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A number of our viewers have been concerned about our perceived sheep fetish. In an effort to correct any wrong impressions, we present this picture. Actually these are not cows at all, these are the Irish Roads Departments attempt at traffic calming. When these things start stampeding in your direction you stop all right. Not very healthy for the nerves though. 
This is the medieval St. Lawrence Gate at Drogheda. It is the surviving 13th century barbican, part of the defensive city walls. 
Fisherman's Wharf Hotel where we spent the night in Drogheda. It will be a nice place to stay when it is finished. 
The Boyne river valley, rich in Irish prehistory and modern history too, has been largely turned into a vast heritage site. Some monuments such as Newgrange in the picture have been excavated and restored, while others (such as the Dowth Tomb the location from which this picture was taken) has suffered badly and been so damaged that the two chambers are too dangerous to enter. A previous landowner at Dowth dynamited it for roadfill. 
Newgrange - Many of the massive stones both inside and out of the tombs are decorated with rock engravings. Speculation has it that the symbols had set meanings, a language of sorts, this one could indicate the sun. 
Newgrange is designed to allow the Winter Solstice sun to enter the light box above the entrance and light up the burial chamber. This site was built around 3200 BC which is earlier than the pyramids or even Stonehenge. 
The lengths some people will go to, to get away from a boring tour guide! 
Knowth contains the greatest collection so far of neolithic passage grave art in the whole of Western Europe. 
This site has supported habitation until around 1400 AD. It consists of the main tomb and 17 satellite graves and mounds as well as Bronze and Iron Age, even Norman and Christian artifacts. The area is still under excavation and so only a portion is open to the public. Excavations are due to conclude in around 2 years after which the whole site will be open. The Normans built a motte-and-bailey type medieval stone castle on the summit of the main mound and this has seriously weakened the internal structure. 
Last of the High Kings at the (Lialh Fail) "Stone of Destiny" on the Hill of Tara. 
Pretenders to the throne - Karen and Seona - negotiating a shift in power, and losing. 
Grafton Street - Dublin taken from the safety of a shop window. 
The front gate of Trinity College. It was on this campus that the weary foursome rested while in Dublin. What a location, right in the middle of a wonderful, vibrant, noisy city. 
This is the Trinity Camponile (bell tower) located between Parliament and Library Squares. 
Building 40 - Trinity College, where the Fearless Four laid down their weary bodies by night. 
Killing time in a pub in Dun Loaoghaire waiting for another ferry to Dublin after a force 5 gale forced us to miss two earlier ferries. Here we met Denis (right) who was attracted by the display of technology at the weary travelers table. Denis couldn't stop telling us that he knew absolutely nothing about computers. His friend Chris on the other hand is in the business and was amused by our pretentious display. Hi guys. 
This is very basic accommodation, but it had the advantage of being open and available when our ferry pulled into Holyhead just after midnight. 
Portmeirion was great because the weather cleared so that we could take pictures in the sunshine. What a place! Something different hiding behind every corner and new vistas where ever you turned. Worth a visit despite the masses of tourists. 
This picture is unusual because it features Karen in an uncharacteristic pose. Both Karen and Seona had brought a camera with them, but neither felt obliged to use it, feeling that it would be overkill, what with Thatch and his digital camera and Jools with the 35mm both clicking madly at anything that did move, didn't move and every degree in between. Portmeirion was used as a film set in the 60's for a cult tv show called "Prisoner" and apparently Karen is a fan. Nuff said. 
The tv show is said to have featured giant beachballs in some unspeakable role. Now this picture of the footsore four and the fabulous five furballs is taken in front of the fountain in what was the town square in the tv show. 
Very photogenic is Wales as we zipped through, but the weather was against us. You will have to wait for photos of Wales until we return to the UK. Meantime, Kyrenia Guest house. 
The waves here were huge and the surf forecast was for 8-10 foot waves. All you surfers take note that winter weight steamers are in order. 
The story circulated in these parts is that this is the site for Camelot or at the very least the birthplace of King Arthur. Now if it is, then the castle remains on this rocky promontory are not. The ruins are 12th century and so much too recent. A few years back however, a grass fire uncovered extensive evidence of much earlier habitation. So who knows? 
This is the surf coast of Cornwall and of course we provide a video. 
These furry foot soldiers are guarding Tintagel from the hordes of would be souvenir hunters. When Arthur comes again, they will take sword in paw and ride by his side (in his saddle bag more like.) 
This may have been Merlin's Cave, but personally if I was a powerful mage, I would not have selected a damp cave at the foot of a steep and treacherous cliff, rather a nice and comfy dry one, easily accessible and closer to the pub. 
Everywhere in the British Isles and Ireland that we visited over the 8 weeks of our holiday, they were carrying out road works. This together with very narrow hedgerow lined roads, lots of traffic that you had to give way to, and rudimentary signage made for very interesting times and increased travel times exponentially. Add to the equation 'Grot shops' or for the more mild mannered 'antique shops' and you can see how our days blew out. Stayed at the Riggs B&B . 
Next morning we discovered Boscastle. Another National Trust treasure. Situated on the river Valency and with a deep water harbour which used to be in demand for the slate mines in the area. 
You may wonder why this picture is included. Before catching the plane at Heathrow we decided to make the pilgrimage to Luton and visit the Phil and Keith Sparrow Refuge. Sparrows are an endangered species in England (hey, they can have some of ours!) and so the lads are doing their bit by turning over their backyard to the preservation of Sparrow habitat. Such selflessness is encouraged, nay, rewarded by the British Government who have grants to assist in this preservation. Alas, the paperwork is so daunting, that it makes an ABN application look like a tea party. While in Luton we took in a county cricket match (it was the fatigue - and the promise of drinks) and you guessed it, there is a video. 
Back at Heathrow - the end of our trip. Karen, Jools and Thatch bid farewell to Seona who is staying on for a couple more weeks. |
| Last updated: 01/05/2001 |
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