God, it's hot! I'm assuming the UK weather is the same as here, not seen any TV news at all you see! Irish tv is rubbish and if we are lucky we may get the full 24 channels that are broadcast. Satellite is a must for Southern Ireland otherwise you may as well forget telly viewing at all. Good job we have plenty of films to watch and of course, there is always the standby of Cribbage.
Looking out of the window by 8.30am we were amazed at the sight that greeted us.
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| Royal Princess full of Americans. Must have been 40 coaches that arrived to take them on their excursions. |
Off we went to Spike Island this morning. A fascinating place which housed many a jailbird from 1800. So a very brief history first:-
Initially, the island was monastic but in 1789 a man named Charles Vallancey persuaded the Lord Lieutenant John Fame to allow construction of a permanent fortification. In later use and one probably best known for being a little Alcatraz, was the holding of prisoners and convicts ready for deportation to Australia. It remained a prison right up to 2004 and many of the IRA prisoners were also kept on the island. Also being a Treaty Port, and held by the British until 1938, it was then handed over to the Irish government. Afterwards, it was used by the Irish Army until 1979 and then by the Naval Service until 1985. Wiki has more on
this subject and I did take some of the text from this site.
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| Building to the left looks new but is actually the oldest building on the island as it was built as a church. Building on the right housed some of the prisoners. |
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| An archaeological dig was taking place at the prisoner's graveyard. |
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| My very own Leprecorn! |
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| prison couryard. Houses bottom R was the warden's accommodation. |
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| Exercise yard. |
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| Cork Harbour is a natural horseshoe shape and this one of two 6" guns were aimed toward the entrance |
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| Solitary confinement cells and corridors leading up to it. |
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| Prisoners kept like this in the transport ships. |
With only 3 hours on the island we had to rush the last few bits. So much to see and do and we never did get down to see the village, now unoccupied.
Back on the mainland and the tide had dropped considerably. Very wet steps under the pier were the only way back up.
Back at the Beast, we headed off toward Blarney. We found another Brit stop at the pub Waterloo Inn. Very strange place as it doesn't appear open. There has also been a steady stream of cars, vans motorbikes coming and going. All seems a bit dodgy to me. Even the Garda (Police) pulled in and then turned around. Hmm, I hope we haven't done the wrong thing by staying. The only saving grace is we are not alone. Another motorhome pulled in not long after us.
It's Blarney castle on the agenda tomorrow. Opens at 9am and very glad it wasn't today we had planned to go. Most of those coaches waiting at the cruise liner took those Americans there.
4 comments:
Hi Ian and Irene, pleased your'e enjoying Britstops, I find the very useful, just surprised you are naming them. They prefer you to just give the number so it stops non members trying to stop at the Brit stops, If you've received this months news letter from them they always put this PS in
PS: If you like to chat about your Brit Stops adventures on Facebook, Twitter, blogs and forums, could we please ask you to not mention the hosts by name, but by their number and a general description? Something like, "175, a really friendly pub in Bucks". Others cannot then take up spaces that real Britstoppers (i.e. you) could otherwise use, and it prevents hosts being put in a difficult position, which could lead to them dropping out. This way, while other members will be able to benefit from your comments (and you can benefit from theirs), details of the stopovers don't become common internet knowledge.
I thought it was in the code of conduct but it isn't.
Trust the good weather stays with, we enjoy your Blog.
Alan & Judith
Hi Alan,
It states very plainly that the Brit Stop book must be shown to the host to prove you are members. Every place we have stayed has asked for our book. Non-members are and have been turned away. Nothing in the book tells us not to mention the hosts name and as we don't receive a newsletter (I expect many don't)then they are at fault for not giving out that information in the book's code of conduct. But now that you have mentioned it I will still post photos but not the hosts name.
I agree with what you say, and have emailed him to suggest he puts it in the code of conduct next year.Newsletter is OK, it shows winner of months best photo (get free membership next year) Also gives list of hosts that have ceased ( normally pubs closing or being refurbished) Also new hosts and any changes eg phone nos, services etc.
Alan
I have asked Ian to subscribe and get the e-newsletter. Hopefully, I won't make any more blunders.
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