flashman181

Good nights sleep in what is a quiet hotel but as time goes by you see where they have cut some corners and service is poor. Breakfast was ok but not organised at all and all self help including tea and coffee. The room is warm as simply not a strong enough AC to cool it down. The pool is closed “ Thanks for your Understanding” Oh, I didnt realise we had a choice in the matter ? The towels are thin and at 2 pm on second day room still not serviced . Doesn’t help have basically been sick now since I turned 60 last Saturday . Which leaves only one question really

This morning was fairly casual with plan to walk to Camden to look for some Winehouse stuff and then onto Churchill War Rooms. We have our dinner at Dans Le Noir tonight – the blind Restaurant ! The first walk was longer than expected and did go via Baker Street. Camden does look like an interesting place but had a very poor coffee there

By now it was time to test out using our iPhones to pay for Tube rides. Worked well in the end. Got off near the war rooms so had a look around Downing Street etc on way. The rooms were very impressive indeed and could spend hours in there. You know if you were a nerd with no life.

When we came out we found we were not far from Buckinghuge Palace so why not. Men in uniform and all that . Then onto Piccadilly before catching Tube back to Paddington for some lunch at Smiths Bar and Grill. I had the ribs, I may not recover

So we had actually played typical tourist without really trying. London is a very expensive place of course and it’s tres rude to charge to use public rest rooms. Very quiet afternoon now before our rather interesting dinner. Tomorrow we have lunch booked at The Shard but were also hoping to go to the Sky Garden but sadly it is like a School for Virgins. That is, no open slots all week. 🤓 Maybe everyone takes a long jimmy in the garden rather than pay for privilege?

Well Dans Le Noir was certainly an experience . Started off great, sat next to nice couple and first course and surprise cocktail were great . Then second course came quickly along with a nice wine and all going well. Then the raucous Sheilas arrived eh and could no longer hear yourself think let alone talk. Then there was about 30 mins between second and third courses . Still sick, trapped in dark with obnoxious women. Like my worst nightmare . Or Grade 12 Formal. We had gone with the White Degustation – shellfish and meat – and 3rd course was a lovely rich dessert but even Blind Freddy knew moscato in the dark! Yuk. So, it was a worthwhile if expensive night out but totally unique and memorable . In the end we had some crocodile and reindeer even

Next time would also ask for the deaf option

So , a long day beckoned. The Ashling was an impressive hotel and a good choice given it was done in 3ms. Quite room and great breakfast . Flight was due at 1300 and as has been case all along with BA the mobile options for checking in etc are useless so little Anal Annie thought we need to be at airport in plenty of time. Taxi booked for 0900 as probably at least 30 min drive

Taxi arrived at 08:45 . No traffic. We were tarmac adjacent just after 9 am! So we start the check in process and of course not simple. Our names are on flight but don’t match e ticket. Wait 20 mins for the one operator who can fix this who is taking20 mins to deal with one customer! Then it happened. “ Hey handsome, would you like to get on an earlier flight”? Well call me Chauncey and show me the way . In a double bonus for CLP we couldn’t sit together! I got 35 F which is where they would put the second roll of toilet paper if needed. Literally the back corner. So the flight was due to leave at 10:30 but of course delayed until 11:15. No sweat . The “ flight” is nominated at 90 mins from go to whoa which allows for getting off ground and getting to gate at Heathrow. Actual fly time is only 50 mins. Still we did not arrive until after 1 pm and then bags took at least 30 mins. Heathrow is your basic nightmare. We had prebooked Heathrow Express which is a great service

Now I had joined Accor as a member and as such had booked the Novotel at Paddington for a good price . This gave CLP much pause which turned into much grief for moi given the reputation Paddington as a bit of a hole. I had done my research though and the hotel is in a revamped area and had requested a high floor. The windows are double glazed and cannot hear a thing , not even a bear wandering the hallways

Then it was time for a walk around the area . It was cool and grey but quite pleasant . Had a coffee first up and even a lamington. There is an area nearby called Little Venice and there is a far canal with boats on it. Walked to Kensington Gardens but we were a bit shaggus by now and Princess Di was still dead so back to hotel as looked like a good bar with some great share plates. And a happy hour at 5 pm every day. It was only when we sat down we realised it was only just after 4:30 pm! After 15 mins of looking at my sad face the bar tender gave us the cheap drinks

Ah so share plates are not for one 😏

All in all not a bad day in the end . Hopefully we can relax next few days, get better, and stop having to deal with a new contingency plan every few hours

I couldn’t Bear it in Paddington as well

So , plan today was to train it down to Waterford and back as trains supposed to be “ back on track” at 0900. They are not and so our plans lay shattered on the floor like a smashed 14th Century Ming Dynasty Chamber Pot. Oddly here at Rosquil breakfast only starts at 0900 on weekends or as we call it back home – lunch! Thus on the good news front we do indeed get to have one last full Irish breakfast here . Little optimist me .

