Never mind the bollocks

 

Pomposity, Pageantry and Privilege 3 very good reasons to get away this weekend.  But travel isn't generally about running from stuff in our case, but being attracted to new experience. But it would be fair to say one of the key attractions was finding the nearest location that allows an escape from the billy bunting, and some quiet contemplation in the adopted land of Jack Charlton. 

So up we got, leaving Bryn to man the fort, advising him if he really did feel the need to party then to be the only royalist in the family and join the street celebrations on Friday. Right onto the important stuff...

First pit stop was at my parents house which nicely broke up the journey to Fishguard.  A lovely little suntrap in their back garden for breakfast set a nice holiday tone.

Was then onto the port, with a quick stop at Halfords as our limited planning meant we did not have the required UK bumper sticker, which notably, on arrival in Ireland, noone else appeared to have attached anyway.  So nothing to worry about there, the garda didn't look too interested. Infact no passport checks either side either as it turned out.

Made it to the port with a few minutes to spare, my cavalier approach to this trip noted by Chrissi, but not to our detriment today.  It looks like most of the problems were ports on the continental side, and perhaps airports a bit Russian roulette at this moment.

Great to get onto the ferry and settle down to a bit of reading, although I was quite taken by a video poker machine, but kept that in check as there will plenty of time for all that on another trip in the not too distant future.  Quick glance in the duty free and some good bargains for us to snaffle on return, perhaps the first personal benefit I've seen of Brexit in the entire time since it was voted for.

On disembarking it was a quick switch of the sat nav to Irish mode, no change of accent although I'm having fun finding my own Irish voice.  Around 40 minutes winding our way through a bit of rural countryside, through Duncormick to a small little hamlet near the coast called Cullenstown.

Our very modern but picturesque abode introduced by the AirBnb owners David and Mary, made us feel very welcome, home made scones the jam and clotted cream on a very nice cake.

We of course needed to find a bit of additional wholesome food and atmospher for our first night here, and drove around 7k (am thinking metric is the future now) to a little place called Wellingtonbridge which had a few shops and an interesting sounding restaurant Tir na nog.

Later discovered this actually the name for the 'Land of Youth' a Celtic Otherworld that appealed to the geeky Dungeons and Dragons teenager that still lurks within. Couldn't get into Stranger Things though, so perhaps it is fading.

The more immediate food served up was what caught my eye, and the opportunity to have the first Guinness of the trip.  Main course of Bacon and Cabbage was so much more than that, a mountain of potato and several other root vegetables lovingly ladeled in cheese.  Absolutely stuffed, but still found room for a bit of trifle, 1980s style and perhaps my only nod to the nonsense back home.

As the sun began to set we drove back to our lodgings, following a windy estuary that seemed to be overlooked by all manner of ruined castles.  Perhaps that Otherworld was beckoning, but not for long,we were enjoying a wine and some quiet contemplation back in our Courtyard accommodation.

Carys -

Started off the day feeling relatively tired; an early start to get ready for our venture. Once we were all packed up we headed off West, with a stop in to see Nan and Bamps for some breakfast and chat. Had a nice catch up, and then we were on our way. 

We travelled the furthest West I've ever been, having never gone past Pembrey before, and arrived in Fishguard. It wasn't a long wait before we were able to board the ferry, and we headed up onto the deck to observe the boat set sail.  

That was an interesting experience,  with a nice breeze and a nice view also. The jorueny was longer than I'd anticipated so we settled into the cafe after failing to find absolutely anywhere with a plug other than the charging stations you need to pay for, and ones above boilers etc. I had some disjointed lunch, having left most of my snacks in the car, and then went for a wander, and with relief found a plug on the floor in some random part of the boat. I sat here for a while so I could charge my latop. Time went quicker then, and it was time to exit the ferry. 

We drove for a little while before arriving in Duncormick, where we found our accommodation without much difficulty - I was grateful for once we didn't get horribly lost. We met our hosts and had a nosy around. It's a lovely cottage, so picturesque and nicely decorated, and extremely clean which makes it feel so homely. As you can see from the pictures it's just right for the stay we wanted. 

We got settled in for a short while, and then headed out, 10 minutes down the road in search for food. We parked up and popped into a little supermarket, which surprisingly might be the highlight of my day. It was so lovely - had a very European feel, with a gorgeous bakery and nice atosphere. Maybe an odd thing to think,  but i very much liked it in there. 

We ate our dinner in the Tir Na Nog Pub, where I had my first taste of Irish food - (spring rolls for started) and leek and potato soup with rye bread. I thought it was delicious, but couldn't deny dessert, despite being full, of course, so chose apple and rhubarb crumble with custard. 

We took some lovely pictures on our way home, with a nice sunset for a backdrop, and are now relaxing back at the cottage, enjoying it's cosy ambience. Also, I was wrong about the supermarket being the highlight of my day, as I got to have a nice cwtch with Tootsie the cat who lives in the surrounding area and apparently likes to enter people's homes casually.