OUR TRAVELS CONTINUE

Day 12
Departed Donegal and headed south towards Galway. Drove along the coast and through the Connemera, which had great scenery once again. Stopped off at a little crat shop where Vanessa brought some Irish dancing socks ready for when we got to Doolin. Ended up staying in a Hotel on the outskirts of Galway, in a place called Salthill. Nice place over looking Galway Bay.
Day 13 (Friday)
Left Galway/Salthill and headed for what was and what we found out IS the music capital of Ireland. A little place on the mid western coast call Doolin. Population 60, but the main thing, they had 3 pubs. We travelled along the coast once more, visiting a few sights, and around what is known as the Burren. It should have been Barren, very beautiful in it's own right, but one great barren hill dominated the landscape. Arrived in Doolin around 2pm, and after having a bit of a look around, we went and had lunch at O'Connors Pub. Very nice meal, but it's where the tourist coaches pull up, which makes it crowded. After lunch we went and booked into a B&B just up the road from Mac'Diamada's Pub, and you guessed it, had a little bubby nap. But because we had been waiting so long for the music, we got up at about 6pm, and off to the pub we went. Got there and found a top seat close to the bar and the stage, grabbed a couple of pints, and settled back for an evenings entertainment. As luck would have it, our first experience of music and the hospitality of Doolin was "fiecann great". The band was sensational, and we meet a couple of lads from the east coast of Ireland (Bill & Charlie), and ended up having a grouse time.
Day 14
Woke up very seedy, all I remember is it was the logest 200 metres I had ever walked last night. The rock fences kept bumping into me!!!
Well after a night like that we had to go in search of a ATM, and restock the old wallet. We thought we would kill to birds with the one stone, and do some sight seeing also. So we got in the trusty Fiat, and headed of to Ennis, nice little town really, got some cash, and headed off looking at castles, cranogs, ring forts, tractors, and other such interesting highlights that the country has to offer. Got back to Doolin late afternoon, no time for a bubby nap, and off to the pub for more great times!!! Lucky we did as it was pretty full, but our old mates Charlie & Bill had a spot for us. We were starting to be one of the locals, sitting in the corner near the beer taps, bloody great. Told a lot of lies with the boys trying to out do us with even bigger lies about the fish that got away during the afternoon. Had more pints, then what happens? I here my name being called out across the bar, and who should it be but Judy and Rob, workmates also travelling around Ireland. Well, after a few more pints we told more lies with all of us having a bloody great time.
Day 15 (Sunday)
Again woke up seedy, with more bruises from the rock fences. Had breakfast, then went back to bed for a lay in. We got back up mid morning and went and had a look at the Cliffs of Moher, just south. I have never been so cold for a long time. The wind went straight though you, and I had ear ache it was that cold. Having a slight headache didn't help. We then went and had a look at O'Brien Tower, a monument erected to honour Corneleus O'Brien, who apparently was a great politician and community leader in the area in the early 1900's. From there we went to the Rock Shop, that just by coincidence sold jewelery. After a small fortune spent, we headed of back to Doolin, as we had to get to the pub for the Hurling between Counties Clare and Tipperary. Being locals you do things like that!! Well being our last night in Doolin, we thought we'd best have a pint or 10, and tell more lies, and that's what we did. Listened to a top band, "Dulsert", talked fish stories with Bill & Charlie, and had a good old yarn to a local farmer about farming in Ireland.
Day 16
It's sad to say but we had to leave Doolin. The highlight of the trip so far. The next stop on our journey, Dingle, and as my boss said, it sounds like something between a sheeps hind legs!! But no, it was more pleasant than that. Travelled through Cork. We found a B&B late arvo, and had a sleep after 3 hard days. We didn't feel like doing much so we choose to get some fast food and veg out for the rest of the evening.
Day 17
Today we went on an all day drive around the Dingle peninsula, and across to Brandon and Castlegregory. Gee they know how to name their towns don't they!!! Had a few beers here and there, and basically took in the scenery. Drove though Conors Pass, which had to be the narrowest road around. It was hard to pass an on coming car let alone a truck, or the local transport (a tractor). That night we went out to a resturant for another great meal, followed by a few pints, then back to the B&B for another early one.
Day 18
