Holyhead - Cork

July 26

Holyhead didn’t appear on our itinery as a very hectic point as it is more commonly known as the port where all the ferries from ireland dock in the UK.

It is however on the island of Anglesea which is now more important because it’s where William and Kate live.

We decided as it is only a small place to play a game of golf and croquet (which Tony won)whilst we were at it this massive RAF helicopter flew very low over, with the crew waving at us.

Someone suggested it was William piloting the chopper but we’re not sure. But it still sounds okay.

Their base is only 6 miles from the town which is quite pretty with a very nice promenade and very quaint houses.

A nice day,very laid back. 

July 27

Today we arrived in Cobh (pronounced Cove) the seaport for Cork, Ireland 24 kms. away.

Cobh is a beautiful little town so colourful, built on a cliff face with lots of gaily coloured cottages and dwarfed by a massive church St. Colman’s Cathedral which is home to the largest Carillon (49 bells) in Ireland and the UK.

Cobh is also famous for the last port of call for the Titanic before she sailed on her disastrous voyage.

The terminal here is adjacent to the railway station so we caught the train into Cork to see what it was like. We had been here before and kissed the Blarney Stone but had little memory of the City.

Cork was so disappointing compared to the other places we’d been, parts of it weren't bad but most of it is dilapidated and quite dirty.

Walked around the City saw a nice market, but decided to catch the train back to the ship to spend some time in Cobh.

Unfortunately it started to rain but we had a good look around and visited the Cathedral which was very good.

The local town here had an Australian day last Sunday as Dawn Princess was in town and many of the shops were still decorated as they had a competition for the best window.

My old boss and mate from LJ Hooker and his wife are doing a 104 day world cruise Sydney to Sydney on Dawn, so just missed them.