Liverpool Day 2 - Beatles Musuem

This is Liverpool's Albert Dock (pictured above). It was a unique design back in the day, because built without wood, it was non-combustible. Today, it has been redeveloped with a number of attractions, including The Beatles Story.




The Beatles Story naturally enough tells the story of the band The Beatles through an audio guided tour, Liverpool of course being their hometown.

This is a replica of The Cavern Club where The Beatles were discovered (pictured above).

The Beatles Story is one of the highlights of any visit to Liverpool, and 'a must do' for any Beatles fan.

FACTS SHEET:

The Beatles Story
Britannia Pavilion Albert Dock, Liverpool, 01517/091963
Hours:
10am to 6pm
Website:
http://www.beatlesstory.com/

Liverpool, United Kingdom

We are in the famous port city of Liverpool, the people of which are called Liverpudlians. It's the fourth largest city in the United Kingdom.

40% of the World's trade used to pass through it's docks, and the wealth generated from that trade resulted in many fine buildings around the city.

Perhaps the cities most famous son's are The Beatles. This is The Cavern pub where they got their start (pictured below).

Ferry from Dublin to Holyhead, Wales

It’s about a twenty minute drive to Dun Laoghaire Port. We take the turn for the Stena Line Ferries.

At the checkpoint, we quote the internet order number to the attendant.

“Just the two of you then” He casually asks, and then we are directed to one of twenty odd lanes. We take our place in the line. There is a vast assortment of vehicles; motorbikes, cars, campervans, buses, and trucks waiting to take the voyage.

The process of embarking all these vehicles is extraordinary. Fluorescent vested staff, direct the vehicles on board like seasoned traffic police, squeezing the cars in nice and tight. Unfortunately we were one of the last to board, so all the seats were taken. We had to pay 15 English Pounds each to join the Stena Plus Lounge, which provides more comfortable seating and complimentary food and drink. This lounge is available as part of a more expensive fare, but has the advantage of express boarding and disembarkation.

We are on the Stena HSS Explorer, which is an express ferry that takes only about two hours. A long white wake is generated by the powerful engines as the ship carves through the sea. However, the sea is calm today, and we have a swift, smooth trip.

Then, the amazing disembarkation process takes place. Amazing because the cars are packed in so tight, and the task is so swiftly and expertly done.

From the Port of Holy Head we drive to the Tre-Ysgawen Hall, Country House Hotel & Spa in Capel Coch on the Isle of Anglessey.

This is one of the best hotels we have ever stayed in. Words just don't do it justice. A gem. I wish we could of stayed a week here, but tomorrow we are going to Liverpool for two nights.

FACTS SHEET:

Tre-Ysgawen Hall Country House Hotel & Spa

Capel Coch Llangefni Isle of AngleseyLL77 7UR
e-mailenquiries@treysgawen-hall.co.uk

Cork to Dublin

The drive from Cork to Dublin takes about three hours, driving along the motorway most of the time. We are back staying at the Premier Suites. Just for the night, for tomorrow we are catching the ferry back to Wales.

Blarney, Ireland

Ireland is an interesting concoction of the past and the present. We hum past cute stone cottages, neatly trimmed gardens, and are immediately struck by the monstrosity of a gigantic shopping centre around the corner. Neon lit service stations, convenience stores; all seem incongruous with the constant reminders of the past.

Twenty minutes later we arrive at Blarney Estate, which sits on about sixty acres of beautifully maintained parkland. There is a real sense of serenity here; a silence, broken but for the sound of a trickling stream.

Ten minutes later we arrive at Blarney Castle. It’s not your classic castle that you think of from your fairytales. This one is more of a vertical large tower, or stronghold I think they call it. There are about one hundred twisting steps to the top where the famous Blarney Stone sits; promising whoever kisses it will be given the gift of eloquence, the ability to ‘Blarney’ in fact. The ritual involves a person first lying on their back, and then putting their head back to kiss the Blarney Stone (pictured below – where the gap is where the stone is situated). Louise's lips smacked the stone.

Blarney House (pictured below) is a striking mansion on the grounds, still used as a family home by the lucky owner's. Sections are open to the public part of the year.

There other interesting places; waterfalls, wishing steps, etc. This is called a Dolmen (a sort of stone tomb).

You could easily spend a whole day here. Some families brought picnic lunches, and let the kids go wild.

We drive onto Middleton - about half an hour from Blarney. Then, onto Shanagarry. A feature of driving in almost any town in the UK or Ireland is the heavy traffic. You can be in the most miniscule out of the way village, and be reduced to a crawl, whilst you snake your through the narrow roads.

