Though there was a time on board the MSC Preziosa when it was particularly slippy because of the Norwegian rain.
Photo album
And she looked as if she might fall overboard. I very nearly caught her too!
So opening up the album here are my Frostie’s Favourites and some of her creativity has even rubbed off on me. See if you can spot which are hers and which are mine?
The fjords
Which one’s the troll?
And She was up every morning bright and early to capture Norway’s waterfalls, inlets and try to spot trolls.
There was one still sleeping off the previous night’s wine, in our MSC Preziosa cabin room.
Bitesize Hamburg
Walking on air in Copenhagen
And when She wasn’t putting her feet up in the beach bar in tbe Rieperbahn she was snapping life around the port.
Amsterdam by George
Can I be trusted on a bike? In Amsterdam
And sometimes we make a rod for our own back because after staying at the Dylan Amsterdam where George and Amal stay then everywhere else is a disappointment.
Heart and Soll
White delight: In Soll
I fell for you Heart and Soll as Cole Porter sang. And while I was falling down the slopes She was getting the ski boots off and capturing the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser.
The power of Powerscourt
Towering talent… one of mine
And the two things that She loves more than anything in life and neither of them are me are in Wicklow that’s gardening and shopping.
Powerscourt has them both... and don’t my credit cards know it?
One of Hers
And one of Jose’s
And lastly here we are the picture of happiness as taken by our Portuguese guide, photography fan and pal Jose.
Fifty years ago this week the Battle of the Bogside in Derry/Londonderry triggered what the people of Northern Ireland termed, in their unique parlance, The Troubles.
Millions of words have been fired off in the thirty years of armed conflict since and in the 20 of the Peace Process.
And worse guns and bombs with 3,532 killed.
The question, and the debate, is as it has always been.
Should Ireland be unified or should Northern Ireland remain as it is, a self-governing entity?
Only it hasn’t been that for 934 days… the longest a country has been without a government in the world.
And he was a Dubliner
The sticking points have been, as they often have but with some new ones thrown in.
How to resolve the past, the Irish Language Act and same sex marriage.
And that’s even before we talk about Brexit and hard borders and soft borders.
Northern Ireland voted to stay in Europe but want a customs union.
But the overall vote was to leave although it didn’t say under what terms or any.
Confused? You will be.
And then there’s an international agreement, The Good Friday Agreement.
That brought the Troubles to an end which states that there should be freedom of movement between North and South.
But a No Deal threatens that.
A game of chess: The two sides of politicians
Which has reenergised a call among republicans for a United Ireland.
Although scratch the surface with those in the South and it’s a head and heart issue with many not wanting their Northern brothers and sisters.
Oversimplified? Yes.
For a better insight into Northern Ireland, the North, the Six Counties… take your pick according to your viewpoint then listen up.
The Ulster Museum in Belfast is a time capsule, interesting, engaging, interactive.
It’s the Claret Jock, off to Royal Portrush courtesy of my friends at http://www.tourismni.com. Tourism Northern Ireland and your Travel Editor of the Year, a winning team!
I’ll be bringing you all the best on and off-course and in-tent action from the final day of The Open Golf Championship from beautiful Royal Portrush tomorrow.
And I did get offered a chance this week to talk to VIPs who were wired to the moon this famous day 50 years ago.
And the special event is being held at the very minute too 50 years ago when President Nixon made his historic phone call to Neil Armstrong.
Just follow me: NASA astronaut Commander Jon McBride
Unfortunately I couldn’t hotfoot it over to the Richard Nixon Library in California for the exclusive event this evening with such short notice.
But we are friends from our meeting at IPW, the American Travel Fair in Anaheim, and I’ll get there next time.
Amid the great outpouring of national joy at America beating the Soviets to the moon some thought that Richard Nixon was being rewarded for what was John F. Kennedy’s great vision.
But that’s where the Nixon Library will put you right… the Nixons and the Kennedys despite standing against each other in the 1960 election became great friends.
North Alabama tourism project
Dick and John were both Cold War warriors, genuinely liked each other and Pat invited Jackie and the kids back to the White House when they moved in.
It is a myth that America is short on history – well, I would say that being an American History graduate.
And the Nixon Library in Yorba Linda, 37 miles south-east of Downtown LA is where to go. Visit http://www.nixonfoundation.org to learn everything you need to know about the only Californian-born President.
And http://www.visitnasa.com for everything NASA related… there are 14 Visitor Center and space shuttle locations to complete your passport.
Guten Morgan
The final straw: After five cocktails
No, I’m not going all German on you though there would be no harm in that.
