Sunday July 3 - Tome, Antrim, Northern Ireland to Nuneaton, Warwickshire, England

I was up and at it early this morning. We had to be at the docks to catch the ferry to Scotland by 10:30. We left the hotel by 8:30 and arrived in Belfast about 9 - which wasn't much time to look around. The driving in the city was very easy as the streets were pretty much deserted. Finding our way to the city center, we parked and walked around. The area was quite "depressed" with graffiti on most of the roll-up doors that shops use to protect their glass windows/doors. Many of the buildings were empty and in various stages of showing their age.

We came upon a massive building (covered an entire block) which was the headquarters of the Presbytertian Church in Ireland. Built in 1905, using beautiful large stones, it had gargoyles and other carvings that you wouldn't automatically associate with a Protestant church. Within the city center were two Catholic churches and two Protestant churches.  This was surprising considering all of the unrest/fighting that took place not so long ago between the two groups. Dave found a bullet hole in the window of one of the Protestant churches.

The Queens College of Belfast is an amazing building. So beautiful on the outside. We were able to have a peek in the main hall. How wonderful to be able to study at such a beautiful campus. We walked past City Hall, a number of pubs, and shops. Hardly anything was open and very few people were out and about. A sidewalk sweeper (think street sweeper machine but smaller) was at work. There was a hop-on hop-off tour that we would have loved to get on but the ferry was calling us.

On many of the sign posts were posters which claimed that the UK sends 50 million pounds to the EU everyday - therefore vote to get "our country back". Much talk about this whole mess as we travel about. There's rumblings of another vote.

We boarded the ferry about 11 and landed in Scotland about 2. It was a bit of a rough trip with some wind and rain. While on board we booked our hotel for the next 4 nights (staying in one place and making day trips from there) and wrote postcards. Maybe they'll arrive before we get home.

Once we landed we drove for two hours until we reached Caerlaverock Castle - built in the mid 1200s and last inhabited in 1640. It's pretty well preserved. The owners, through the years, made sure that people didn't steal the stone blocks from which the castle was made - which was the custom when castles were abandoned. Made of red limestone, as are many buildings in the area, and sitting in a rolling landscape, it was very beautiful. Very different than any other castles we've seen. Near the castle was the River Nith which experiences tides. A sign said, "fast flowing tides and quicksand". Inviting, right?

The castle was near a town called Dumfries - pronounced dumb frees. When I saw it, I though it was pronounced dumb fries. Pretty funny right William?  :)

Scotland is beautiful - at least the section we drove through. The sun was peeking out which made the rolling fields on the mountains dazzle. Covered in fields separated by short stone fences, cows and sheep grazed while wheat and hay fields swayed in the breeze. We came upon a huge field of 100 (?) Guernsey cows. Again, words can't do justice to the majestic scenery. Our plan was to head to Edinburgh but reality dictated that that would be a poor decision. Too far and too much driving. Perhaps another time.

We had decided to drive a lot today so that we could muck about for the next four days seeing great sites rather that driving every day. Nottingham sounded like a good place to go to - just because Robin Hood might be in town. The sun was out, and stayed out, and it was 65 degrees. Heading south we were leaving the cool weather and the on again - off again rain. What a treat.

The plan was to drive for fours hours staight until we reached our hotel in Nuneaton. The countryside of Northern England was just as lovely and grand as that of Scotland. A delight to drive through. The Cumbrian Mountains, that we loved so much in Wales, also run through the area.

Supper was eaten in the car. A baguette (from Ireland), with butter (a much deeper yellow than our butter - not sure why as no color is added) and honey (unpasteurized honey from Scotland), bananas from the market yesterday (which, I realized after writing yesterday's blog, were organic and therefore the $4.40 per pound) and Fanta (this amazing orange drink we can't get on the other side of the pond). Good stuff!

Aaron, we continue to look for Hert Jan beer. No luck yet. We did find Labatt Blue, Canadian Molson, Carlesberg, and Budweiser. All imported of course. :)

The sun shone until we arrived at almost 10 pm at the Bosworth Hall Hotel (built in the 1600s). It has 210 rooms and 11 acres of landscaped gardens. The main hotel building is stunning. Our room is tiny and down many narrow halls. Perhaps that's what $43 a night gets you. We're pleased to be here and eager for the adventures that await us tomorrow.

One thing I learned today: Not only can you buy t-shirts, pants, pjs, and hats in camo print, you can also get kilts. Who knew?

One new thing I experienced today: Driving on freeways in England which finally allowed Dave to use 6th gear. He's been eager to use it as so much of our driving has been much slower.
 
Most powerful moment of the day: Being in three countries in the span of half a day. Europe is blessed to have countries so close together, all with different cultures and experiences.

One pleasurable experience: I just love the Irish accent! More so than the English and Scotish. It's musical.