Ireland arrival

Friday 22nd March we ferried from Pembroke Dock (Wales) to Rosslare (Ireland). The weather had been bad - in fact the previous day's sailings had been cancelled, and we overheard one of the ferry dock workers saying he was pleased he wasn't going on the ferry! So understandably we were a little concerned as to how rough the sailing would be - but it was so ok that Ken slept most of the way!
On arrival at Rosslare we foot passengers were ferried to the terminal by bus. On the way we were stopped by the Garda (police) who checked all our passports. Ken and I were at the back and I asked, do we not get a stamp in our passports?
'Want a stamp?' says he.
'Yes please' said I
'How long are you staying? asked he.
'Three weeks' said I.
'Ok' said he, 'be back in a minute'.
Off the bus, into his office, and we waited, and waited, and waited......
I felt like disappearing into my seat, making a busload of people wait while the policeman tried to find his stamps.
We could see through the office windows he was obviously having trouble finding the stamps - looking in this cupboard and that drawer!!
Finally he came back with our passports beautifully stamped and stating that we had to be out of the country by 22nd April - a month.
When we left Pembroke Dock our passports were checked and then when we arrived in Ireland. Interestingly when we re-entered the UK nothing was checked - they obviously let anyone in!
I had emailed our B&B from the boat to let them know the boat was running late due to the weather but there to meet us was Jonathon and his trusty green mini car into which he managed to stuff us and our bags.
'Your website said 800 metres from the ferry' I said to Jonathon. 'Seems a very long 800 metres!' 'Well it is to the entry to the port' said Jonathon with a twinkle in his eye!
We were going to get well used to the Irish exaggerations over the next three weeks!!
That night we walked down to the local pub for dinner and Ken had his first taste of real Guinness - and he loved it!!

Rosslare Lodge

Our faithful wee VW Polo that we drove about 2500 miles (or was it kms??) around Ireland

The pub in Rosslare - yummy food

Grrrrr......

After a VERY frustrating 2 days trying to get everything booked - and twice I've thrown my hands up, dissolved into tears and said, I wanna go home!!!! - tomorrow we're heading for Ireland. Hiring a car from here in Basingstoke to Pembroke, hopping on a ferry to Rosslare - we hope, because there was a problem with the booking! - arrive in Rosslare where we will be picked up by a mini cooper from the hotel where we are staying for the night, getting another hire car in the morning and tootling off round Ireland - where at the moment it is snowing!!  What fun!! (as Miranda's mother would say) slap, slap....
So Sleepy Dwarf won't be getting  sleep in tomorrow!!
When I finally get the hang of this thing I will post some pics and more ramblings.

Canada

Brrrr..... it's cold!!!!!!
Had 3 weeks with James Mark, Michelle, and the 3 wee boys. Mostly just blobbing out which was really nice after my pre-trip stressing. (for those in the know, my body has settled down, but I had to consult a Canadian GP).
Think we saw the sun twice, once, a sunday, was so nice. We went to Coles Bay and met up with some others and the kids had a ball! Rowan decided to have a mud bath after he had found a really big starfish and Grandpa had found a really pretty purple one.
Met Sarah our lavender friend from Whidbey Island and had a lovely lunch with her in Sidney. Also caught up with Alan, another lavender friend near to Sidney, and took Sarah to meet him.
Michelle and I had a day in Victoria while her car was being checked out.
Other days we took Aidan to Mr Tubbs, where you use tokens to wiin tickets and then 'cash them in' for 'prizes' (ie rubbishy toys). took Rowan to the butterfly farm. Not many about though because of the weather. Went to the boys school a couple of days too and some days Grandpa went and collected them.
Had such a treat - got taken to the Butchart Gardens by Alan and Beth. In doing my family history research I thought I had found Alan to be a relative of Ken's. As it turns out he possibly isn't but we still wanted to meet up with them. Alan had worked at the gardens for 30 years and so was able to take visitors free of charge. Being winter we didn't think there would be much to see, but it was surprising - the bare trees were rather lovely.


Aidan making a leaf tile at school



Grandpa & Rowan going to Coles Bay

Rowan and the starfish he found at Coles Bay

Rowan after a mud bath at Coles Bay!

Grandpa with the boys