Golfing Ireland

Dave & Deb pictured above at Old Head Golf Links  Kinsale, Ireland
One word - BEAUTIFUL!!
* Old Head Golf Links - we were constantly in awe of the views, it was hard to concentrate on the golf. Most holes were 400 feet above the Atlantic Ocean and going after a wayward shot was NOT an option (Deb only lost 1 pinkie). We thoroughly enjoyed the round with Jim & Pat McKissick from Muncie and our 4 caddies.
* The K Club - if ever a golf course reflected the personality of its architect, it is surely the Arnold Palmer design at the Kildare Club. It is a spectacular course even at 9:30 in the morning after a heavy night's rain. Not only was she host to the 2006 Ryder Cup match, but Big Break Ireland as well. BUT, following Charles Kelley, band member of US country-rock group Lady Antebellum was a treat as well!
* the North Coast - (Portrush) one of the BEST courses Ireland has to offer, Portrush is home to 2010 US Open winner Graeme McDowell & Darren Clarke (no sightings though) and the recent Irish Open.
With stunning views, this links course should make your MUST play list.

WE'LL BE BACK!

Dublin & Liverpool

7/11  Dublin Mostly cloudy  7 am - 6 pm

Dublin City was built at the mouth of the River Liffey and originally named Dubb Linn, the Irish for "black pool". Ireland at a glance:
Approx 27,135 squ mile ( approx W Virginia)
Population 4,156,119
Official language -  English. Although you REALLY have to listen to understand
Currency - Euro
City Highlights:
Trinity college & The Book of Kells
Guinness Brewery Tour
St. Patrick's Cathedral
Malawide Castle
DID YOU KNOW???  The familiar lion who roars politely at the beginning of every MGM movie was born at the Dublin Zoo in 1927?  BET NOT!!

Now to report on "THE golf match" - the K Club is located west of Dublin City in Straffan, Ireland in a beautiful resort with a course designed by Arnold Palmer and host to the 2006 Ryder Cup challenge between the US & England. Let's just say the match between D & D is tied at 1 -1 :)

7/12    Liverpool, ENGLAND         Mid 60's       8 am - 6 pm
"You'll Never Walk Alone"  Mantra for the English Football (soccer)Team
Meaghan, Guide            Peter, Coach Driver
Our day tour took us out of of the city to Northern Wales. Home of famous names such as Tom Jones, Richard Burton, Charlotte Church & sheep!
The beautiful green country-side is doted with white specs... sheep are 4x the human population. We were treated to American-born Guide Meaghan. The "adventure tour" gave us an overview of this stunningly beautiful & lesser-known part of the U.K. We left Liverpool, a city of 1/2 mill and founded in 1880 most famous for The Beatles!!
As we "ferried across the Mersey", it was onto Snowdonion Nat'l Park , where we were treated to some of the BEST views of mountains, lakes & valleys. A glimpse of Mt. Snowden at 3,570 ft was brie4f from our coach.
then for lunch, we found the "capitol" city of Bet-a-ct-wold. A fish &chips lunch with a pint was extremely likely.
An afternoon stop was the Ponteysllte Aqueduct, an 18th century construction by Thomas Telford.
Sheep - did I mention was saw sheep?? 9 million!!! However, only 1 in 2,00 is BLACK!!
the day was amazing for touring the west coast of England & Wales.
Other facts:
Liverpool was the home of Cunard Lines, and of course the BEATLES!!, 2 Liver birds, Christ the King Cathedral & Chirk Castle.

Isle of Guernsey & Ireland

9 July     Mid 60's   Mostly Cloudy   7a - 2 pm
St. Peters Port, the capitol city of the Channel Island Guernsey has been a busy seaport since Roman times. Famous immigrants include Victor Hugo in the mid 1800s when he penned such works as Les Miserables.
On this overcast 1/2 day stop, a tender from the ship delivered us to downtown shopping, cultural walks, the Millennium Tapestries, a 1582 Craftsman Barn, Cornet Castle or the German Occupation Museum documenting such occasions the June, 1940  evacuation of 1/2 of the island's population and most of the children for safety. Mostly, our bodies are STILL trying to adjust to GMT + 1 and the 40 degree change in temperature that we left Thursday.

