Cobh - so lovely - surprisingly summery!!

And so we’ve had our first glimpse of Ireland. Cobh (pronounced Cove) is a delightful port town and really turned it on for the ship, especially for the Ozzies – although they thoughtfully included us – in memory of the 212 convict ships that left for Oz from here – mainly carrying women and children. We also finally made a whole Mass at St. Coleman’s cathedral, quite beautiful in fact and very ornate. We could easily understand the sermon this time even if it was in Irish!! And very good it was too. We went walkabout after Mass, heading towards the far end of Cobh and ended up on a “beach” Well, largish rocks but the water came in and out there. There were also cockles and mussels just lying between the rocks so I guess no-one is starving. We were told there were steps further along to get off the beach but didn’t like our chances so climbed a rock wall and squeezed ‘round a fence. We walked along in front of some quite new terrace houses and back to town. I’d seen a nice B & B, come restaurant come café so we settled down for a cuppa for me, a Murphy’s for Hoppy (the local Guinness but apparently much better because it’s more pure and doesn’t give you a hang over) and the best piece of apple pie I have ever tasted. Yum Yum. The town eventually woke up and there were pubs full of cruisers, and more pubs full of cruisers, a market place full of stalls and a rotunda where a concert ran all day from 12 with a different group every half hour. We had a burger and chips for lunch and also a ride on Thomas – well very like Thomas – a blue train with two red carriages, that took you on an hour’s trip around the town, and might I add, around the top of the town which was a steep climb from where we were. What a send off we had. A brass band and surely most of the town’s population, on the wharf, calling from the seaside pubs, and massed on walls higher up the hill. Since it’s the best day they’ve had, weatherwise, for 28 years there were lots of yachts and small boats out too. It’s 7.15 pm and we’ve just come back to our room. Hoppy has 20 minutes of video taking in the sight. It’s really is a pretty place. Mostly terrace houses though, but at least they’re painted different colours. Prices good here too. Only E69.000 for a terrace house although it needs modernising and heating. There was a nice three bedroom bungalow for only E130000. Everything has a sea view!!Things are pretty bad here though. Worse than the 1980s. Taxes have been instigated to gather more money and there are going to be demonstrations against the austerity measures according to the posters around the town. Well that was fun. We have to take the summer to Dublin tomorrow so here’s hoping. We’re meeting Craig too so that will be nice. Hoppy can get another thingie hopefully, to back up his 6000 photos etc. I refer, of course to “Hoppymoto” the photographer. 49 days at sea today – almost halfway through our trip – amazing. To be sure, to be sure.

Go raibh maith agat. Slan. Delyse and Hoppy