Ironbridge to Stonehenge

100 feet long, this cast-iron bridge was built in 1770

On our way to Stonehenge we drove through Ironbridge, along the River Severn in Shropshire, England. This area is known as the "birthplace of the Industrial Revolution". Ironbridge is home to the first iron bridge, (you might have figured that one out on your own) and is surrounded by many historical sites from this era. 

View from the middle of the bridge back towards town

There are nine museums in the Ironbridge Gorge area, and we decided to spend some time at the Blists Hill Victorian Town. Similar to the Ulster Folk Park, you step back in time and see how people lived during the 19th century in this area. We really enjoyed our time here, visiting with local craftspeople, trying our hand at candle-making, using Victorian-era money, and eating authentic food.

Approaching the Victorian Town

Ainsley at the candle-making station.

Will visiting with Casey the horse

The candle-maker shop. We had a fascinating visit and learned that the local candle-maker was a usually a rich man. A low overhead for a product that everyone wanted and needed frequently. The downside was the horrible smell in the shop as animal fat was used for wax.

Piglets near the farmhouse

The Victorian Village gave you  great feel for life in this time. There were many costumed people throughout the town who would tell you about their life or engage with each other. In fact, the town constable peddled up to the farmer and said "good morning farmer John, taking care of September's bacon?" Oooh, poor little piglets. Within the town we visited a locksmith, blacksmith, wood carver, leather worker, plaster maker, printer, and baker and learned about their work. We stood in a long line for fresh from the oven hot-cross buns and gingerbread bunnies.

Large pile of coking coal for the furnaces

Some locals from Blists Hill

Remnants of some blast furnaces for making iron.

Ainsley and Will trying some of the Victorian amusement games

Little house we passed along the way to Stonehenge

Not something you usually need to watch out for!

After a scenic drive through the countryside we came upon Stonehenge and couldn't believe our eyes. It's fun to see something that you've seen in pictures your whole life, and suddenly you're standing right in front of it. We walked around for about an hour and checked it out from all angles.

The bubbles bought us a bit more time to wander the grounds.

Cymru (Wales)

Conwy, Wales

We arrived by ferry to the island of Anglesey in Wales. Having dodged the major impact of the storm while we were in Ireland, the beautiful snow-capped mountains of Snowdonia National Park greeted us as we drove through Anglesey.  Our original plan was to eventually loop through the National Park on our way out of Wales, but the recent storm meant that it would take too long to drive through the park, and we were forced to admire Snowdonia from a distance.

Snowdonia National Park from Anglesey Island

View from the Motorway

Our first stop in Wales was the seaside resort town of Llandudno. This charming area was originally a Victorian-era resort town, and is home to some great beaches and a pier with rides, shops, and kid's amusement games. There is also an interesting connection to Lewis Carroll and Alice in Wonderland here in Llandudno. Alice Liddel used to holiday here and was told stories by Mr. Carroll that would eventually become the book Alice in Wonderland. This was certainly one area we could have spent a few extra days strolling the streets and playing by the ocean.

Rocks = happy kids

Relaxing after some hide and seek in the dunes

The West Shore

Holybank Housek, our residence during our stay in Llandudno

View of The Parade, a curved street that runs along the beach

Side street in Llandudno

The Llandudno Pier

Will found a football shop on the pier, and was thrilled to discover his favorite team represented.

The end of the pier, with the Great Orme (limestone headland) in the background.

Probably a bit more fun than the folk park.

Our next stop in Wales was Conwy, home of another World Heritage Site- Conwy Castle. Built back in the 13th century during the reign of English King Edward I, this medieval castle is very imposing and lacks any modern refurbishments. Originally used to subjugate the Welsh, Conwy served a number of occupants through the 17th century. The castle and town are also surrounded by well-preserved town walls which give it a unique atmosphere and make you feel like you've stepped back in time. We've seen our share of castles throughout the year, and this was definitely one of our favorites.

Approaching Conwy Castle

My attempt at artsy photography

View of the family from the Kings Tower (where I am). I couldn't decide which picture I wanted, so I just put them both on.

The Chapel tower and River Conwy in the background.

It's just not an outing without ice cream.

Just a short walk from the castle was Plas Mawr, "the finest surviving  town house of the Elizabethan era in Britain", according to our guide book. We were told it was definitely worth a look, and since the kids had their ice cream fix, we checked it out.

The home of Robert Wynn, a wealthy trader

On our way to get some fish and chips for dinner, we had a chance encounter with a falcon, and finished the day with one more house (tour not required).

A Peregrine Falcon from a medieval performance

It wasn't on our original itinerary, but when we were staying in Llundudno our host told us not to miss the smallest house in Great Britain! Sure enough, it was very small.

We would have liked to spend more time in Wales, but it was time to move on. Next stop, England.

Omagh to Dublin

View of the countryside from the Ulster Folk Park

After our visit to the Giants Causeway, we started to make our way down towards Dublin. The road trip was packed with activities, and that didn't leave us too much time to linger. As much as we have loved train travel, we enjoyed driving through the countryside and seeing some places off the beaten path. We drove a few hours and stopped for the night in the town of Omagh. The kids weren't too sure about anyplace called a "Bed and Breakfast", but quickly discovered that a big homemade breakfast and comfy room was pretty cool.

Arandale House

Having a history teacher for a dad brings a certain element to family vacations. I'm always on the hunt for places that are fun and educational if I can find them. We found just such a place at the Ulster Folk Park. The Ulster Folk Park is an open-air museum which focuses on the Irish experience of the 19th century and the immigrants who made their way to America. Authentic buildings, people dressed in character, and hands-on activities made for a fun afternoon. There was even an exhibit on the Titanic, as the anniversary of the sinking was a few weeks away.

Special display about the rescue procedures on the Titanic

Reproduction of the cabins on the Titanic (3rd class, often times nicer than where the passengers had been living)

Typical single-floor dwelling of 19th-century Irish

Downtown area with local merchants

The Forge

Halfway through the park you go on a ship similar to the one taken by immigrants to America. You get to see what conditions were like on the ships, and then you "arrive" to see what life was like for some in their new country. (I know, still not Legoland)

A step down from the Titanic

The actual Mellon House. Thomas Mellon left Ireland and founded Mellon Bank in the United States.

After leaving the Ulster Folk Park, we drove down the motorway to the town of Armagh. Tracey, the wife of my exchange partner Bryan, has close friends who run a restaurant there and we wanted to stop by and say hello. We had a delicious lunch at the award-winning Uluru Bistro and really enjoyed the visit.

Before we move along to the Republic of Ireland, we wanted to share a band we discovered from Northern Ireland. They're called the Lowly Knights and we really like them. If you're a music fan, check out these videos:

 Devotion- The Lowly Knights

 

You can tell a man by how he lifts his hands- The Lowly Knights

Scenery as we make our way to Dublin

The tightness of our schedule meant that we didn't have much time in Dublin, only one day in fact. We stayed in the downtown area and took a morning walk along the waterfront and meandered through the Temple Bar district. I had walked through the Temple Bar area the previous night on my own and had fun listening to music and people-watching. Tracey had given us some recommendations for places to visit, so we put on our exploring shoes and found some amazing hot chocolate at Butler's and sticky buns at Bewley's.

The River Liffey

 The harp-shaped Samuel Becket Bridge

Custom House

The kids loved the Meekat collection.

Leaving Dublin behind and heading off to Wales