Day 12 Monday 25th May 2009 Liveropool to Dublin

Day 12 Monday 25th May 2009. Liverpool to Dublin.
My day was ok until after a lovely breakfast; then it went wrong; first I had forgotten about our changed schedule caused by railway repair; Instead of catching the train for Holyhead Dublin Ferry port at Liverpool Lime Street we first had to catch a bus to Birkenhead Station which took longer meaning we had to start earlier. If it had not been for rearguard Ross phoning me I would have been left behind. Thank you Ross. Any way we caught up the others at Birkenhead Station and set off at 9:50am for Chester where our first train change occurs. I went through the barrier to buy a sandwich an on my return I produced my Train ticket to get back through again. I walked about 8 meters to fay and handed her the sandwich; then I could not find my ticket. I had lost it within 8 meters. We hunted everywhere and all my pockets. I was advised that I may be able to buy another on the train. As luck would have it no train attendant asked for it. I walked through the station barriers as well without trouble. At Chester we boarded a Virgin train that came from Euston in London. There was not much luggage space which impeded our boarding. We all settled down after the train departed at 11:16 by utilising spare seats as luggage racks. Very soon the station names and signs seemed to be written in a strange language. That meant we were travelling through Wales. The terrain now had some hills and the paddocks had gorse hedges covered with yellow flowers. As we neared Holyhead mist was moving from the sea through the hills and houses. We arrived on time at 12:50pm. A short time later we passed through an x-ray security check and boarded a bus which drove us onto the boat. We had to climb stairs up to the seventh deck. When we got there all the good window seats had been taken. Never mind ten minutes after leaving the dock we were in thick fog and could not see sea scenery. The ferry is large and modern. They serve very good meals. The fish and chips are served with mushy peas. I like mushy peas. About 30 minutes before we docked the fog lifted; this enabled us to see Ireland for the first time. The day was heavily overcast with rain threatening. My overall impression was that Dublin was a grey city, it being the dominant colour especially as the grey buildings met the grey sky. We were loaded into a bus onboard and driven off to a depot where we collected our luggage and then driven to our hotel. The hotel has a very new look about it and guess what? I have complementary broadband.