Author: Ange Bowman

I live in Sydney with the love of my life. Work to travel and thrive on learning new skills and about new places. My interests are technology, cooking, agricultural shows, horse racing, photography and all sports. A mother of four grown children who have provided me with six amazing grandchildren (so far).

The Giants Causeway and Southward Journey to Eniskillan

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We decided to have a bit of a rest this morning and didn’t have breakfast until 9am.

Called everyone at home via Skype (only way to go with wifi access) or least those we could. After breakfast we set off to find the Giant’s Causeway in our first wet day. It was showering when we arrived at the causeway but it stopped raining for the time we were actually down at the causeway.

Not good for pictures but never the less it was well worth seeing.

After a spot of shopping in the gift shop (grandma at it again) we set off south via Londonderry and wound up for the night at Fort Lodge Hotel in Eniskillan. Hotel is very comfortable but we are all gasping, as with everywhere else we have stayed the heating is up very high.

It was the same in America all the hotels and stores are overheated. At least we can open the window in the room.

We had a very nice dinner in the bar and Ian had a couple of Guinness’s. Tomorrow we head to Limerick

Scotland to Northern Ireland

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Back online after few days Intenet mostly available but didn’t access for a few days(withdrawls). Will upload a number of days notes from Ireland now

Set off from Dan and Jeanette’s after a very hearty cooked breakfast. Drove to Stranraer to board the ferry arriving at 12noon and ferry due to begin boarding at 12.30pm.

We had to wait in the holding area until 1.15pm then we boarded in a very organised and orderly fashion. We booked the premium fare which gave us access to the premier lounge where complimentary tea coffee, juices and snacks were available.

We were able to order lunch which was very nice. I had internet access so was able to catch up on email banking etc while we made the 1hour 50 minute journey to Belfast.

We arrived in Belfast and we had disembarked before 5pm and set of in a northerly direction after a driving through Belfast city centre for a look. We found a very nice hotel at Ballymena no dinner needed after latish lunch on board.

We turned in early as has become the usual for us. Heading to Giants Causway tomorrow, our driver is holding up well.

Enskillian Northern Ireland to Limerick

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Set off for as far south as we could get today and we were aiming for Limerick with a stopover for lunch in Galway. Rained on and off today but the scenery was still very interesting. The rain let up long enough for us to have a look around Galway city centre and coffee in a shopping centre. Mum did some shopping and we were on our way again. Arrived in Limerick at about four pm and booked into the Two Mile Inn just outside the main town area. It was very comfortable and reasonably priced. No WiFi. I am having withdrawals. Tomorrow we are planning to get to Killarney but via the Cliffs of Mohor which will mean a back tracking a bit.
Din;t visit any major sights today just driving to get as far south as possible or we will run out of time

Glasgow and Loch Lomond – Snippet of Scotland

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We decided to take a drive to Loch Lomond and then come back to Glasgow for the day. Using the GPS we set out via the back roads to the Loch. It snowed, rained, sleeted and was sunny, that was just the first half an hour, it continued this way all day.

We saw some very beautiful country and drove up over the Duke range and back again. I can’t believe there were so many people out hiking; I thought it was a Dr (DeCourcy) thing, apparently not. Still not my cup of tea I prefer the sights as we drive by.

We headed back to Glasgow arriving at lunchtime and parked in the city centre with ease. After lunch (we knew we would regret it tonight) we set off to look around. The have a huge shopping centre in the mall with countless shops. Most of the shops are same as at home but it was nice to look around just the same.

I am surprised at the number of American stores such as GAP and TGI Fridays there are in Great Britain. At about 3pm set off to find the car, it good job one of the three of us has a sense of direction, that’s all I can say. Arrived home again at 4.30 in yet another flurry of snow but it was not a cold as yesterday. After another beautiful meal and it was time to sort out the bags for our journey to Ireland tomorrow. A
ll in all enjoyed our visit to Scotland. Albiet just a small snapshot- we will be back…..

More time needed to go further north next time

Edinburgh – Easter Sunday and Jorja’s 2nd Birthday

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After a lovely breakfast with our hosts we set of for a day in Edinburgh.

In 40 minutes we were parked in the centre of Edinburgh. We caught the Hop on Hop off bus to see the city and t

he sights. The buses are such good value and really allowed us to get to see as much as possible without too much walking. After the first circuit we did some shopping in the main shopping area and made some great purchases.

Sharpie went from heater to heater in the shops as it was very cold and his gloves and scarf were keeping his bag company at home.

After a coffee and bacon sandwich we boarded the bus again only up the top this time so we could get better pictures.

 At 3pm we set off home via Forth of Firth Bridge. Arrive back at Dan and Jeanette’s at 4.30 in time for another three course meal. Oh the food….

Stoke on Trent to Hamilton Scotland

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After an enormous English breakfast compliments of the hotel we set of towards Hamilton. The trusty Tom Tom was our guide. We decided to detour sightly and have a look at Blackpool.

Blackpool is a great holiday destination in the summer. It all side shows and games arcades along the water front and on a cold spring day it seemed somewhat dreary but there were still a lot of people wandering around enjoying the sights.

The ocean was brown and Surfers Paradise it is not. We spent an hour so wandering around and then drove the length of the beach and back again.

We set off again in a northerly direction. The traffic was much better and we had a great run through to Hamilton arriving at Dan and Jeanette’s at about 3.30pm. After an enormous 3 course dinner compliments of mine hosts we turned in early.

