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UK/Ireland/France holiday, 2009

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(Week 2) Sunday 16 August 2009
We are leaving London today for Dublin. Got up early as usual and went for a walk east of the hotel to see more of the locality. We also decided to book here for the two single nights we need later in the trip. We managed the whole week without getting week.

Staggered up to Paddington Station with all our cases etc and hopped on the Heathrow Express. Arrived at Terminal 1, found our flight check-in machine and completed the required formalities. Met up with the main contingent of people from Down Syndrome Society SA, who were also on this flight. The flight was uneventful, but we experienced a rather bumpy landing in Dublin. Arrived at our Dublin Apartment, home for the next week, around 4:00pm. For some reason, we are in a different apartment block to the rest of the group, about 300 metres away. Nice and quiet, but difficult to mix with everyone else.

I organised an internet connection but it cost $75 for a week. And then it would not work till I bought a network cable.

These interesting tunnels at Heathrow Terminal 1 carried us a long way to the departure lounge. A random building from the bus as we headed towards our accommodation. The accommodation block on the left in Dublin (but not ours, overlooking toe Dodder River.

(Week 2) Monday 17 August 2009
Today was the only day Anne has to look around Dublin at leisure. Our accommodation is about 2km from Grafton Street precinct, so we started off by walking there the long way. We crossed the Grand Canal, and turned towards the Liffey River. Followed this to the far side of Temple Bar, meandered through the tiny streets towards Trinity College and then to the Grafton Street area. This is the main shopping strip south of the river

We spent a few hours here, then walked further west to the Cathedral District. Went into St Patrick's Cathedral for a look around and took some photos. Went past Christchurch Cathedral back down to the river, before walking through a different part of Temple Bar and the Grafton Street Mall. We started back home through Merrion Square and along the Grand Canal. I think it is still in use, but it looks rather tired. Only saw one canal boat. We managed a long day of walking without feeling too tired. We caught up with the mob briefly after tea.

The ststue of Molly Molone. There is a song about her ? ? ? Looking towards the business end of the St Patrick's Cathedral. It was old and had character, but it did not feel right. We passed through Merrion Square Gardens on the way back to our apartment.

(Week 2) Tuesday 18 August 2009
This was the big one. We were being picked up at 6:45am to get to the station for a full day organised tour to Northern Ireland. Arrived in Belfast at 9:45am and transferred to a bus for the four hour trip to the Giant's Causeway. We had a few stops including a quick look at Ballygally Castle (new in 1625), and at the village of Carnlough. Heading northwards on the Coast Road, we stopped at the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. Since we filled the bus, we decided to just look here because most on the coach would not tackle the actual bridge. We continued on to the Giant's Causeway, arriving there just after 2:00pm for lunch in the nice hotel.

We spent just over 2 hours here, and most people walked the mile each way to see this site. There was a bus for those who struggled. The return trip to Belfast was via the direct road and we arrived back in Belfast at 6:30pm. Because we cut the rope bridge short, we got a tour of Belfast lasting an hour. Fascinating and scary what was happening during 'the troubles'. We saw the major battle sites, the murals, the Peace Wall, and the heavily reinforced/protected police stations. For me, this was much more interesting than the Causeway. Our bus driver grew up in this area, and lost his policeman father during this time.

Hopped back on the train for a 8:00pm departure back to Dublin, arriving at 10:15pm. A great day.(and I have caught up at last with this diary.)

The rope bridge at Carrick-a Rede. Fisherman used to bring their catch across from the safe harbour on the island. Now only mad tourists use it. A small part of the Giant's Causeway. No room for the full story. One of the many murals we saw on the tour of Belfast. There were better murals, but it is not easy taking photos through a bus window.

(Week 2) Wednesday 19 August 2009
Today was a nice quiet day for me. Anne left at 7:45am to meet the taxi for those going to the Down Syndrome World Congress Medical Day. I stayed put to catch up on this diary, and other essential stuff. Not much but it took till nearly 3:00pm to complete it.

I then went out for two hours, and walked to the Grafton Street area again by different roads. There is lots of Irish stuff for sale but at rather high prices. Lots of people around, but I am told tourist numbers are down significantly, and we are not buying enough. Sorry but I cannot help! On the way back to the apartment, I called into a small Supermarket to stock up on provisions. A few young kids outside the shop questioned who I was - my suitably vague reply may have satisfied their curiosity, or confused them more. They did not pursue the matter or me when I left the shop (fortunately).

Anne returned in time for tea after a busy day at the Medical part of the conference. As well as the medical stuff, Anne and Vicki dropped into the first Symposium for and run by people with Down Syndrome. The photo shows some of our contingent chatting at the end of the day. This was held in the old Dublin Hospital.

The central courtyard of Trinity College in central Dublin A group of our young people at the end of their daylong symposium. The quadrangle of the old Dublin hospital.

(Week 2) Thursday 20 August 2009
Anne left at 7:40am to attend day 1 of the main conference today. I spent the morning booking next week's accommodation in Wales. It is slow finding places with a twin room available, but I managed to book through to Sunday 30 September. Next weekend is the August Bank holiday, so I am not even trying for a place in Minehead.

Around midday I left here and walked around the North side of the Liffey River. It was just as busy as Grafton Street on this side, and more shops etc to browse in. Got back here about 5:00pm, cooked a pre-made pizza for tea, but got engrossed in the news and burnt it. Oh well! Anne returned about 9:00pm.

The opening bridges that don't. They once provided access to the inner docks in the dockyard area. Now it is mostly built over. Henry Street on the Northside is a rather long Mall, full of people as usual. This large spire is visible everywhere. O'Connell Street was also busy. Lots of interesting and old buildings.

(Week 2) Friday 21 August 2009
Anne left early again for day 2 of the conference. I caught up my web diary then went out for the day. I purchased a Day bus ticket and my first stop was the National Botanic Gardens. It took an hour to get there; but most of that time was waiting for connections. I spent almost three hours there, before having lunch and returning to the city centre.

I then took the opportunity to walk west along the Liffey River to see the Old Hospital buildings and museum, and the adjacent formal gardens. On the way, I walked past lots of interesting sights and buildings. Had a look at the Heuston Railway station on the way past as well. Time was getting late so I caught the bus back to our apartment by 5:00pm. Anne arrived back soon after, and we visited the local fresh food market to pick up some tea. If we had been in the same complex as the rest of the mob, we could have gone with them to see a performance of Riverdance. I could have tried for tickets on Saturday night but it is no fun on my own.

The Botanic Gardens were very colourful in places. This specimen took me by surprise. I have seen it before but cannot remember its name. The facade of the great hall in the Hospital.

(Week 2) Saturday 22 August 2009
We slept in today because Anne did not have to leave till 8:45am. I spent more than three hours trying to get four continuous nights accommodation in Cornwall, with no luck. I will have to try single nights to see what I can find. I went out for a couple of hours after lunch for a walk and found the two large books-shops for a browse. Walked along different roads where possible, and photographed several streets of the old Georgian town-houses. Walked along the canal again, and decided it is not used anymore. Tonight, I need to catch up on this diary, before the ferry tomorrow. Anne won't be back till after midnight - the kids are performing their Rock and Roll routine tonight. Pity I could not be there.

The Dodder River at very low tide. An example of the rows and rows of Georgian houses. And another long row of houses.

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