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Now, on to Belfast, the largest city in Northern Ireland. We took the scenic route around the coast, but unfortunately it was cool and misty, restricting our views!

Arriving in Belfast, we settled into our hotel, ”The Warren”. It was fairly close to the city, but very close to Queens University, the Museum and Botanic Gardens. We went for a wander.

The next day was to be busy. Firstly, a morning coffee with Fintan and his wife Collette. They are Belfast locals, with Sue and Fintan having been at Bath University together. Quite a few years of catching up to be done!

All the catching up made us a little late for our Belfast Bike Tour, but guide Dave was understanding. Whenever in a city for a few days, we try and do a bike tour. A great way to see plenty in a short space of time. This was an excellent tour, with Dave knowledgable and informative.

For our final morning in Belfast, we did the Titanic Quarter tour. Belfast back in the day was a major shipbuilding city, at one stage employing 60,000 workers. The Titanic was built and launched in Belfast, the jewel in their crown. This exhibition centre shows the history of the build, but also the history of Belfast. Well worth a visit.

We enjoyed our two days in Derry, and with the now familiar cool wind and grey skies, we were off. Our destination, Northern Irelands most popular tourist spot, The Giants’s Causeway. It is a short drive along the coast from Portrush, our home for the night.

A popular destination, but very well done by the National Trust. After spending a few hours there, we motored back to Portrush for a look, then check into our hotel, the ”Golf Links”.

Portrush is surrounded by very nice, sandy beaches, and has a ”holiday town” feel to it. However at 15 degrees, not really summery weather.

Opposite our hotel is the Royal Portrush Golf Club. The Open Championship was played here in 2019, with Irishman Shane Lowry winning. The 2011 Open Champion Darren Clarke is a Honorary Member.

Our stay at the Glass House Hotel in Sligo was most comfortable, but it was time to be back on the road. With Derry being a two hour drive, we decided to stop at the beach resort of Rossnowlagh, near Donegal, then Donegal itself. The beach and resort were very nice. However, it was cold and windy, but amazingly, a lot of people swimming in the sea!

Derry is quite a compact city, and very walkable. There is a walk/cycleway stretching along the Foyle River, and the pedestrian ”Peace Bridge” across. Derry also has the most complete circuit of historic walls of any town or city in Ireland. They stand up to 8 metres high, measure almost 2 kms around, and were constructed between 1613 and 1618.

After a pleasant meal at the Quay West bistro, with nothing a bother, and a good nights sleep at the Holiday Inn, we made plans for the next day in Derry.

We decided to visit Bogside, a city neighbourhood area just outside the wall. It is a majority Catholic/Irish Republican area, and a focus point for many of the ”Troubles” The end of many of the terraced houses are decorated with murals, illustrating the history of the area. This was the scene of ” Bloody Sunday” in 1972.

Sligo, in the north of Ireland, is our next destination. It is known for its literary heritage and rugged landscape. Unfortunately, the cool, cloudy weather that has plagued us throughout continues, with some light rain thrown in! The poet WB Yeats spent a lot of time in Sligo.

In the afternoon we drove the short distance to ”Carrowmore”, a neolithic burial area. Following that we motored out to Rosses Point, with two beaches and a very highly rated golf links course. It was cold and windy, but the sail boats and sailboards were out!

After two very enjoyable days in Killarney, the direction was north, destination Galway. Instead of taking a more direct route, we drove through ”The Burren”, which contains one of Ireland’s National Parks.

The Burren is an example of a Karst lanscape of bedrock incorporating a vast cracked pavement of glacial-era limestone, with cliffs and caves, fossils, rock formations and archaeological sites.

And so on to Galway, a harbour city on the West Coast, where the River Corrib meets the Atlantic Ocean. Our accommodation is the Nox Hotel, within walking distance of the town centre.

After a couple of comfortable nights in the Torc Hotel, Killarney, it was time to drive north to County Clare.

After a morning tea stop in Adare, we continued on and stopped for lunch in Ennistimon. Lonely Planet recommeded ”Oh La La”. They were spot on ,as the crepes were excellent. The Irish comedy series ”Father Ted” was filmed in this area.

So, on to the Cliffs of Mohr, and our first experience of large crowds of tourists. A very impressive piece of Irish west coastline.