Drove to Killarney for a look, and where pleasantly suprised. For a touristy town, it looked as though it had potential. We went to the tourist office and got them to find us a B&B, and for $2 we got a great place walking distance from the centre. After dropping some washing off, we went and had a bit off a look around, and visited a few pubs before having an afternoon nap. Went out for a meal then just went on a bit of a pub crawl. Not a bad town for a good pub crawl at all.
Day 19
done the Ring of Kerry, just to say we had, but were a little disapointed. It was fairly foggy and the scenery was not as good as up North. On the way back went for a look at Muckross House, a grand old "Pride and Predjedous" home built on Killarney Lake. Very well worth the visit. Got back to the B&B late arvo, then went out for dinner and a but nore of a pub crawl. Went to an upmarket Hotel for a night cap (Irish coffee), and you would believe it but they ran out of cream!!! Oh well home to bed.
Day 20
Left Killarney early afternoon, and headed East. Stopped at the Jamerson Distillery, and had a few free whiskies. Very interesting. then travelled onwards to a place called Youhall, pronounced Yole, as the Americians would say it. Tiny town, but after booking into a B&B, we walked up the street and had a bit of a look. Found out there was a band playing down the harbour. After dinner, we walked down to see the band, Bog the Donkey!!! Well the wait was well worth it. They are a mix of tradional Irish and Rock, they were bloody great.
Day 21 (Saturday)
Our last day/night in Ireland. Drove to Wexford so we were fairly close to Rosslaire, where we were to get the ferry back to the UK. Found a B&B close to town, and luckily our room was on the 3rd floor!!! Didn't do a lot as I think we were both starting to wear down a bit from a big few weeks of Irish hospitality. Just went for dinner, and a few pints.
Day 22
Up relitively early so we could get to the ferry port first. And yep we did. Check out the photo on the photo page!!! VJ wasn't impressed. Got on the ferry at about 1-30pm, travelled to Wales, and lucky we got there early as we were the bloody last ones off!! Left Fishgaurd and drove as far as we could towards Brighton, and ended up staying in Bradford-upon-Avon, at the swan hotel. It was the hottest day we had for the entire trip. And it was the first room we had that didn't have some sort of cooling. Nice pub and people, but a little bit expensive for what it was.
Day 23
Up early, had our last B&B breakfast, and headed off to Brighton. It sure was good to get back onto decent road for a change. 80 mph is slow on UK freeways. Called into Stonehenge for a look, and to tell you the truth, we were both a little disappointed. I thought tis thing would have been huge, but it would fit on a good size house block. Got to Brighton just after midday, arrive at Brett and Deeds place, and as it was pub time we had a few cans while tring to get the washing machine to work. No luck so we went for a walk around the marina, and done a mini pub crawl back to the unit. That night we went into town for a meal, and ended up having fish and chipd on the famous Brighton pier. While we were there, and because it was cold, and because we'd had a few beers by now, we thought the best thing to do was to go on the wet n' wild roller coaster ride, as you do. From what Deeds, VJ, and Brett said, this ride was one of those that you don't get wet on. So I thought ok, I'll sit at the front. But apparently they had changed this ride for one that you actually got soaled on!!!! Yep you guessed it, mugins coped every bit of water, and was freezing until we got inside a pub. Left the pier, later on, and went back to the unit, and had a few more drinks before calling it a night.
Day 24
Bad hangover!! We got the washing machine going at last. Went and picked Deeds up from work and had lunch at a small country pub, everyone drinking soft drinks!! That night we went into town to watch the Euro 2000 semi, England V Romania. Good atmosphere, but bloody hot. The Poms got beat, gee they take soccor seriously.
Day 25
Bid Deeds, Brett, and Brighton farwell and heade North to London. With VJ's expert navigation, we manged to get right back to Dennis and Vanessa's place without a hitch. Had and early pizza dinner, then had beers and told of our travel tails.
Day 26
Up early, showered, shaved, packed the bags, bid Dennis an Vanessa farwell, and headed for Heathrow. We couldn't wait to get on the plane and the 13 hour flight to Singapore, not!!! Dropped the car off without a hitch, got to the terminal, done the old duty free shopping, got on the plane and headed for Singa's.
Day 27 (Friday)
Arrived 7-30am in Singapore, got a cab to the hotel, and went straight to bed. Got up in the arvo, and walked into Orchard road. Had something to eat at at the food hall under the For Floors, then went to one of our old watering holes, Pat's Pub, 3rd floor of the Ming Arcade, Cuscaden Road. Top spot, visit it if you go there. Then who should drop in but Judy and Rob!! Well we swapped yarns of Ireland, had a good old time with the crew at Pat's, and after about a million beers, and the wallet drying up, it was time to go.
Day 28
Now isn't jetlag great. We managed

Bare with me I will finish it!!!

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