Dublin day 1

Today was our first full day in Dublin. Yesterday we were a bit pooped after the long journey, but this morning we set off with new energy after a solid night' s sleep and a good breakfast.
We started off at Trinity college and amongst others went to see the Book of Kels and The Long Room which is the original library. It was the highlight of the day for us. It  was like walking in a movie.
From there the day drifted into things more Irish, like beer a visit to a Cathedral, and eventually another beer and something true Irish to eat. Boy, these guys know about potatoes!! Chips here does not mean french fries. Here it is the real thing. Even Dick could not finish his  portion and that takes some doing!
Dublin is clearly a very popular holiday destination judges by all the people and accents we hear. We are  having a great time.
We are unable to upload any photos to the blog, they will be uploaded to facebook.

Departure day

Well the day has finally arrived, 6th June 2018!

The bags are packed, the house sitter is organised, the money, Passport and tickets are sorted  now the only thing left is to try and tell the dog we will be coming back. Gracie (the Jack Russell) and Khula (the cat) have been 'out of sorts' since the cases were taken out of the cupboard for packing. Now Gracie is just sulking because she now knows she is not part of this trip.

Off to the airport now, next post will be form somewhere in Ireland.

Enjoy travelling with us.

Where we are going to and for How long - Itinerary

This morning I decided that I would put our Itinerary up for all the followers to see what is in the pipe line for our holiday in Ireland and England starting soon.

Before we actually depart I am off on a tour, taking some overseas guests around RSA for 10 days. I will be leaving on Friday 25th May and return on Monday 4th June, giving me 1 day to do my washing and pack for our 7 week trip starting on the 6th June. Here is our Itinerary.

The Randalls’ are Going to Ireland & England

Day 1 Wednesday 6^th June

                Depart Cape Town on Flight EK771 at 18:05 (Check in 15:00). Arrive Dubai International Airport at 05:30 and transfer to Flight EK161 departing at 07:15 for Dublin. Both flights at Terminal 3.

Day 2 Thursday 7^th June

                Arrive Dublin International Airport at 12:05, Terminal 2.Transfer to Wynn’s Hotel, (Address: 35-39 Abbey Street Lower, North City, Dublin 1, D01 C9F8, Ireland. Phone: +353 1 874 5131). Deposit luggage with the Concierge, (check in only after 14:00). Start exploring the city. (See ‘Things to do’ list).

Day 3 Friday 8^th June

                Check out the ‘City sightseeing’ Tour bus. Explore more! (See ‘Things to do’ list).

Day 4 Saturday 9^th June

                This is our last full day and night in Dublin, Explore even more! (See ‘Things to do’ list).

Day 5 Sunday 10^th June

                Check out of hotel and meet up with Arno and Elfi for our drive to Kinsale. At Kinsale meet up with Robert and Prilla. Arno and Elfi check in at their accommodation, we got with Robert and Priller to their house.

Day 6 Monday  11^th June  

                Explore the area with Robert & Prilla, Arno & Elfi to join in their car.

Day 7 Tuesday 12^th June

                Explore the area with Robert & Prilla, Arno & Elfi to join in their car.

Day 8 Wednesday 13^th June

                Arno & Elfi pick us up and we start the exploration of the West Coast. Accommodation TBA.

Day 9 Thursday 14^th June

                Continue the West Coast exploration. Accommodation TBA.

Day 10 Friday 15^th June

                Continue the West Coast exploration. Accommodation TBA.

Day 11 Saturday 16^th June

                Continue the West Coast exploration. Arno & Elfi fly out of Dublin in the evening. Overnight at 3 Ossory Road, (Airbnb, Host: Carolina, Phone xyz, 1 night). Check in: Flexible.

Day 12 Sunday 17^th June

Explore around Dublin for the morning; check in at Dublin International Airport for our Aer Lingus Flight EL 3284 (operated by Stobart Air) at 14:00 (Check in 12:00) Terminal 2. Arrive Bristol International at 15:15. Felicity or Dave to pick us up and proceed to Bream. Overnight in Glamping Pod!

Day 13 Monday 18^th June

                Explore around Bream / Forest of Dean, shopping for groceries for the boat trip.

Day 14 Tuesday 19^th June

                Travel up to Trevor to pick up the Narrow Boat at 14:00, get all the instructions before departing to cruise the Llangollen Canal. Heading in the direction of Wrenbury, should take 3 days to get there!

 Day 15 Wednesday 20^th June

                Travel the Canal.

Day 16 Thursday 21^st June

                Today should be the Summer Solstice.

Travel and enjoy the Canal.

Day 17 Friday 22^nd June

                Travel and enjoy the canal, going through the locks etc. Should reach Wrenbury!!

Day 18 Saturday 23^rd June

                 All things being equal we should be heading back down the Canal towards Llangollen.

Day 18 Sunday 24^th June

                Enjoy the return trip, old hands at locks and lift bridges.

Day 19 Monday 25^th June

                2^nd last day on the Canal, maybe overnight at Llangollen?

Day 20 Tuesday 26^th June

                Return Narrow Boat to Trevor by 09:00. Travel back to Bream via Llangollen, overnight at The Royal Oak, (Address: Park Hill, Lydney GL15 4PG, United Kingdom. Phone: +44 1594 562356). Pick up hire car in Gloucester at 15:00.  Europcar, 10 Hempsted Lane, Gloucester. Phone +44 371 384 3494.