On to our accommodation for the night, Vaughan’s Anchor Inn in Liscannor. Their seafood restaurant is highly rated! And very nice it was too!

After a very comfortable night in the Metropole Hotel, Cork City, the Pharts loaded up the car and headed west. Killarney was the destination, but via the very popular Ring of Kerry. The weather was overcast, cool and showery, but this is Ireland!

We decided to drive the Ring ”clockwise”, as the tour buses go the other way. We stopped in the very attractive Kenmare for a coffee, then lunch in Waterville. The latter is notable for the Butler Hotel, where the Chaplin family liked to holiday. Also notable was a number of children swimming in the sea!

Late afternoon we arrived at the Torc Hotel, on the outskirts of Killarney, and steady rain.

We drove the short distance to the town centre for dinner. It seemed extremely busy! We were informed the next day was the Ring of Kerry charity cycle race, therefore Killarney was full of cycling enthusiasts. We dined at the Curious Cat Wine Bar and Tapas. A great spot, in fact so good we had breakfast the next morning at their Curious Cat Cafe.

Killarney is very close to Lough Leane and Muckross Lake, so the Pharts decided to take on the Dinis Loop Walk. About 10kms all told. A good workout!

After a couple of enjoyable days in the Waterford area, it was time to drive south west to Cork. Just before Cork, is the town of Cobh, on an island in Cork city’s harbour. It is the docking area for cruise ships. It was the Titanic’s last port of call, and is also notable for its colourful houses, and large cathedral.

After the long, Covid enforced travel layoff, the Old Pharts are finally travelling overseas!

With Sue Hamilton departing ahead of Blair to catch up with family, the pair were reunited at Heathrow Airport. An overnight stopover in Seoul en route for Blair, helping break up the journey.

After a few days of recovery in the Bath House Hotel, Chard, and family caught up with, it was off to Ireland. Bristol to Dublin on a budget airline, with the inevitable delays and a packed airport!

Rental car collected at Dublin Airport, the intrepid couple drove south to Waterford, with two nights accommodation at the Granville Hotel. This hotel is the oldest in Waterford, centrally located, very tidy with ”olde worlde” charm.

The Irish Golf Open 2022 is being played at the Mount St Juliet golf course, about thirty minutes away. The Pharts have tickets to the Pro Am, a warm up day prior to the tournament beginning. Great opportunity to get close to stars such as Ryan Fox, Seamus Power and Min Woo Lee.

With Kilkenny a mere twenty minutes up the road, the Pharts departed the golf for a quick visit to this well known town. With its many churches, cathedrals and a castle, it was worth the effort.

Kilkenny explored, it was back to the Granville, and a pre dinner drink. Guinness for Blair .. pure genius. Dinner that night was at nearby McLeary’s restaurant, which was very nice.

The rain continued to pour down, as the intrepid travellers crossed Cook Strait, and one night in Wellington. A stay at the Bolton Hotel, an independent hotel in the city, with spacious rooms and a nice restaurant.

The next morning, a drive over the Remutaka Hills, and on to Masterton, in the Wairarapa. The weather is terrible, with the North Island being hit by the end of a tropical cyclone. The Pharts are heading home soon, but Masterton provides an opportunity to catch up with Blair’s Uncle Rick and Aunty Marion. Also cousins Wendy and Brandon. The latter has a pet cockatoo, Billy, who takes a shine to Sue.

Accommodation in Masterton is the iconic Copthorne Solway Park. Convenient and comfortable, it has ”The Grill” restaurant, a decent option in town.

We had hoped to play the Masterton Golf Club, at Lansdowne, but sadly the poor weather was against us.

The Pharts hit the road again, destination Chateau Tongariro at Whakapapa Village. On the way, we called in to Pukaha Mt Bruce Wildlife Centre. Located between Masterton and Ekatahuna, it is worth a visit to see Kiwi, Kea, Kaka and others.

We arrive at the Chateau mid afternoon, to perfect weather. We decide on a brisk walk to Taranaki Falls, a circuit walk of about ninety minutes.

So, the final night of trip, and dinner is in the Ruapehu Room at the Chateau. The place is very busy. Turns out many people have taken advantage of a ”Grabeone” special! Dishes on the menu are expensive, and unfortunately the food and service fail to deliver. However the room and ambience are great, so the Old Pharts head back to Hamilton, well satisfied with their tour.