We are back in Dublin as I write this entry, but I remember it very clearly. The day started with and early breakfast, pretty much the first ones there so everything was freshly put out. I even dared the sunny side up eggs, they were actually pretty ok. I drank three cups of coffee and got one to go as I needed to be alert for the first part of the trip.
We picked up our rental car from Europcar just down the street from our hotel. The credit card was supposed to cover the insurance, but Ireland is one of the few countries, not covered, along with Italy (which I understand because they drive crazy), Israel (I have an idea why) and Jamaica. Long story short, we paid for all of the insurance. Renting the car was the easy part, driving was another story.
Everything about driving here is just backwards. The drive (me) is on the other side of the car, you drive on the other side of the road, the passing lane I on your right not your left, the shoulder is on the left not the right, the left turn is the short turn the
right the long. It is very confusing. Even after two days of driving on the other side of the road, I am still not use to it. I tend to hug the left side of the road; I dont know why I just do. So much so that within 20 minutes we hit the guardrail (thanks for the insurance no coast to us). Then there are the round abouts, I am great at round abouts when you go to the right, but here you go to the left it is like an alternate universe. The saving grace was it was an automatic, there is no way I could drive a manual and shift with my left hand.
We did get there in one piece, well Jerry was a nervous reck, because he was on the left side of the car, so knew how close I was to the edge, I really had zero since of where then edge of the road was on the left side. The hotel was actually very easy to get to, well that is one we managed to find our way into the city. The main roundabout was under major construction so we missed the
Our hotel for the evening was Metropole, a nice hotel, but it was quite a walk to our room. We did have a nice river view. I felt like Hansel and Gretel finding our room, I just needed some bread crumbs to find the way back to the elevator. The room was very nice, even heated towel bar. The bed was small only a double, not even a Queen, but we were so tired by the time we hit the sheets it could have been a single and we would not have cared.
We were early, so we stored out luggage and headed out for our half day in Cork. First stop Shandon Bells and Tower. It was a hike to get there, all up hill. Then there were the 132 steps to the top of the tower. On the first floor you get to stop and ring the bells. They even have a number guide so you could play a song, of course one of them was the worst Beatles song in the world Hey Jude. I rang two bells, then continued up
to the balcony. As always, the pain of the steps is rewarded with a great few. Even at 60 and to much extra weight, I can make it to the top.
From the Church, (St. Annes) we then headed back down the hill into the center of the city, which is on an Island the River Lee on either side. He we walked down Paul Street (the French quarter) a very quaint street with a hint of French influence. Then we walked through the English Market. We always enjoy the markets and a chance to see all the fresh produce, excellent meats and cheeses. There is a restaurant on the second floor called The Farmgate, we were going to have lunch there but they are not opened on Mondays. This turned out to be ok, as we ate at Market Lane instead. Spoiler alert, dish of the day came from this place. First it was packet, but we got right in. The menu has a mix of traditional and more modern takes on Irish Fare. The fish & chips looked good, but I have already had that twice. We both went for sandwiches. Jerry had Chicken Salad, and not
just any chicken salad a Tarragon Cashew Pesto Chicken Salad with sundried tomatoes served on a beer mash sourdough.
