We have had some considerable advance warning of Bill's visit to Ireland on 24th June for a holiday.

They arrive in Dublin 17.20 on Saturday 25th June and are staying in Dublin overnight.

Sunday they have a pre arranged holiday for the week that brings them from Dublin to Killarney [2 nights there] some other places and then Thursday and Friday night at Ashford Castle. That's about as scenic as you get.

Saturday 1 July brings them back to Dublin and overnight in Dublin until Monday 3rd.

Proposal is a meet up Sunday 2nd July but possibly take an outing as they won't be on Ks or have bike gear.

They will be in Dublin Saturday night. The return from Ashford Castle to Dublin will be leisurely so at the moment not sure what time they arrive in Dublin.

Sort of an opportunity to view a few places and since they are staying Dublin docklands I made a suggestion of open top bus or even better the DART coastal line as a chance to see the entire oft he bay in one. Bill enjoys sailing in Sydney Harbour and Dublin Bay is a good call there. Lots of places for a Sunday lunch and a stop for ice cream or whatever. Much will depend on weather closer to the day.

I did put forward some other suggestions but Simon in his kindness on Bill's previous visit had apparently led him astray feeding him some funny black liquid and fish and chips. Must have been good as he is bringing his wife this time.

I have organised to head up on either 1st or 2nd. I have passed Bill my email address and also phone number but PMs here go to my email address anyway.

Oops! I must have miscommunicated with Olaf.  

We actually leave Dublin on Sunday 2 July, flying at 10:45am.

We are doing a bus tour labelled "Irish Elegance". Not sure how well I fit that description, though. Definitely long distance aspiration for me.  

We fly in to Dublin on Saturday 24 June, but sadly too late to catch up and show my ignorance at Magda's. Airport 17:10 + getting off plane + getting to Dublin + checking into hotel.

Saturday night: Inn on the Liffey

Sunday night: Clayton Hotel, Dublin.

Monday: travels start, overnight 2 nights at Killarney Plaza Hotel.

Wednesday: Travelling with Bing Crosby to Galway Bay, 2 nights at Connemara Coast Hotel, Furbogh. (I think. Itinerary says Furbo, but thats on the south side of the bay and I can't find a Connemara Coast Hotel there.)

Friday: The most elegant place for Mr Unelegant, Ashford Castle. Had to bring a jacket for 2 months away from home, just for this one night!

Saturday: Back to Dublin, Clayton Hotel

Sunday: Fly back to Luxembourg Airport. Flight time 10:45

Tour details:  here   Tabs for specifics.

I'm guessing the best get together times will be:
Sat night 24 (See times above), Sun morning 25. Pretty much to a bit after lunch, I'm guessing.

Likely to be able to meet up at Killarney and Galway, timing depending on tour activities.

Ashford Castle likely out - I'll need all my concentration trying to pretend I'm elegant.

Saturday 1 July, expect to be available from early afternoon. 
Sunday morning will be getting clear of breakfast, packing and the airport.

Such a warm welcome from Simon, Olaf and the Eccentrics 2 years ago, I had to come again, bringing Lynette. Tour isn't the ideal for flexibility, but as tours go, this is more flexible than most. Also has many things Lynette wants to see.

Weather was lovely last time. Hoping for the same this time.


Bill

Bill

In some ways timing is better, especially for Saturday 1st July and I will be trying for that one.
But Sunday June 25th could be good for those near Dublin.

Connemara Coast Hotel is definitely there. My sister had her wedding reception there.....and I was there. It's on the northern side of the bay in a lovely location looking across at the Burren which also conceals Craggy Island.

I will post up more later.
It would be great to find a means of getting you both down to Magda's especially as the Luxembourg to Dublin flight is relatively short you won't be suffering jet lag.

Olaf

92 KK 84WW Olaf wrote:I did put forward some other suggestions but Simon in his kindness on Bill's previous visit had apparently led him astray feeding him some funny black liquid and fish and chips. Must have been good as he is bringing his wife this time.

Well Simon is a very good host and Dublin is a grand place to enjoy a few scoops of the black stuff. Does Bill need a more compelling reason to return with Lynette and show her the attractions of the place?

Born Again Eccentric wrote:Well Simon is a very good host and Dublin is a grand place to enjoy a few scoops of the black stuff. Does Bill need a more compelling reason to return with Lynette and show her the attractions of the place?

Not in the slightest. 

To be fair, Simon did give me the choice of the Guinness or Jamison exhibitions. I'm definitely more of a beer than spirits man, though mostly wine wins over both. To my knowledge, limited wine growing in Ireland, and certainly nowhere near as well known as Guinness. 