Like a snowball rolling down a hill gathering abandoned rail tickets our plans are also of the rolling variety and likely to change as day progresses. First update is

0800 – have booked pm train to Dublin and a hotel in Dublin thus forfeiting our last night in Kilkenny. We now await Irish Rail update at 10am to see if in fact train is running . I feel like I am in prison and certainly have the Blues, just hope I hear that train a coming soon or I may just have to shoot a man

What a fookin nightmare . Everyone directs you to check online. Online keeps saying another update at x.xx . It comes and goes with little helpful info especially for foreigners who strangely enough don’t know every hick town in Ireland. Very annoying Bus Iran ( yes deliberate nickname ) take nonrefundable bookings online for routes that will never run. With no updates easing our minds decided to walk down to station having already told our host we are leaving today. It was closed

Bloody French! So a group of 3 Frogs were also there with luggage and Tony the Taxi boy was doing hard sell on them. They also needed to get to Dublin. By now we were told no trains today. He would take them for 170 Euro. I suggested if we could get a maxi we could share cost . Oui. Tony only take 4, we needed 5. No other taxi company would go so didn’t feel like we could take the taxi ourselves and leave Frogs behind. In meantime Tony decides he just spoke to mate near Dublin and he wouldn’t get there by taxi even. Take us back to B&B then please. On way back he says” I may have someone who would do it, let me check” Back at B&B and I smell the old taxi shim sham happening . He gets out of cab, makes phone call , or at least pretends to, and comes back and says he will do it but it will be 220 Euro. And what is your cut Tony? Look we were getting ripped off but at this stage past caring. We had been frugal last few days and just wanted to get out of Kilkenny .

Good run up to Dublin on Highway but streets are dodgy in the city . We made it though and the Ashling looks great once you get past all the people sitting in lobby with suitcases!

As luck would have it only a 10 minute walk in the slush to The Brazen Head, home of the worlds best Irish Coffee. Or so we thought . It was crap this time and only cost us 400 Euro to get there 😰 Had a nice Guinesss stew at least and then time to head back to room

So, today’s particular version of Hell on Earth was drawing to a close . Once again if we had not been proactive and walked to train station and met up with Two Taxi Tony we would probably still be in Kilkenny. Mind you we havent left Dublin yet . Snow has finished but very cold and a bit wet so roads a mess. Still have to get to airport let alone board a plane that is still leaving

What possible new joys could tomorrow bring ?

I checked. Not one time was The Beast from The East implicated or even questioned. No surprise really because so far it’s been a bit of a pussy . Now those words may come back to bite me when sitting on a tarmac on Sunday afternoon with a shovel in my hand but as with many of these “events “ there has been overkill. By all means close down transport, schools etc for public safety but stop trying to justify it with 24/7 reporting of some idiot standing in the snow with a microphone. Let you in on a little secret. We were walking the streets of Ghost Town after 4 pm curfew yesterday and if an ice cream shop was open I would have gone in . There has been snow overnight here and will likely continue today . The problem for us hearty visitors is because of the red alert in place businesses just shut down for two days so doesn’t matter if I went nude cycling into town later , no shops are open. Maybe a pub though? At least the news would have something to report “ That’s not a bike pump. This is a bike pump” #crocdundee4

So plans for the day are casual to say the least . First up though will be breakfast at 0800. Still rather sick sadly and no surprises as still sweat during the night and then wake up with damp PJs and not just in the nether regions.

Time to venture out into the neighbourhood or at least 100m up the road to Newpark Hotel for a coffee. Very swank looking place with a great bar for future reference . And the cricket is on!