Day 21 Wednesday 27^th June

                Travel from Bream to Exeter, explore the area on the way down. Overnight at 4 Regent Str. (Airbnb, Host: Maria Bernal, Phone:+447449888664, 3 nights). Check in: after 17:00.

Day 22 Thursday 28^th June

                Explore Exeter, see To Do / See list.

Day 23 Friday 29^th June

                Explore Exeter, see To Do / See list.

Day 24 Saturday 30^th June

(Dads Birthday he would have been98)

Travel from Exeter to Penzance area, explore as we go. Overnight at Lower Drift Farm House, Drift Close, Lower Drift, England TR19 6AA. (Airbnb, Host Alison Wallis, Phone: +44 7834 864844.3 nights). Check in 16:00 – 19:00.

Day 25 Sunday 1^st July

                Explore Penzance, (See ‘Things to do’ list).

Day 26 Monday 2^nd July

                Explore Penzance, (See ‘Things to do’ list).

Day 27 Tuesday 3^rd July

                Arnos’ Birthday, 57 years old.

Travel from Penzance to ‘Who Knows Where’ explore the area as we go. Overnight at A Room with a View in Instow, Roses, New Road, Instow, Devon EX39 4LN. (Airbnb, Host: Jackie Braddon, Phone: +44 7876 196479. 3 nights). Check in after 15:00.

Day 28 Wednesday 4^th July

                American Independence Day.

Explore the area we find ourselves in (See ‘Things to do’ list).,

Day 29 Thursday 5^th July

                Explore the area we find ourselves in, (See ‘Things to do’ list).

 Day 30 Friday 6^th July

                Head back to Bream, exploring the area. Overnight at Old Co Op House, Forest of Dean, High Street Flat 1, Old Co Op House, Bream, England GL15, (Airbnb, Host: Suzette Brunsdon, Phone: +44 7824 660480, 3 nights). Check in 14:00 – 23:59.

Day 31 Saturday 7^th July

                Explore around Bream and Forest of Dean. Help with party set up. Birthday party @ 18:00.

Day 32 Sunday 8^th July

                Felicitys’ Birthday, 70 years old.

Day 33 Monday 9^th July

                Travel from Bream to Comberton, via Cambridge. Return hire car in Cambridge by 15:00, Europcar, 264 New Market Road, Cambridge. Phone +44 371 384 5907. Make our way to Comberton. Overnight with Marcus and Sabine, 3 nights.

Day 34 Tuesday 10^th July

                Explore Cambridge/Comberton area.

Day 35 Wednesday 11^th July

                Explore Cambridge/Comberton area.

Day 36 Thursday 12^th July

                Make our way to Little Shelford. Overnight at Pretty Thatched Cottage, 11 High Street, Little Shelford, England, CB22 5ES, (Airbnb, Host: Christa Jostock, Phone: +44 7770 680654, 1 night). Check in after 15:00.

Day 37 Friday 13^th July

                Explore the area on foot, Clive to pick us up at Pretty Thatched Cottage, between 14:00 – 16:00. Travel back to Mauldon. Overnight at George Inn (3 nights)

Day 38 Saturday 14^th July

                Under Clive Bloors’ arrangements.

 Day 39 Sunday 15^th July

                Under Clive Bloors’ arrangements.

Day 40 Monday 16^th July

                Doug to pick us up at +/- 10:00 and travel back to Basildon, explore on route. Overnight with Doug and family, 2 nights.

Day 41 Tuesday 17^th July

                Under Doug Dales’ arrangements.

 Day 42 Wednesday 18^th July

                Travel from Basildon to Chalfont St. Peter, (train or bus/coach) via London? Overnight with Ngaere, 3 nights.

Day 43 Thursday 19^th July

                Under Ngaeres’ arrangements

Day 44 Friday 20^th July

                Under Ngaeres’ arrangements

Day 45 Saturday 21^st July

                Travel from Chalfont St. Peter to Warlingham (train or bus/coach) via London? Overnight with Sue & Al in the flat, 5 nights.

Day 46 Sunday 22^nd July

                Explore the area with Sue & Al. See To Do / See list.

Day 47 Monday 23^rd July

                Explore the area with Sue & Al. See To Do / See list.

Day 48 Tuesday 24^th July

                Explore the area with Sue & Al. See To Do / See list.

Day 49 Wednesday 25^th July

                Explore the area with Sue & Al. See To Do / See list.

Day 50 Thursday 26^th July

                Travel from Warlingham to Gatwick International Airport, (Sue & Al offered to take us), Flight EK010 at 21:45 (Check in 18:00) Terminal N – North Terminal from Gatwick to Dubai. Overnight on flight. Arrive Dubai International Airport at 07:35 and transfer to Flight EK770 departing at 08:50 for Cape Town. Both flights from Terminal 3.

Day 51 Friday 27^th July

                Arrive Cape Town at 16:30 ex Flight EK770

The end of the Holiday.

The Holiday!

Yesterday, Wednesday 9th May 2018, it was exactly 4 weeks until we are off on another holiday. This time we are going to Ireland for 10 days then to England for the remainder of the 7 weeks we are away.

We are going to do the Narrow Boats on the Llangollen canal, visit Devon & Cornwell, see some friends and have a great time.

The whole idea is to celebrate my sister Felicity's 70th birthday, see the rest of the family, visit friends that I have not seen since the late 1970's.