BELLECK POTTERY and freecamp before DERRY

we have 2 Belleck mugs for coffee and tea and 2 Waterford crystal wine glasses for the van to inspire it to greater deeds on our behalf !!!!!

Mary's Farm---more photos

more photos from visit with Mary

BUNDORAN with Michael and Maria

While with Mary we realized we couldn't do all of Europe in one trip so settled on doing the northern parts and slowing down a bit. So we put the SW of Ireland back till the end of this trip but had to go down to Bundoran at least, to visit my old friends Michael and Maria and introduce Liz to them. Hoped to get a wave in the capital of Irish surfing but it was only 18 ins Had a lovely evening with them and stayed the night in their gorgeous home beside a salmon fishery and in front of some of the best reef breaks in the area. The next morning it was showing signs of a rise in the swell but we had to get going to check out a place where Michael said we could leave our Van over the winter and then after lunch we headed north again and visited the factory of Belleck Pottery before overnighting in a great lookout over Louch Swilly from the eastern side . Heading into Derry in the morning

AT THE FARM WITH MARY--Glenvar, Co Donegal

After getting the camper and returning the Skoda to Dublin we took off for Donegal in the NW of Ireland to visit with Mary who is Liz's aunt and William's mum and we ended up staying 3 nights in the mobile home she has on the property for her brother and other visitors. What a lovely place overlooking the sea of Lough Swilly. There was a cow hanging around the house about to give birth and Mary takes care of all that as well as feeding wild pheasants and keeping run cattle. What a nice lady, salt of the earth, keen to entertain and help us as much as possible. Liz (Anne) had her 1st experience of a beach here as a 5 year old and we went down there on a lovely morning to experience complete privacy where nobody but locals know. Later William and family turned up and we had a nice dinner at Rathmullen House. On Sunday evening Mary took us out for dinner and we said goodbye to her on the Monday at Letterkenny which has a really good Motorhome place where we got some good bits and pieces for the van

Picking up the Van FINALLY!!

Seemed to take a long time to finalise buying the van. In fact it was 10 days after arriving in Dublin before we finally took possession and it was a number of factors that caused that-----DON'T ever buy a van in Ireland because its complicated. Change of ownership and insurance requiring a irish resident coupled with a pretty incompetent dealer getting things ready meant we were only happy to complete the deal come the Friday and of course nobody in banks in Australia was working to process International Bank Transfers of funds over the weekend. We were really lucky to have a lend of Liz's cousin's 2nd car to do the that touring of the East Coast and then picking up the van. So the usual nervousness about spending a large amount of money but touch wood after another 10 days driving her around all seems to be going OK

WATERFORD the 2ND

Some more photos from Waterford from the crystal factory tour and under the Town Hall remains from the 1000's and a shot of  the tower from Viking days

Waterford

One of our favourite cities so far with lots to see and do. Everything is close together with Waterford Crystal a standout closely followed by all the history of this place originally set up as a city by the Vikings in 900's. Some great remains from this time under the present Town Hall and remains of the original town Wall including a great corner tower along the main street facing the river. Will include 2 photos with more to follow when I get them processed 
The restaurant shot is from one of the best chinese I've ever had and its in Waterford Ireland !!!!

East Coast Ireland in William's Skoda

bit of a delay picking up our van so used Liz's cousins Skoda and stayed in B&B's and Hotels. Went down as far as Waterford (of crystal fame)

THE VAN

Our home and transport for the next 4 months

More from Dublin

Nice time in Dublin and it hasn't rained once. Used the train in from William and Caroline's place and did our own thing walking around the old part and then the following day we lucked out with a free 3 hr walking tour which showed up how much you miss without the knowledge. We have selected a camper but its been tricky organizing insurance and then it was Friday and no IMT'S get processed over the weekend, anyway I'll get some pictures added to this post--its a 2003 Mercedes Sprinter thats done 120000km and pretty fair condition and they are getting it all ready for us --maybe get it Wed and we can move on. We have a lend of a car to do some touring along the East Coast while we wait

Sweet Molly Malone

So every male who sees this lovely lady in Dublin has to caress her bosom

Dublin Fair City

Staying with Liz's cousin William and his lovely family Caroline and Darcy in the southern suburb of Black Rock

Chaing Mai to Bangkok by Train

Fansipan Express Chiang Mai to Bangkok June 2011

Overnight train to Bangkok

CHAING MAI June 2011

Chiang Mai was one of our favourite stops. The city has a nice vibe with lots to do and see during day and night. We stayed at Thaphae Garden Guesthouse and recommend it highly for good value. Back then it was $23 and comes with a modest pool to cool down in and AC in the rooms.They helped us get a really good elephant ride tour that included; orchids,the elephant ride for 45 mins to a place where we took a cage on a cable across a river, lunch, walk to a waterfall for a swim finished off with raft ride down a rapid. Back in the city the night markets are great and we found a good vege restaurant called Taste of Heaven