The tour so far (14/09) – Day 7

So, here we are sitting in Port Issacs in Cornwall having a beer and waiting for our f n c's! Mmm, its hard being on holiday!
Well, this time last week, we were sitting in an empty flat waiting to depart at a far too early time.
So, the first point of call was Cork, at 8am in the morning on a Monday. First impressions were good, and they did improve. :) We caught a bus into town that stopped outside our hostel and we managed to off load our packs there. We then went on a walking tour of the city, with another random kiwi couple (who had been living in Cork since January). Small world! Learnt more than we ever needed to know about Cork from our guide, who was defineitely enthusiastic! Def had to concentrate to interpret the accent though!!!

We went to Cobh (pronounced 'cove') the next day. Which was fascinating. Tried to do some family research for Dad there as the Wightman's set sail (along with about 3 other million Irish people) from there. However, we didn't manage to find much. Heaps of info on convicts to Aus, but the poor kiwi Irish are under represented.

Wednesday saw us go the cheap way to Blarney Castle. That is, on the local transport bus and paying the fee in, which is half the price of a tour bus!!!! And it was very easy to do. However, this was where Alex termed the phrase 'Direland'. This was due to the immensely crap weather. It rained. Then it rained some more. Then our umbrellas and jackets starting leaking. And still it rained. But being the stingy kiwis we are, we battled on. No way I was wasting that money! And the castle was all the more authentic for the cold dampness. Really.
Back to London that night and staying in the Hilton (a splurge!). It was bad. As Alex says, just like the family. All show and no substance. Look hard and it was appauling. Less said the better.
Thursday saw us back to Stansted and trying to hire a car. WE ended up with a Seat Leon. Apparently it is just like a VUW golf. Alex reckons its more like a Fiat. All good.
Drove west towards Bath. Stayed in a LOVERLY little village of Corsham, where we had the bestest cheapest pizza ever, and a nice coffee. Also the amazing miracle of a post office with attendants at every window, and NO QUEUE!!!!!!! I was shocked to say the least!
Drove into Bath, which was easy. Parked up and walked about. Spent hours at the Roman Baths, amazing!!!!

Then we had a Sally Lunn bun for afternoon tea. Loverly.

Then it went pear shaped. We tried to get out of Bath. Appaarently, it is not all that easy. So, an hour later... we were on the road to Wales. Stayed in Mumbles, at a place with Harbour views. I liked Mumbles. The weather was great, Alex named it Warm Wales. We went to Oystermouth castle to have our collection of castles. It was well worth the £1 entry fee. Nothing like ruins to stumble over!

(the view from our window!!!)(the tide was out, but it was sunny and warm)
(our car on the beach at Weston-Supermare, a detour)

After that we decided to head back to England. Onto Exeter where we finally found somewhere to stay on a Saturday. Ended up being rather nice, with a bathroom bigger than some rooms I have stayed in! Sunday morning we headed about the city walking along the old Roman city wall, most of which is still intact. Again, the weather was FANTASTIC! Sunny and warm and loverly.
Finally, we headed out of the city and onto here, Port Isaac. Where you really do not want to drive a car about. The roads are TINY. I think I almost had a heart attack. And those like us (annoying tourists) meander along the road forgetting that they are actually for cars. Sigh.
Never mind.
We have a great BnB thanks to Alex. Amazing views, and breakfast bought to our room. Little seats in the window to watch the sea and the people walk by. I love it.
Well, thats all for now. Not sure when we will be able to post this, wireless internet is a little hard to come by in this little village.
See you all.
P and LX.