Then back home for a Brains Trust meeting. Sadly it was poorly attended. We booked a train to Dublin on Sunday as well as Bus is a bit hit and miss. Mind you if we have to use train making the flight will be tight and we will be trying to change to a later one same day . Irish Rail is good with cancellations so let’s hope Plan A goes ahead on Sunday – 0725 bus to Dublin Airport and catch 1 pm flight to Heathrow. Now time for some lunch kindly provided again by hosts – split pea soup . Perfect

Back out in the light snow in afternoon for a walk into town and search for that elusive second great Irish Coffee. Failed miserably but did see some great sights including Kilkenny Castle but of course everything is closed

There were quite a few people around and cars on street although conditions were a bit tricky . We finally dropped into Matt the Millers bar on the river which was a great looking bar but very ordinary Irish coffee

Then it was time to head home and get out of the weather as now seems CLP has caught the dreaded lurgy . Have no idea how . Maybe when I sent her out to do the washing last night ?

Tomorrow we may do day trip to Waterford depending on weather and trains . Hard to fill in another day in Kilkenny methinks

After all we have already made an impression here

No wonder a person can’t get well. So we did have a taxi booked to take to train at 6 am this morning . He rang last night and cancelled . So started the walk in the snow at 5:30 am. It was -8 degrees, real feel -19. Surprisingly no one else was on the streets. Not sure wheels on luggage will have survived. Anyhoo we made it in time, had a hot chocolate and boarded the train

So at least we will make it to Dublin which is something . At present they say our 10:15 train out of Dublin Heuston to Waterford is last one running today so fingers crossed still is . If we get to Kilkenny we will look back on this and laugh one day . If we don’t then reflection may be more harsh. Walking the streets early in the morning in rather harsh conditions made me feel like the 5th Yorkshireman . Someone had licked road clean and definitely was a paper bag in the road

Ok so we didn’t make it to Dublin. Stop start trip had us at least an hour behind schedule and we would miss connection to Waterford. Or so we thought. So helpful conductor suggested we get off at Kildare some distance south of Dublin and catch our next train as it passed through at 10:41. Getting off train just after 10 am this seemed a good idea and it was . Just not the day for trains running on time. The train to Waterford left Dublin over an hour late – ironically we could have stayed on train and relaxed in much more comfortable Heuston station then the outpost Kildare is

Train finally arrived about 70 mins late and it was crowded. Still at last Kilkenny was in sight . We will now be closer to the dreaded 4pm whiteout get off the street curfew blizzard blowout and still need to get to our lodgings with no taxis operating and at least a good 20 minute walk . And find something to eat and maybe a few supplies for the next 24 hr lock down

There actually were taxis operating so could afford to have lunch in town, very passable Chinese. Most shops closed . Arrived at Rosquil and looks a lovely place indeed. Our room is spacious and at the back. And there is a bath !

Given Armageddon was not happening anytime soon thought may as well have a look and a walk around neighbourhood in case tomorrow is a wipeout. Plenty of churches and some quirk including an Elvis fan house

So what could have been a disasterous day turned out ok with some proactive actions. Once buses in doubt didn’t hang around, went straight to train. No taxis, no sweat . When we were obviously running late on first train asked about our connection and he organised the stop at Kildare . Realising we may struggle to get out tonight for dinner asked our B&B host about options and she came back and said she would cook something up for us

Apparently my charm even works over the phone 😏

Flashy weather rule #1

Snow today – good
Snow tomorrow – bad

Woke up to the lovely sight of snow on the ground. Down for hearty breakfast before venturing into town with the last words of host “ beware the blizzard “ ringing in our ears . Any plans for Cobh sank like the Titanic when all rail service there cancelled and nothing to do with weather .

The cold was getting worse by the hour but what can you do. Go out in freezing weather of course. By now though the sun was out and almost went back for sluggos but then remembered had been in a fair paddock of late 😏 We played in the snow , had a coffee and then decided to take bus to Blarney before that was cancelled.

Pleasant trip out to a very beautiful little town. The castle of course is a rip off but did get my first Seniors Discount. Asked if wanted to see my ID and she said no it’s fine. Smart ass bitch😉 Beautiful day for photos still and did climb right up to top and as no crowds and did kiss the Blarney Stone. And of course there was scaffolding 😰

Bus back to Cork and then had an Italian lunch and picked up salads on the way home for dinner as not going out again with blizzard approaching😏 In the meantime where is that sunburn cream Dear ?

Back home for weather update and not good. Red alert – highest – for tomorrow from 4 pm. All buses cancelled . We quickly booked a double train trip via Dublin leaving at 7 am in morning! If that is cancelled we are screwed. At present trains will slow after midday and cease at 2 pm. With any luck we may be in Kilkenny then and it can do what it wants

Cold is at its zenith with both nose, throat and head all joined in.