It’s just that the Morgan Hotel celebrated its first birthday since its reopening with a gala night and I awoke giddy of head and ready to share with all I met.
Alas this time breakfast wasn’t in the hotel, as it was back in February, but back home here in Greystones where The Scary One was scaring up some poached eggs on toast to soak up the FIVE cocktails from the previous evening.
If you want a reviving breakfast after a night on the town then The Morgan is ideal. It is a positive oasis from Temple Bar.
You’ll sleep like Rip Van Winkle with nary a sound from outside and the staff are super-friendly even remembering us from our visit in February.
The Morgan is continuing in real birthday mood with a sale with rooms for €149 per night. Book by July 31. Visit http://www.themorgan.com.
And watch out too for my review from earlier this year of The Morgan Hotel which I’ll get to work on soon. Well, it is the weekend!
The Travel Bible
It’s the definitive Book of Irish Travel.
Travelbiz.ie and its The Irish Travel Directory & Diary 2019.
If you’re not in it you’re not in Irish Travel and there I am – and I swear it was the first page I opened to.
Close your eyes and pick
Reach for the sky: Photo by Lukas Kloeppel on Pexels.com
Do you do the same?
Close your eyes in the departure lounge in the airport and when you open them fix them on the first destination you see on the board and decide to go there.
I’ll tell you what… I cheat too and look for the American destinations.
American Holidays has bumper family holidays for next Easter.
You’ll build memories that last a lifetime and myself and Daddy’s Little Girl will always have our ice skating experience at the Rockefeller Centre in New York.
American Holidays has New York Family Easter Break from €909pp with flights from Dublin to New York, five nights at the Sheraton New York Times Square, travelling April 2020. Based on two adults and two children sharing.
I dare say La-La went to a good home but the Son and Heir was beside himself in Donegal when he was a toddler and the Yellow One went walkabouts.
As dutiful parents we did, of course, return to where we thought he’d dropped it but it was late and so it was a case of Good Night Teletubby.
It has seemed like it’s been Good Night Teletubbies too for today’s toddlers with Peppa Pig moving in on their manor.
But that’s probably premature. The Teletubbies ARE alive and kicking at Alton Towers Resort and CBeebies Land just two and a half hours from Holyhead, and Irish Ferries will get you there and give you this great offer.
So that’s a return car ferry, two-day park passes to Alton Towers Resort & CBeebies Land and a three-night stay in the Tillington Hall Hotel. From €595 for a family of 4.
You’ve got 12 themed areas that contain 40 different rides of attractions. CBeebies Land is located within Alton Towers and has 14 rides and attractions including the Teletubbies Big Band Live Show and the Peter Rabbit Hippity Hop ride.
Jump in, Majorca’s lovely: Photo by Mariia Kamenska on Pexels.com
Well, if Majorca’s good enough for Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones.
Don’t be put off by the Magaluf of this world, Majorca is a varied and beautiful island, full of unspoiled beaches, great culinary delights, olde world towns and stunning mountains.
TUI has seven nights Dublin to Majorca, staying at the 3* Protur Bahia Azul Apartments in Cala Bona from €489pps for August 27. To book visit http://www.tuiholidays.ie or call 1850 45 35 45.
And the Champion Golfer is…
I’m up in Royal Portrush for the weekend for The Open. And staying in the Clayton Hotel in Belfast tonight ahead of tomorrow’s final round.
With bumper crowds over these four days of competition it will be a reminder to those of us who already love the north and an introduction to those who don’t of all it has to offer.
Portrush itself is a gorgeous town and it’s worth going even when the golf isn’t on so that you can get a chance to check out Portrush Whiterocks Beach, Barry’s Amusements, Dunluce Castle and the Causeway Coastal Route.
I’ll share with you the tips I give to the winner when I return.
I’m an Open book. My history with the Ancient game in the Travel blog that will come to you from Royal Portrush. I’m the Man!!! Your Travel Editor of the Year.
I’ll be heading up to Royal Portrush for the last day of The Open Golf Championship on Sunday as a guest of Tourism Northern Ireland www.tourismni.com and staying at the 4* Clayton Hotel in Belfast.
And I’ll share all the off-course news with you too when I get back.
In truth we’re something of a golf wannabe family, Every Wednesday which was my Dear Old Dad’s half day he and my Mum would go up to their golf club outside Glasgow for a round.
My Dad had a mantra on the green: ‘Never up, never in…’ which he used the day we went down to the practice day in Royal Troon and he made a passing comment to major winner David Graham by the side of one of the practice green.
The Aussie shot back with a withering look.
I’ll be desisting if I see Tiger or Rory on the practice green, but it might be in the genes.
