Ullapool, Scotland

I left off our travels where we were anticipating a visit to a northern area of Scotland: Ullapool, a very small town on a sea lake. Population, 1200. It was remote and beautiful. We enjoyed walking the streets with old buildings built very close together. We were offered shortbread cookies, coffee, or beer at the nearby pub, then it was back to our ship.

Belfast, Northern Ireland

During the night, we sailed to Belfast. It was quite rainy in the afternoon, which added to the sad parts of this city. They called all of the unrest “the trouble”. There were walls with graffiti painted along certain parts of the city that in the past separated the protestants and the catholics. We walked through Belfast Castle, with its beautiful grounds, wandered through City Hall. This is Northern Ireland, belonging to United Kingdom. The people are Irish and “the trouble” was the differing Protestant and Catholic denominations.

Liverpool, England

We sailed on to a beautiful seaport and sunshine in Liverpool, England–home of the Beatles! We had a guide from Yorkshire who loved talking about his adopted city. Here are some photos from there:

Holyhead, Wales

We sailed from Liverpool on to Holyhead, Wales to visit a castle. This was a bit of deja vu for me. Twenty years ago, my late husband Bill and I visited this area, climbed the highest peak in Wales, Snowdonia, and visited the very castle Jim and I visited. It was exactly as I remembered it. New memories, old ones to treasure.

The food

Of course when on vacation or cruise, you eat! We enjoyed breakfast most days in the dining room. We got to know the servers, most were from the Philippines and such delightful, cheerful people. We had a surprise when I recognized an old friend from my past. We were in the same youth group at church and renewed our friendship again with dinner together. It was a delight.

Dublin, Ireland

At last, we were ready to visit Dublin. Jim’s mother was born in Dublin and he was anxious to see her birth city. Dublin is a growing city with lots of cranes ready to build new buildings. We were told one-half of the population is under age twenty-five years old. Sadly, one of the clerks told me most of the younger generation are not religious at all. She said, “The priests and disgrace, you know.”

Next morning we arrived in Dover. There are lots of white cliffs. I will tell you more next time. When I write next, we’ll be back home with lots of memories to put in the bank. I’ll close with a beautiful prayer I saw yesterday in Canterbury Cathedral:

Loving God,

may this moment be to us a time of blessing, a time to pause, to thank you for all the good things you give us, to delight in your goodness around us. 

Open our hearts and minds to your presence that we may be a blessing to all whom we meet today.

Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen

Until next time!