Ahoy there summer

 Docked in Belfast, UK, and searching for summer.

Welcome aboard

In our floating home for the next 25 days. Goodbye England.

That's the Isle of Wight over there. Wouldn't mind stopping in but it's full steam ahead.

Imbarco

At the cruise terminal in Venice. Guess who's early again? Another hour until checking but.... there's free wifi.

Country Garden

We've had a peaceful sojourn at our cousin's place in rural Wiltshire following our Irish adventures. The garden provides a beautiful setting for his charming home.

We're now all rested up for our forthcoming cruise. 

Brown Bubbly

No champagne breakfasts in the Executive Lounge at Dublin Airport but the are plentiful supplies of Diet Coke.

Where's the weedkiller?

We were excited in Castletown Geoghegan, Westmeath when a lady at the church directed us to the old cemetery where I thought our Ryan ancestors may be buried. There was a little issue in accessing the cemetery!!!

Chasing ancestors....again

Research time -helping to boost Ireland's economy at the General Register Office - Research Room in Dublin.

A room with a view in a nice hotel in Athlone, Ireland - q lovely surprise. Think we'll dine at the bar down by the water.

Radisson Blu - Athlone

Kilkenny Capers

We hunted down ancestors today and went for a stroll through Kilkenny Town. This evening. We dined, drank Kilkenny Beer and listened to music at Kytelers Inn.

We hunted for ancestors here

A Sense of Belfast

As we drove around Belfast this afternoon we saw many murals in East Belfast and Shankill Road.

Irish Sunshine

Hotel internet has been fixed (I complained) so here are some pics of people enjoying yesterday's superb weather on our along the north-west coast of Ireland and down to Belfast.

Happy travellers

Love a good wine?

Goodbye Helsinki

 We've had a fantastic few days in Helsinki and would recommend this city for a short stay. It was a convenient stop for us on our flight with Finnair from Sydney to London.

For our last morning in Helsinki we strolled a few hundred metres down the street to the Sinebrychoff Art Museum where we learnt more about the art and culture of Finland.