Heading North to Manchester Area, heading for Scotland

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Ian had booked a car to take us to Heathrow to collect the car. We had a terrific run as I was expecting loads of traffic being Good Friday.

Collection of the rental car was easy and we were in the road within about 30 mins of arriving at the avis desk, this included a 15 min ride on the avis bus to their car depot.

We set of with the trusty GPS and without any trouble we were soon motoring north.

At 11.30 we arrived in Oxford, found a park and a coffee. The wind was howling but we still had a wander around they had a street closed off due to Good Friday and there were street shows and a people everywhere.


Back on the road at 1.30pm we struck a bit of traffic on the M6 around Birmingham otherwise the drive was okay.

We struck more traffic at Stoke on Trent and as it was almost 4pm we decided to find a hotel. No trouble with the GPS straight to a Holiday Inn. Dinner and Breakfast included so a good deal.

Dinner very nice and we had all turned in by 8pm.

Day five and last day in London

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Looking over the spoils
Our Home in London
Best Western Earl’s Court

This is our last day in London as we leave tomorrow and head for Scotland.

With reports of snow and holiday traffic this will prove interesting.

The View from the Eye

After breakfast we set out on the No 74 bus to Harrods. We spent the next 4 hours browsing around. My favourite part was as usual the food halls. If it is edible it was there. After returning to the room for a short break we set out in drizzling rain to catch the tube to the London Eye, we were booked to take a ride at 4pm.

How good is the underground? It leaves City Rail for dead on every count (Sorry Mark but it does). We alighted at Waterloo station and the eye was a short walk away. I quickly retrieved our tickets at the voucher exchange desk and in a matter of minutes we were boarding.

Even on a dull showery day it was worth it. I loved being up at that height but Sharpie waited until we were almost up the top to tell me he doesn’t like heights much. He spent the whole ride sitting very quietly on the seat in the middle of the pod. I don’t think he was too keen on me leaning right over near the glass to see how high we were.

After our half an hour ride at less than walking pace we left our pod to return to terra firma. Back to Waterloo station and home, stopping off at the Italian restaurant we ate at few days ago for dinner. Today was a good day and not too tiring. We were still early to bed but not ridiculously so like yesterday.

We will be offline for next few days will post again when I next have access. Happy Easter!!!!!

Our fourth day in London.

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Today we set our sights on seeing Royal Mews, Buckingham Palace, Wellington Arch and Winston Churchill Museum/War Cabinet Rooms returning to hotel early afternoon for a rest.

Caught the underground from Earls Court to Hyde Park Corner walking around Wellington Arch gave a sense of its actual size. Walked to Buckingham Palace and watched people arriving for a reception. We set off around the corner to Royal Mews.

They were due to open at 11.00am so it was coffee time while we waited the 30 minutes until opening. We enjoyed this tour but it was a bit disappointing there were only two token horses in residence and no real activities taking place.

I expected it would be business as usual with the usual work taking place of any stable with training, cleaning gear, doing boxes and preparing horses for the day. There was just a display of the various carriages and their history.

Bad timing on our part the Australian Coach (John did a lot of the leatherwork) was on official State duties carting the French President around at Windsor. We were disappointed not to see this in its home but may try and come back on our last day before we fly out.

After the mews we headed for the War Cabinet Rooms via Westminster Abby, we didn’t go in but walked through the grounds.

The War Cabinet Rooms were very interesting and I really enjoyed seeing and listening to the commentary. Churchill’s Museum was also interesting they have collected so much information and memorabilia this man who started as a war correspondent then becoming Prime Minister who saw England through World War II. After the museum we headed for the Westminster Tube station and home.

Stopped for the best pizza at little place near Earl’s court tube station. Home for arrest by 3.30pm. May not be able to post anything for a few days depending on Internet access as we travel.

London – Getting to know you!!

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 London – Getting to know you!! 

First to breakfast again this morning, early to bed early to rise. It is good to have place to ourselves to savour the breakfast and the peace of the morning before setting out.

Today the plan was to finish of our hop on hop off tours, then on to St Pauls Cathedral and the Tower of London.

The Hop on Hop off bus we caught near our hotel took us down past Harrods on through Piccadilly Circus (again very familiar with this area now) and up to the British museum and the Russell Hotel (expected the Adams family to appear at any moment).

As we passed Marble Arch the Queen’s Guards came riding through on their way to the Palace. We were stuck in traffic on the bus but in a perfect vantage point. It must have been 3 degrees outside but most of the horses were clipped.

Changed to yellow Hop on Hop off bus and continued through the Westminster area and crossed the river before heading back across adjacent to Houses of Parliament then on up through Fleet St to St Pauls. Wow how impressive is the dome …no pictures allowed but this didn’t stop some people. Mostly Americans maybe no photos stand for something else in USA. Visiting the ladies room in the crypt seems a bit unusual but when you get the chance ‘you go’.

Boarded our first double decker bus (No 15) which transported us to the Tower of London. Tower of London was interesting there is only so much you can say about very very old stone.

I enjoyed watching the video on the Queens coronation mum said she was at boarding school in Armidale when this actually took place. We boarded the underground to return to Earls Court station (nearest our hotel) Arriving back in time for early dinner at an Italian restaurant. What can I say the food was sensational!!!!!

We are only eating morning and night no need for more than a coffee during the day. Another early night even by my standards.