Sealed With A Kiss - Brian Hyland

Photographs can be viewed more clearly and in larger format by 'left clicking' on the first image then scrolling.

It would be safe to assimilate Cork with the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival in as much that if you can remember it you weren't there. Good job then that we had the cameras clicking away both day and night. This morning it was an early taxi ride to the outskirts of the city and to the world famous

 

 

On the way our driver pointed out the home of footballer Roy Keen.

 

 

Set in hundreds of acres of beautiful parkland

 

complete with lots of beautiful people who you would be able to see if those 2 idjuts (as the Paddy's say) would get out of the frekin' way!

 

 

Of course the Castle is mostly famous for the

which has the effect on he who kisses it thus

 

The un-eloquent (if there is such a word) were about to be converted, while

 

 already some were being initiated 

high above,

our turn would come later but first a look around the Castle Grounds.

 

Visiting the Troglodytes.

 

For unknown reasons, I had always imagined the Blarney Stone to be a well close to the river but as previously stated it is high on the castle ramparts, now began the long climb with fantastic sights en-route.

 

 

 

There were a good number of tourists but little of a wait as we finally approached the ritual site.

First problem for the 'Skinny Kids' amongst us was getting down on you back, not a problem in the days when I was suppose to have been working.

Today there was a bit of creaking before grabbing the support rails either side.

Finally,

 THE KISS (Gustav Klimt).

and on the subject of 'eloquence', there's always one who has to lower the tone. The sign quite clearly said NO TONGUES - Yuk!

We all passed with flying colours and just compare with the image above, OOZING ELOQUENCE or what? Final port of call within the Castle Grounds was a most interesting

 

 

DEADLY NIGHTSHADE.

Our Leader usually has a trick or two up his sleeve and we were now about to be led to a meeting with 

 The Man In Black himself, Johnny Cash who was known to visit a pub just across the road

THE MUSKERRY ARMS

It took a full 'four pints' before Jim came to the conclusion he had got it wrong and we decanted to the

 

just a few paces away. "Aye to be sure, to be sure this is the place", famous last words of Jim the Medic, no one within had a clue what the hell he was on about and also pointed out that Cash had past away a full 9 years ago. It was 13:00 as we entered the pub for a couple more and a bite to eat followed by a return to Garnish House to spruce up for the evening. As a footnote it would be appropriate to make mention of the hugely warm welcome we have received during the trip so far. The professionalism, kindness, help etc of taxi drivers, bar and restaurant staff, along with the general public and all else has made this a great visit, we were not to know there was even better to come that evening which will have to wait for tomorrow's post.

So pleased to be back in the saddle with service returned to normal.

Communication Breakdown - Led Zeppelin

Dear Reader

It is not known whether it's this Google Blog Site, my 'tablet' laptop or the Internet here, either way we are unable to 'upload' any photograph but it is hoped this will be rectified tomorrow. That cannot be made a promise, as sat here in Cork Airport my flight is once again delayed good reason maybe for never flying with Aer Lingus again! A THOUSAND apologies, talk soon.

Band of Gypsies - Jimi Hendrix

Still playing 'catch-up' we have to return to yesterday again, but before doing so there is just the matter of a small complaint at the hotel. The breakfast menu clearly states 'porridge with Bailey's/Jamison's' but each of us found at least 3 flakes of oats in our cereal this morning. The Management have been informed.

All 5 of us agree that Cork has been the very best of destinations to to spend a lad's weekend and we have had nothing but excellent service, great food and drink and as is so often the case people who are the salt of the earth

The Gothic cathedral is magnificent

while the Murphy's continues to flow. We are told that Guinness is for the holiday trade while Murphy's and Beemish are the brews to drink.

We caught it just right for the European Motorbike Festival, with a parade of noisy machines driving through the city.

PORTUGAL well represented.

 

The whole place thrives on a number of maritime disasters, not least the Titanic which docked here at Cobh (Cove) for the very last time.

The tiny harbour at COBH.

As the plaque states, the SS LUSITANIA also met her end close to where we are standing.

The train back to Cork city centre

viewing cargo ships and 

other vessels plying the River Lee on the way.

An ancient Steam Engine was the finale to the days viewing before heading for food and the nightlife.

THE LOFT was a great place to start and as with all other the service and food here was of the highest order.

Along with more Murphy's, and Jamison's a couple of bottles of decent Argentinian Malbec were consumed and at last I have chance to introduce the Band of Gypsies.

John and Jim (Skinny Kid) Tunnicliffe.

Moi

along with Ian and Craig we consumed Calamari, Pork Loin, Fish and Chips plus Bread and Butter Pudding, I feel a dance coming on!

On the way to Black Oak Nightclub we past THE ONION SELLER

then quickly found our way into the company of some of the local late night boogiers.

The future, if indeed there is one, is most certainly RED!

CRAIG and IAN now seemingly under the influence of Captain Jamison

while yours truly paid homage to one of the greatest guitarists that ever lived, local boy. RORY GALLAGHER

while in another corner there stood a shrine

to the legend that is PHIL LYNOTT (Thin Lizzy).

Not for the first time I was asked if I am Peter Green, the man responsible for the formation of Fleetwood Mac, as he too is a Flippin' Fat Git!

No amount of denial was going to change the minds of the revellers so we all just went with the flow

enjoying a brilliant and alcohol fuelled evening.

The other 3 went on early, about 02:00, while Jim and I went for a serious nightcap and a sing-along with the buskers of which there were a few. 03:30 saw us safely tucked up in our hammocks and back on parade for breakfast at 08:00 this morning. Could only face 2 helpings of porridge before going onto the scrambled eggs and smoked salmon and all else that went with it. We were on the road again by 9, but that will have to wait for manana - must get down to the cèilidh.