttle dropped us at Portland Castle we then walked 15minutes to get a bus. The walk from the bus stop was another half an hour and this green was in the middle of nowhere opposite the Prison.

Had a nice game and the weather was kind. Portland has two prisons and one is for paedophiles an Gary Giitter is an inmate!

We then got a lift from one of the membes back down the hill and took the shuttle into Weymoth past Chesil Beah which is amazing.

New trivia team today and yes we won!

DOVER

 So after two weeks we arrive at Dover and most foks we know are leaving; Daniel and his wife Majella came to say goodbye which was sweet of them!

Anyway we left the ship at 820 and got the shuttle into Dover town waked to the sttion and caught the train to Sandwich. What a lovely old town it is! 

It use to be a cinque port, one of the most important but the channel was sited up so it became a producer of produce and weaving.

Stunning buidings and so peaceful and pretty by the river. We wandered around the town and the museum, had a coffee....not a sandwich. It was a very warm day today 28 degrees. At lunchtime we had waked round the walls of the town and caught the train back.

Sat on deck in the sunshine in the afternoon and I actually swam it was that hot!