Our destination is the beautiful seaside village of Ballycotton (pictured above)

The lighthouse squats about 2km from the shore. In the old days the Lighthouse Keeper's kids would have to row to school.

FACTS SHEET:

Blarney Castle
Blarney, Ireland
Telephone: 00 353 21 4385252
Fax: 00 353 21 4381518Email: info@blarneycastle.ie

Cork, Ireland

Leaving Dublin on a sunny day we took the motorway south towards Cork. Their freeways have a sensible 120 kilometre speed limit. Unfortunately our hire car’s speedometer is in miles, so we first had to do a maths problem just to find the right speed. On top of that our GPS unit was putting us in a paddock about five hundred metres from the freeway.


Needing fuel we selected an exit, and found ourselves in a small village, with a tiny service station. The price of a tank left me gasping - 62 Euros! A dithering old man, wearing thick coloured glasses, pants pulled up too high, was trying to process an Asian couple’s credit card, frowning in concentration. ‘This new fangled technology’ I could imagine him thinking. Finally managing to work the machine, he then forgot to put the oil they had also bought, and the whole task started again. It must have taken him a good five minutes. Thinking, we’ll starve to death before he manages to do my card, I ran out to the pump and went back inside to pay the cash. Damn, the phone’s ringing now.


“Excuse me sir, we are in a hurry can I pay cash.”

“Hold on” He drawled in his Irish brogue, and then went onto to have a conversation on the phone.

“Look I’ve got the exact money.” I said exasperated pointing at the pump.

He looked at me blankly like he had had no idea I had just fuelled up.

Thinking that was bizarre experience, we went back to the highway passing those famous rolling green pastures of the Emerald Isle. There’s not much traffic on the road (perhaps they can’t afford the price of the fuel) and we’re making good time.


“Go Harvey. Go Harvey. Go Harvey Norman.” Burst onto the radio leaving us startled. It was the exact Australian advertisement read with the Australian accent. Who knew that Harvey Norman’s reach extended even to Ireland.

Now our day got even more bizarre when we arrived at the Radisson Hotel, Cork and there opposite the hotel was a Harvey Norman store.

After checking in we had a quick look around Cork, before returning to the hotel. The light was poor, so we haven’t good photos for you today.

Tomorrow we are off to Blarney Castle.

Dublin, Ireland

The ancient city of Dublin is built around the emerald River Liffey. Under a grey Irish sky we took the Citysightseeing Dublin tour. As we have said before it's these tours that are the best way to get your bearings, and learn interestings facts. For instance 46% of Dublin is under 26 years of age, making it the youngest city in Europe.

This is the Wellington Monument - the second largest obselisk in the World.

O'Connell Street is the main street marked by the famous giant needle standing proudly in the middle of the road. Apparently the sculpture was the winner of the competition.

After one lap of the bus route we stopped at the Guinness Storehouse, part of the sprawling Guiness Storehouse. There is a great view over Dublin from the bar at the top, where you will receive a complimentary glass of Guinness.

We visited Kilmainham Gaol where many of the Easter Uprising rebels were executed.







Dublin have a public bicycle rental scheme (pictured below)

We spent three nights in Dublin, just relaxing. After a long road trip we just needed a few nights rest in the same place.

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FACTS SHEET:

City Sightseeing Dublin
Hop On-Hop Off bus.
2 day ticket - 16 pounds

Holyhead Port to Dublin

Holyhead in Wales is a major port handling about 2 million passengers a year. There are two major ferry operators; Irish Ferries and the Stena Line. Today we caught the Stena Line 1.30pm service. It's a quite a production. You drive down into the port and are directed to your lane by a staff member. We arrived early, because we didn't wish to miss the ferry, and relaxed in the cafe, whilst we waited for embarkation.

Boarding the ferry we are directed again forward down a lane onto the ferry proper and guided in close to the car in front, I guess to fit as many cars on as possible.

Now, when I mean a ferry, I'm talking about a huge ocean going vessel. It's like a small cruise liner with restaurants, cafes, and cinemas.

The journey took about three hours. It was a smooth ride, we had a good seat in one of the cafes and the time passed quickly, surfing the web on the Wireless Internet.

The ferry took us right into Dublin Port, which was not far from our hotel.

I would recommend the car ferry. There's no waiting around at airports, or baggage restrictions, and once your embarked at your destination you simply drive away to your destination. Too easy.

Stena Line
Website: www.stenaline.co.uk/ferry/