Shoot me now

Will be sad to leave the luxury of The Lake Hotel and indeed Killarney itself as feel we are finally in real Ireland . Of course am sure Cork and Kilkenny will be equally engaging, weather dependent. The Beast is still tracking but we should get today’s bus trip out of way before it does and then worry about Thursdays on Thursday . It’s a new approach to life I am trying but hasn’t really taken yet 😏 Coughing up a lung all morning doesn’t help. One last healthy breakfast it is then.

Bus left on time but was crowded and was a slow but shortish trip. Cork is a much bigger town then I realised . Luckily had notified hosts we would arrive early so was able to get to our room before midday and then have some tea and scones. Looks a nice room

Headed out the front door under nice sun – and a light shower of snow. Amazing, gone in a minute but lovely. Then we walked into town center stopping by St Finnbars on way and then into English Market for some lunch at Farmgate Cafe. A beer could not be far away and sure enough just down Mutton Lane there was an Inn.

Cork is divided by a river and thus plenty of bridges to see and cross. Went across other side to see if Butter Museum was open as word of its appeal had spread far and wide. It was closed so went to the Franciscan Well Brewpub instead

Time to head home then for a rest and a quick look at the University of Cork just across the road. Impressive place. Will duck out later for a quick dinner but nothing really appeals at present . Another light snow flurry at 4:30 pm. Thinking maybe day trip to Blarney or Cobh tomorrow

Surprisingly slept ok despite the asshole next door with TV on loud late into night and then snoring . Not often you hear snoring from next door. Then our doorbell went off at 4:45 am. Prank? Fault ? Who knows. Of course once up then the coughing and headaches start again. Not sure what it is but clearly not well as sitting here sweating in short shirt and CLP under blankets with dressing gown on 😏 Going to be a long day on a bus

Breakfast at 8 and then pick up from lobby around 09:45 returning to town around 5 pm. That is plan anyway but who knows with our recent record with trips. Simply glorious start to the day and another healthy breakfast. When u feel crap easier to eat less

Have to say CLP really showed me this morning why I let her tag along. The way she got 5 days of washing into one laundary bag was amazing. No self laundry facilities for guests so have to pay for them to do it. Guess it gives some Sheila a reason to get up in the morning eh 🤓 It it doesn’t come back clean tonight we could be a spot of bother .The tour is reasonably priced – maybe a warning sign so in keeping with our carefree approach to the green stuff in the green isle we paid an extra 10 Euro each for premium seats. Time will tell.

They say the third is the charm and they were right. Perfect trip, good driver small group, great weather , no crowds. First stop was Red Fox Inn which is a tourist trap with production line Irish Coffee. Rating 4. There was also a Bog Village which CLP visited and said was life altering . I like my life so went back to the pub

Back on bus for drive along some stunning coastline and through quaint villages on way to lunch stop at Waterville which was a fave holiday place for Charlie Chaplin it seems. Had a very good lunch at Dooley overlooking the water – Guinness beef pie.

Continuing along ROK started to climb into mountains for some more stunning views camera cannot do justice too and then back down into Steem for a break

We did see Skellig Island of Star Wars fame way off in distance but you may just have to take my word for it

Continued on to Ladies View before final stop at Torc Waterfall. Cloud was coming in now but had been a Magic day

We bid our driver and group good bye and headed into town for early dinner at The Porterhouse – we had been trying for 3 days! Massive meal and some alcohol of course meant it smart move to walk home

A great tour on a great day and my cold had stayed away

It hit again big time 4 am this morning. On bus to Cork Today to meet Beast from East front on. There can be only one winner

The Beast from The East is still on track so could be last day before temperatures plummet a bit further. Now this is old news/whine for regular viewers but give the central heating a rest folks. Went to dinner last night and it was unpleasant in a short sleeve cotton shirt! You walk in from a blizzard to a furnace . Let people dress to conditions and if they can’t work that out then it is Darwin’s theory in practice. This out the herd, oxygen wasters the lot of them .

