Rosscarbery Ireland Sunday 02 June 2013

Ireland today and another early start!

Up at 03:30 when I could very easily have stayed in bed.

Only two pick up points in Liphook and Petersfield and then we are off on our way to Pembroke Dock and our Irish Ferries sailing to Rosslare.

It is mainly all motorway today until the M4 finishes and then the last hour is all A roads. Being a Sunday the traffic is very light and I could have left an hour later but am always wary of accidents and roadworks and would rather sit at the docks for an hour than chase my arse being late for the ferry!

Our ferry sails at 14:45 and the next one is at 02:45!

We have a coffee stop at Membury services on the M4 and then drive through to the very end of the M4 and Pont Abraham services for an early lunch stop. I don’t like these services very much as they are very small and get very busy but we are the first coach here so all is well. While I’m here two other coaches pull in and one of them is my friend Robin and his wife Kath who work as a team for Bakers Dolphin out of Weston super Mare.

It is funny that I haven’t seen Robin for years and then I see him twice in a month! We met on the ferry at Calais when I was on my way back from Bruges.

By the time we arrive at Pembroke, 12:45, I am very tired and ready for a rest. We have about 45 minutes before we are moved to the loading area so giving the passengers time to stretch their legs and visit the small terminal.

I sort the boarding pass out (one for the whole group) and then stand about in the warm sun in anticipation of a good crossing.

I am told by people that the Irish Sea is always rough and they wouldn’t go to Ireland by boat but I wish they could see it today. Also the ferries are massive and it would have to be very rough to have any effect. I have been to Ireland on many occasions and can’t remember a bad crossing.

This is why we go in June or July.

So if there is anyone apprehensive about travelling to Ireland by ferry don’t be it is great and you can always have a cabin for the crossing.

We have a security check on a couple of cases before being one of the first vehicles loaded. The passengers board the ferry by coach and then go up the stairs or lift to the main decks. It is very quiet today so there is plenty of space and as I say the crossing will be glorious.

I don’t see much of it though as I have a cabin up on the 9^th deck and spend most of the crossing asleep! Told you I was tired!

We disembark just before seven in the evening and then it is a twenty minute drive to our overnight hotel, the very comfortable Talbot Hotel in Wexford.

As we arrive there is tea/coffee and lemonade in the foyer as a welcome drink before our dinner at 20:00.

I make sure the group are settled in the restaurant and then I retire to the bar where I can enjoy a pint of the black stuff (it really does taste better over here) and dinner from the bar menu. All very relaxing.

The bar here is modern, as is the hotel, and is one of my favourites. It always seems busy and has a lovely atmosphere and the staff are fantastic.

My first Guinness is delightful and just sitting here is making me happy!

The England Brazil game is on the television so I half watch that (not keen on England friendly’s) as I enjoy a superb burger and chips. The high life eh?!

The bar is very busy with families and there is music on tonight but as is normal in Ireland it doesn’t start until 22:30.

Too late for me I’m off to bed.