Ferrying ourselves to the Mersey

Last time we visited Liverpool it was to run 26.2 miles, visit the Cavern Quarter and Rock 'n Roll down at Albert Dock.  Today we took a few wrong turns (you know that means we have officially hit our straps), delved into the Mersey Tunnel, and found the Stena Terminal in Birkenhead (not as well signposted as one might hope).  Get there early they said, was well worth it for 90 minutes in a parking queue but we were pleased to get on board, as our start of holiday treat to ourselves was booking into the Club Lounge.  Much as our tradition in recent hotel trips and years gone by in the travel business, the base one needs to start a trip, full of complimentary loveliness.  Better than the masked raid into Greggs at Stafford Services.

So what have we got planned? As much wine as I can legally drive on in 7 hours time is the short term goal.  Then we are heading to Derry, lots planned there tomorrow, plus an obligatory border crossing, have seen a place called Muff on the Irish side we need to head for. Happy to take suggestions as we go, so Derry is the first goal, bridge, walls and museum already in the thinking.  Need to get a run in tomorrow, but that will probably be an exploratory one around the old Air BnB.

Back to tonight, we have begun to move, the lights of Liverpool are fading, and the Stena Club Lounge is offering so much.  I have tried to add the crossing route via google maps, but it suggests the best way is via Holyhead and Eire.  Odd.

-Carys-Hi all, me again, with some more natter about our first day on holiday. For some reason, despite this being the most out-there thing I've done in 4 months, it all feels quite normal.Packed our things over a long course of 3 hours. I literally left mine to the last minute but it was all pretty calm, and we were in the car at exactly 3pm, our set time to leave. A first for the Williams family holidays, and next to no arguments too. Surprising.Wore a mask for the first time consistently since I've not been many places, and it's compulsory in English shops, at Stafford services. Got a good old greggs - cheeky vegan sausage roll which was tasty as usual. They were short on baked goods - which didn't matter as we had plenty of snacks, unlike normally in the car, but I felt bad leaving the last gingerbread man. Clearly I'm very tired. It's almost midnight as I'm writing this, my head is spinning a little from the travelling, so excuse my rambling.We arrived in Liverpool, which was nice to see again after last year's lovely trip for the Rock n Roll running weekend. We didn't get to see the centre but it brought back some nice memories none the less. It took a bit of time to drive around to actually find the port, with misdirection and such else, but we made it. Quick pitstop in the terminal before joining the masses of other cars packing in to the queue to get on the boat. With no clear time on when the boat would start boarding, we settled in for a couple of hours of waiting. It was amusing, but obviously dragged after a little while.With a cheer of hurrah at around 9:30, we followed the cars in front up the steep ramp onto the ferry. Parked and said goodbye for the night to Black Jack, we took what we needed from the car onto the boat and found our way to the lounge.I'm pleasantly surprised with how lovely the boat is. Decorated nicely and just a lot more modern than I expected it to be. We had a nice few hours in the lounge, with the food and drink and now about to head off to bed as we're all pretty drained. 

Think Global, Act Local

As many of you know the hat can only mean one thing ...

A Williams travel trip is in the offing.. not the one we planned, not multiple countries, not multiple runs, not multiple residencies and engagements.  But enough of this 'can't do' attitude, we live in strange times.

We are going on a little road trip to norn ireland, and there will be a nod to all of our usual activities and modes of travel, but will be somewhat distilled, perhaps sanitised would be an appropriate word at this time.  And still worth a blog I say, we can't give everything up can we?

Even a quick last minute decision to do something has opened up a delightful selection of options, and those with some knowledge of the area have already provided us with great ideas for our whistle stop visit.

Belfast was always on Chrissi and my radar for a city break, but beyond that, we hadn't thought much further.  As a child of the 70s and 80s Northern Ireland probably didn't feature on the tourist trail, and its taken perhaps another 20 years after that for it to even emerge. But now it has, and here we are, raring to go, it may just have been the Derry Girls that tipped the balance.  And what a poignant week to head over, with the passing yesterday of John Hume.  I suspect we all might just learn something over the next few days.

-Carys-

Not much to say from me today, I'm afraid. I think my writing skills are a little rusty so you may have to bear with me over the coming week - I'm not the same blogger I once was.

Saying that, this is all for a bit of fun, which I hope our holiday will be too. Not exactly the trip we had in mind for this year, but one that I'm sure will be just as memorable as the rest. I'm not sure how much we'll have to say each day, so the blogs might vary in size but you'll likely have a rambling of sorts from us every day, and we will see how it goes from there.

So, excited for another journey. A new country. I've always wanted to visit Ireland - and Scotland but that's one for another time. I love a bit of culture, so have looked up Irish dishes I can try and make in our bnb kitchen using whatever we can find in the supermarkets. I'll talk about that when it comes though. It doesn't feel like one at all yet though - we haven't even started packing as we're not leaving till the afternoon tomorrow. That's all I've got for now. And thanks for reading, whether your new or here from our original blogs - we appreciate ya. 

See you tomorrow! :)