Ireland and Scotland.

Well we’ve had twelve hours sleep. Went to bed without even seeing a show or a movie in the theatre, or both, for the first time. Sorted out a movie to watch in our cabin but neither of us can remember much about it. Housework day today. You know – fill the water bottles for shore tomorrow; put them in the fridge; clean out the shore bags from the last two days; see if I can get into the laundry, so busy.

I haven’t mentioned I spotted a whale in the Atlantic. He did three blows then disappeared down again. Probably a juvenile as he was on his own and smallish. Leaving Cobh I saw a dolphin, and again yesterday on a ferry crossing the Clyde to Greenock, I spotted a school of dolphin. Yeah 4 me!

I also forgot to say I got quite sunburned in Cobh!!!!!!!!!

Dublin was great. Craig and Catriona (Anne’s son -very like Rodney – tall, pale and quiet and delighted to know has a little more hair than Rodney but only just – he’s jealous of his brother Mark’s copious locks - and his wife) picked us up off the wharf and took us to town. Hoppy had a small shopping list. It was nice and “normalish” wandering around the shops. We had a snack and picked up the on/off bus. Didn’t get off much but it was great to see the sights. When we did get off it was to see Dunblinia – the origins of Dublin and the Viking connection.  Back on the bus and through the city and Phoenix Park – very pretty and so spacious. As always we need much more time to really see the place. In two years’ time when we come and base ourselves with Anne and John, Craig will show us more. We wound up the day with a traditional meal in a pub, Hoppy had coddle or “codde”,  sausage, potato, and carrot cooked together with cream, and 1 ½ pints of Guinness. I had corn beef, cabbage with parsley, baby taties and white sauce. We were too early to get anything more than a glimpse of the night life of the cobbled area. Quite enchanting.

Then off to Greenock. Here the bus took us to Luss, a very small and charming village with great gardens, on “the bonny, bonny banks of Loch Lomond”, delightful countryside. Could be home of you didn’t see the houses. Once again we brought the sun with us and it was quite warm. There were people going out for a few days sailing on the Loch, and others taking day trips in their fizz boats . We had the best lunch of any of the tours although the local dessert was far too creamy for me. Hop managed his ok. We then went to Inveraray Castle. I shook hands and had a chat with the 13^th Duke of Argyll. He’s apparently the Chivas Regal heir and his wife, heiress of Cadbury, plus Lady in Waiting to Prince Andrew. Part of their palace is open to tourists – very interesting and luxurious with all kinds of art, armoury, china, tapestries and 18^th century French furniture; I liked the kitchen most – so interesting. The Castle was also the setting for the Christmas holiday in Dountown Abbey when Matthew got killed!! It’s amazing to think the Castle has been in their family for hundreds of years, about the three Dukes whose lifetims it took to start and finish the building, and all the history it’s seen. Back to the ship passed Lochs Eck and Holy, a ferry across the Clyde River and past lovely houses and flower beds. As we left the dock we had bag pipes playing and people waving - always very emotional for some reason. As we’ve left the last many harbours there’s been lots of boats and yachts making the most of the sunshine. Not at all my image of the UK! Another feature of both Ireland and Scotland has been the gorgeous flower baskets and plantings everywhere.

Thought we may see Wales - and it could have been - or maybe the northen coast of Cornwall.I’ve enjoyed glimpsing of Cornwall, for sure, sailing between Land’s End and the Scilly Isles this afternoon. Now we’re off across the English Channel to take the summer to France – ETA 6 am tomorrow I think.