10 July Cobh / Cork Ireland    8 a - 6 pm
Mixed sun & clouds   SHOWERS   Mid 60's
Cork, originally Corcaigh, literally meaning swamp or marsh, lies at the mouth of River Lee. The largest natural harbor in Europe, Cork became a significant port on the southern coast of Ireland. Nearby Cobh boasts the base of the British Navy and the final departure of immigrants on both the Lusitania & the Titanic.
Nearby Blarney Castle gives visitors the opportunity to kiss "the stone" bringing a nimble tongue.
A drive to the quaint fishing village of Kinsale, with its cobbled streets and gourmet restaurants is a treat.Just another 10K further is the famous Old Head Golf Links where a foursome may have been treated to stunning views AND a heavy shower! Which DH  was low medalist?
We are wishing traveler Celesta D a very Happy Birthday!
Night life on board ship may be taking in a show, dancing, karaoke, the casino OR a movie on deck. 
EXHAUSTING! Miss Daisey (photo unavailable) may even have a suitor:)
Cheers,
Deb

Saying Goodbye to Christos & Timmy

Since arriving Friday morning, the High Street Travelers have been in the wonderful hands and care of escort Christos (originally from Greece) and Driver Timmy (from Kosovo).
Driving rural English roads in a mini-bus is a feat all in and of itself, but having a professional and experienced driver is worth millions!
Christos has entertained us in The Cotswolds and now we must say caio, or "until we meet again".
THANK YOU both for your wonderful care!  Oh yea, Miss Daisey thanks you too:)
dh

CARIBBEAN PRINCESS Sails from Southampton, ENGLAND

We are ALL aboard and ready to enjoy all that cruising the English & Irish channels has to offer.
Among our 3,500 BEST friends, we will be treated to amazing food, spa treatments, 3 meals a day PLUS..
AND did you know that movies at sea are possible? Sitting in my chaise lounge, maybe with a favorite beverage and watching MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 3 - Ghost Protocol is QUITE the experience:) LOVE IT!!
Miss Daisey is having quite a time also. She misses her friends back in Muncie, but with the opportunity to kiss the Blarney Stone - she is extremely happy!
Bon Voyage,
Deb

Weary Travelers Arrive, Windsor Castle & The Cotswolds

Friday, July 6

GOOD NEWS - we've arrived safely in England! No delays, but southern England has RAIN, RAIN and more RAIN:( Maybe we'll bring some home as souvenirs.
Queen Elizabeth open her weekend home, WINDSOR CASTLE to us for an afternoon tour.  The oldest & largest occupied castle in the world, the sprawling home is also a museum, fortress and state reception venue. After checking into our hotel and enjoying a group dinner, we headed to bed - our first rest in over 36 hours.

Saturday, July 7
Settled in southwest English countryside, The Cotswolds has beautiful villages, narrow roads and sheep. An unexpected but delightful stop was St. Peter's Parish of Winchcombe. Nearly 550 years old, she is graced by a weather-cock from a Bristol church since 1874 that sits upon the tower.
Set in the backdrop of the Cotswold Hills, we visited Sudeley Castle which is steeped in history of Henry VIII and his wives. With royal connections spanning a thousand years, it has played an important role in the turbulent and changing times of England's past. We also enjoyed the amazing Hidcote Gardens and estate of horticulturalist Lawrence Johnston.

Travelers Ready to Fly Across the Pond

STONEHENGE,  ENGLAND
Twenty four High Street Travelers depart this Thursday for a unique itinerary sailing around the British Isles. Our journey begins in the beautiful English Cotswold's area.

Fri   Jul 6   Arrive England & Tour Windsor Castle
Sat  Jul 7   Tour Hidcote Gardens & Sudeley Castle
Sun Jul 8   Visit Stonehenge & Salisbury Cathedral. Transfer to Southampton and
                 Embark the  CARIBBEAN PRINCESS
Mon Jul 9   Guernsey Island                       7 am - 2 pm
Tue Jul 10  Cobh, Ireland                          8 am - 6 pm
Wed Jul 11 Dublin, Ireland                        7 am - 6 pm
Thu Jul 12 Liverpool, England                   7 am - 7 pm
Fri  Jul 13  Belfast, No Ireland                   8 am - 6 pm
Sat Jul 14 Glasgow, Scotland                    7 am - 6 pm
Sun Jul 15  SEA DAY
Mon Jul 16  Invergordon, Scotland           7 am - 6 pm
Tue  Jul 17 Edinburgh, Scotland               7 am - 7 pm
Wed Jul 18  SEA DAY
Thu  Jul 19  LeHavre, France                    7 am - 8 pm
Fri   Jul 20   Southampton, England     &     Fly HOME! 

Please keep our group in your thoughts & prayers. Follow the updates as they come.....