My name is Marion Vermazen. I am a traveler, hiker, reader, Sun alumnus, computer geek, YouTuber, Spanish and French language student, knitter, weaver and genealogist.
This morning, in Galway, we walked to a nearby bus stop and caught the bus about two and a half hours north to Ballina.We are staying just outside of town at Belleek Castle Hotel. The building is a manor house that was built between 1825 and 1831.
Waiting for the bus in Galway this morning.One of our bedrooms
When we arrived in Ballina this afternoon we went to the grocery store and then called the hotel and asked them to order a cab for us. After more calls and waiting over an hour the cab never came. A very nice man came out of the grocery store. We had been standing there when he went in and he asked us if we needed help. After we explained he offered to drive us and our bags to the hotel and eventually we arrived.
This morning we went to the Galway City Museum. The museum is about the archaeology, history and science of Galway. The museum was excellent.
Inside the Galway City MuseumThere was a very interesting display about all the medical technology that is developed and manufactured around Galway. Galway is a Global Medtech Hub.
Then we want for a great walk along the water. The River Corrib runs through Galway.
The view as we walked along the water.
On our way back to the hotel we checked out some lovely woolen goods in one of the many stores here that sell woolens.
Do you like my hat?Sweaters in any color.
For dinner we had a cheese board and wine at Trieste Café & Wine Bar.
This morning we walked to the train station in Dublin and caught the train to Galway on the west coast of Ireland. Before we left we had some breakfast at a nearby coffee shop.
My sultana scone and coffeeOn the train to Galway
In Galway we checked in to our hotel then went exploring.
On High St. in GalwayWe saw lots of well stocked and interesting music stores.
Finally we enjoyed playing cards.
Playing cards
We ate dinner at the hotel and listened to some live music. We are staying at the Harbour Hotel.
Today was a busy travel day. We left the hotel in Alcalá de Henares at 7. Then we filled the car with gas and drove to Madrid airport terminal 1 where we turned in our rental car. Next we took a shuttle to terminal 4, checked in, rode a train out to the terminal four auxiliary gates, and got to our gate with time to spare.
The flight to Dublin was about three hours. From the airport in Dublin we took the Dublin Express bus into the center where we are staying at the Temple Bar Hotel. As we walked up to the hotel Roger and Gayle walked up from the other direction. They had arrived in Dublin a few hours earlier. Our rooms weren’t ready so we they gave us coupons for free drinks next door.
It was great to catch up.
Next we went out and walked around a bit then had some lunch. Each couple shared a shepherds pie. They were delicious.
Guinness while we waited for the food to arrive.The shepherd’s pie.The pub we ate lunch in.
For dinner we had fish and chips at Leo Burdock and then walked around, enjoyed some of the live music and explored a bit before calling it a night.
Leo Burdock’s fish and chips.One of the live music venues we stepped into.