Back to Ochiltree

Woke to a sunny day in Belfast and had a good breakfast again. Packed up and got a taxi to the ferry terminal in plenty of time to get the 11.30 ferry back to Cairnryan. 

Once again the crossing was smooth, possibly even more so than Tuesday. 

Lucy and Donald enjoying the crossing! 

The weather in Scotland was stunning when we arrived. Blue skies and sunshine!

We stopped for a late lunch at a garden shop at Ballantrae. Lovely spot with a large playground for children and a train!

The views along the coast coming back were beautiful. 

We stopped to take a picture of Ailsa Craig, the island of granite where they get the rock to make the curling stones. It was really clear today. Roger said the water was quite warm. 

Got back to Ochiltree about 5 to bright sunshine, a garden that needed water and millions of sweet peas for Lucy to pick. 

Wednesday, Belfast

We had a really good breakfast then got a taxi to the Titanic Experience. We were nice and early so not too many people around initially. 

It is such an amazing exhibition with loads of multimedia stuff as well as static exhibits. Shows the stages of planning and building the Titanic as well as descriptions of experiences of the survivors from the sinking. It took us about 2 hours to go around. 

On the deck! 

After the Titanic, we went outside and had a brief look. Saw the huge film studio where Game of Thrones is filmed. 

Then it was onto the Hop on and off bus to do the tour around Belfast- sometimes called the Bullets and Bombs tour as it takes you around the Falls Road and Shankell Road areas where the troubles were centred. We also saw the Northern Ireland Parliament building which is amazing and set in 26 acres of garden. 

Driving down the Falls Road was interesting as there are many murals on the sides of buildings commemorating the end of the troubles. They are amazing pieces of art that have huge significance for the Irish people. 

The Peace Wall was also interesting with lots of murals and significant quotes.

Had lunch in a mall over from the hotel, then found a pub for dinner tonight. 

Belfast

Tuesday morning

We got up early so we could get away by 9 am to get to Cairnryan to get the 11.30 am ferry to Belfast. It is a 2 hour trip and we had perfect sailing conditions. Lunch on board then we got to Belfast around 1.40pm.

We were able to get a taxi to the Hotel Ibis on Castle St and checked in by 2.

Got organised then went for a walk in the city. 

Some beautiful buildings here, surprisingly untouched during the troubles except for the Europe Hotel which was bombed several times because all the politicians etc from London used to stay there! 

This is the Town Hall and the photo does not do it justice. 

We found a wonderful deli with amazing food in it. 

Have not seen this flavour spread before! 

Decided to have dinner in the hotel as we were done walking anywhere else for the day. Nice meal too.

Leaving the ship and more!

After drifting in the Mediterranean for about 15 hours, we finally got to Civitaveccia at around 6 am on Sunday morning. 

We had packed our bags the night before and all we needed to do was walk off the ship with our hand luggage. We decided not to have breakfast on board to save us some time but as it happened, we had plenty of time. We had to wait for about half an hour for the driver to pick us up for our trip to the airport.

Thank goodness, it was not as fast as the trip from the airport and we got there about 9am. Our flight was not until 5.35 so we were not able to check in until around 2pm. Meantime we got some food and found seats that we were able to sit down in for our long wait. Little did we know but the waiting was again to go on and on.

After we checked our bags and did the security thing, we wandered through the shops to find our gate for departure. We found some seats there and waited again. The plane that we were to go on was late arriving to Rome, then we found there was going to be another delay - this time for about an hour or so, due to storms over France! When we got on board and the plane was ready to go, there was another delay of around half an hour. At least they came around and gave us water! 

Finally got off the ground on the first leg of the trip to Glasgow. We had to go through Amsterdam as it was a KLMflight. Actually the captain and crew were very good and explained what was happening at the appropriate time. When we were getting close to Amsterdam they actual told all the people with connecting flights what the status of those flight was. Some people missed flights and were placed on later flights or the next day while our flight had been delayed by an hour anyway so we were able to make it. As it happened, we had to wait a bit longer than we thought. Eventually got on the plane and off to Glasgow, where Lucy and Donald, affectionate known as “the in-laws” were there to meet us. By the time we got back to Ochiltree, it was after 1am and we had to have a cup of tea before heading to bed! 

Monday

A bit of a sleep in then breakfast and the washing. Good to get that done as it had accumulated during the cruise. 

Had a lazy day then a nice BBQ with Bruce and Russell and Ian and Shona, great friends of Lucy and Donald. 

Bed early as we had to get up early on Tuesday to catch a ferry over to Belfast. 

Cagliari, Sardinia

Docked here about midday today. We had free shuttle buses to the gates of the port as you are not allowed to walk around the dock area. Was a short walk to the town, but very hot, so we decided to do a tourist train around the “interesting” parts of the town. Just as well as we would never have walked up some of the hills! 

Sardinia has been occupied by many different foes over the centuries. There is an old Roman fort that was partially dismantled so they could use the blocks for building other things. 

It is quite a mix of old and new, but not as interesting as other places we have been over the last few days. More graffiti on building walls, rough streets, people parking at odd angles! 

We decided to go back to the ship after the trip  as it was very hot and humid. 

Roger on the dock by the Jewel of the Seas. 

Palma

We have just spent a delightful morning in the city of Palma. 

The cathedral here is amazing. It sits atop a hill overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and took 3 centuries to build. It has the most colourful stained glass windows I have ever seen. Gaudi’s influence is seen here too in the area around the altar. He designed the centrepiece which is quite amazing. 

There are little chapels along each side of the cathedral, some colourful and others quite somber. 

We then went for a wander through the old part of the city. 

It was very hot, over 30C. We decided to get back to the ship before we wilted away. Thank goodness they put on shuttles to get into town. Some brave souls decided to walk the 4km trip! Hope they did not get heatstroke before they got there! 

Barcelona

Arrived in Barcelona this morning just before 10am. It seemed like a long trip as we left Corsica at 4pm yesterday.

We had breakfast outside while the ship was cruising slowly up the harbour then took our time disembarking. We bought tickets for the shuttle which took us to the World Trade Centre at the bottom of the famous Los Ramblos. It did not seem like a long way as you could see the ship from where they dropped us off, but walking would have involved quite a hike over an uphill then downhill bridge as well as negotiating the traffic! 

We took our time walking up La Ramble as it is signposted and stopped to buy water then found a lovely cafe where we got a wonderful cheese sandwich made with home made bread rolls fresh from the oven, still warm, with freshly squeezed orange juice. 

Took some detours and found some interesting places and shops. One was a fabric shop with patchwork and other stuff. Found an apron with elephants on it for Max to wear when he helps his mum with baking. 

All the shops seem to be having sales here. Lots of bargains to be had at big name shops too! 

Found a Disney shop...

We made our way back to the top of La Ramble and a couple of department stores. Bought a gelato and sat eating it by the main square. 

Lots of comings and goings including buses to and from the airport. 

We walked back down to the World Trade Centre to where the shuttle was waiting to take us back to the ship. 

Completed my walking ring on my watch today, nearly 12,000 steps and still counting as you do a lot of walking around the ship each day too!