Bill

92KK 84WW Olaf wrote:It would be great to find a means of getting you both down to Magda's especially as the Luxembourg to Dublin flight is relatively short you won't be suffering jet lag.

Olaf

One of the strange things is that our flights both directions go via Munich! Definitely not jet lag territory, but longer than the directs I had both ways last time. These were the best available to work with tour times, though we still had to come a day before the start to not miss it. Also the cheapest, despite more than double the distance and flight time.

Bill

Crap, crap, crap. With both bikes up sh!t creek there's no way I can make it down - I'm really sorry to be going to miss you this time Bill.

Dai wrote:Crap, crap, crap. With both bikes up sh!t creek there's no way I can make it down - I'm really sorry to be going to miss you this time Bill.

That must be my excuse for a third visit. 

I suppose the only good news is that the Delkevic exhaust system for the Bandit arrived yesterday, the gaskets arrived today and the RamShock is en-route via DPD for arrival tomorrow. The bad news is that all the moths in my wallet have left home for lack of food.

Bill

Which Clayton Hotel in Dublin, Cardiff Lane?

I have a very important delivery for you and probably make sense to go for Saturday July 1st.

I will see what we can do for the 1st July.

Dai might even be back on the road then.

I did have a wild thought that you and Lynette should walk around to the train station and do a Saturday day trip to Belfast ON THE TRAIN!! Its also a very scenic route.

The Cardiff Lane version. I didn't know there was another one.

Bill

Plot is hatched to meet Bill and Lynette in Blarney today. Bjorn and myself are going along to Christy's Hotel/Blarney Woollen Mills car park for 1pm.

Gaz and Ruth did this trip one time.......

So a nice one.

If anyone is around and wants to come along feel welcome. Spoke to Corkboy but work prevails. Bjorn on day off and I asked myself for a half day.

Found these two reprobates at Blarney today.   (Makes a good set of 3 reprobates. )

A great pleasure to see them again after a gap of more than 2 years. Thanks for taking the trouble to find us on our travels.

Also heard some first hand reports of the workshop day at Magda's last Saturday, including good food, good Kompany and some strange, strong and unpronounceable drink.

Bill

Hi Bill

I am around on Saturday if you have a few hours, we could maybe meet up for a few .

My wife may well come along as well.

I am not sure if the other Eccentrics have anything planned.

Simon

Time has tightened up from the tour point of view, but a brief meet up at maybe 4,30pm could work. I'd be delighted if it's possible. 

Bill

Had the pleasure of seeing Simon again this afternoon and meeting Hilary. She and Lynette were probably comparing wayward K husbands while Simon and I talked Ks, leprechauns and rides. 

We didn't have time for Simon to return the shout (Aussie for buy a round of drinks), so I've been informed I have to visit again for that purpose. 

Thanks, Simon and Hilary, for taking the trouble to travel in and brave the day's demonstration. 


We had a wonderful time in Ireland. Bus tours don't give the flexibility of independent travel, so it was great to be able to catch up with 3 Eccentrics and Hilary. 
Thanks again for your welcome.  I'll be back. (Somehow, I think I should have injuries and artificial additions like Arnie to say that. Either that or a corncob pipe.) 

Bill

Bill it was really nice of you and Lynette to come all the way over for my birthday. That's K dedication for you.!!

It was great to see you both and we do hope to see you back again. !! Leprechauns riding Ks?

indian036 wrote:Found these two reprobates at Blarney today.   (Makes a good set of 3 reprobates. )

A great pleasure to see them again after a gap of more than 2 years. Thanks for taking the trouble to find us on our travels.

Also heard some first hand reports of the workshop day at Magda's last Saturday, including good food, good Kompany and some strange, strong and unpronounceable drink.

Bill

It was great to see you guys, have a good trip back!

BTW it's a terrible picture, the one on the left looks like some half-wit bear roaming around human dwellings...

Bjorn, at least it's easy to find you among the "little people" that Ireland is famous for.

Cheers

A bit more difficult to spot Bill :-)



Picture was from his 2015 visit to Dublin 

Hi Bill

It was great to meet up last week and the offer stands for another drink !!

I get the impression our wives have the same view about bikes 

Also a bed awaits you in Dublin if you ever make it this way again.

Hi Bill

Just enjoyed reading Episode 4 of the Travelogue, star date 09072017. Great read and hoper your daughter comes out of it all ok. Hadn't realised she was over!.

Anyway in all of it I [we] hope you make it back again. Working on getting CF to drop in this way too and hopefully some time we can make that happen.

Failing that we need to get you both down to south west France.....CF has been there before..!