Good nights sleep actually because set the AC to 17 degrees! It seemed to balance the central heating of 40 degrees so we ended up around the a level of about 24 👍. Officially a bit full as a goog after a good week in the paddock so looking for a quieter day eating and drinking today . The tempataions of full buffet breakfast shall be first test . Likely

Being Sunday I took my readings from the scriptures and resisted all temptation. The spread looks impressive but still two days to go. For now my new mantra is #prunesrule

Then plan is to walk out front gate and turn right not left. This should put us into the Park and onto Muckross House. Some exercise and fresh air to start the day . Primary goal today is to apply my first Seniors discount . First stop was the Abbey before continuing onto house. There was a Seniors discount but you had to go on an hour long guided tour through 306 rooms. With old farts . Pass. Instead just did the Seniors Maze outside and only took 58 minutes

It was a good walk but the prospect of retracing steps again over 2.5 k did not appeal. Instead we got a taxi into town for any last souvenirs and lunch . Sadly nothing opens until 12:30 for lunch so checked out St Mary’s impressive cathedral before trying our luck with another Irish coffee. Using Brazen Head as a 10 and Lake Hotel as a 1 this was a 4 . Think they throw in too much whiskey, too little coffee and not the right cream

Our very helpful taxi driver had recommended The Ross hotel for lunch so rocked in. Sadly the fancy restaurant was closed but we had some heart attack pub grub and a cold beer. As luck would have it though this was the location of the famous Gin Pink Lounge so we hooked in with Humphrey and Coco. Had the place to ourselves and it was great

It would seem I am sickening as often happens on holidays . Have the hacking dry throat . Suggest it is because of the fucking temperature nazis and mixing with great unwashed which luckily don’t do often. Walked home and hopped in the outdoor hot tub again and then a restful afternoon. Will be room service dinner for this Little Black Duck. Have the Ring of Kerry bus tour tomorrow so no doubt spread some good cheer along with germs. Now it is an old joke but I do like it . The brochure for Ring of Kerry looks promising

I made it! Just hope it was the toilet, it’s a big suite

So the big 60. Good nights sleep despite the obvious excitement of a day packed with being spoilt rotten by CLP and waking up to lovely messages from family and friends. It is indeed a good life . CLP has outlined the day ahead and methinks I am glad I have my trakkies with me. Breakfast served to our room, a massage at 9am, stroll into town for some morning tea, maybe a jaunty cart ride depending on weather , stay in for lunch and then scout a quiet pub for the 6 Nations – yeah right – before home for Champers and Cheese before a lovely dinner in the stunning Castlelough restaurant on site. I may not make 61 folks

The “beast from the east” has not arrived just yet but good to see the weather folk here get over excited about any changes to expected weather too . Looks like a progressively colder week ahead and maybe even snow . Bring it baby . We won’t escape it in Cork or Kilkenny either

https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/meteireann-snow-ireland-weather-forecast-12078154

The Beast from the East ain’t met the Best from the West yet. Or it could just be that mail order bride I ordered weeks ago. You know what Australia Post is like

Got some lovely presents from CLP of course including some fantastic Bluetooth earphones and some new cuff links . Even my very own Lake Hotel Bath Robe as a momento. Family have also arranged various ways of me spending their money

Breakfast was massive and delicious . The chocolate covered strawberries a treat indeed. Time for my massage and then brave the outdoor hot tub which was surprisingly pleasant. Then time to dress like a tourist and blend in

First up a stroll around the hotel grounds

Usual pleasant walk into town as beast still at bay at present and had a couple of coffees before a rather excellent jaunting cart ride out to Ross Castle. Yeah maybe tourist stuff but was great fun with a very friendly host and a clever horse. Luckily Rusty behaved himself

Then into town for lunch. Our selected restaurant was closed so will head back for dinner tomorrow night. Instead we had some simple fish and chips at Scott’s and a beer just for a change . The crowd was building up for the big game and there was a beer garden set up ready to go. Then I had one of those non Senior moments and remembered I don’t like Rugby. We headed home and had a rather poor Irish Coffee back at Lake Hotel. Stick to proper pubs in future. Still, plenty of imbibing still to come

Back in room and rather appropriately for a religious place like Ireland the Holy Trinity was laid out before us. The Champers cooling in the ice bucket, the cheese maturing before our eyes, and my waistline expanding. The champagne and cheese were excellent of course and must say the Lake Hotel has been brilliant so far. Yes we are in expensive room – but not ridiculous – and CLP has paid for some stunning extras today but they have also chipped in with touches here and there with the most appreciated being a lovely print of the Lake and Ruins which I will certainly frame when I get it home. Hopefully in one piece . The luggage is expanding like afore mentioned waistline .

The Champers and Cheese followed by a sit down meal was probably a bit much but only young once. Entrees nothing special but the main meals were good

It has been an amazing day in a wonderful country and as Lou would say