Travel madness...

I'm writing this post at 11.00pm on the 21rst, but I'm not sure when I will get to post it. Here goes:

What a day! Today was the most involved, i think is the best way to put it, travel day I've had yet on this trip- perhaps in my whole life.

I awoke early this morning at 6.00 to pack and prepare for the day. After a quick but delicious breakfast and a farewell to Sue of Quilt and Croissants, Hayley and I went to the Stratford-upon-Avon train station to catch out 7.45 train (having picked up the ticket on the day we first arrived there). Train Number 1 caught, we walked through Birmingham to the next station, which was some ways away (when you are schlepping heavy bags) and then onto Train Number 2, after struggling with lines/confusion to get Ticket Number 2. Train Number 2 finished taking us to London. Next stage.

We arrive at the London Euston Train Station/Tube Stop, and catch the Northern Line going south to King's Cross St. Pancras, then switch to the Piccadilly line heading North to Caledonian station. I leave Hayley with the bags while I make yet another sojourn to pick up my (FINALLY) repaired (COMPLETLY) laptop. Then, a brisk walk both ways (each past the Pentonville Prison...) and we are back on the Piccadilly Line south to Greene Park. Switch to Victoria Line at Greene Park, and take that to Victoria Station.

Now, we catch the Gatwick Express train (ticket purchased en route to London) to the Airport, go and check in, check our bags in, pick up our tickets and get lunch in the airport while waiting to leave.

The plane leaves on schedule at 2.45 and arrives about an hour later. We are in Ireland! Cork is beautiful, if overcast (typically Irish). Then, we get our bags, go through customs, and go wait to catch another bus.

This bus takes us to the central station in Cork. After all this, we are exhausted, and it's only 6.30.

We could technically walk to the hostel we are staying, but we are so exhausted we hire a cab for the short drive. The cabbie is a character. My oh my. Crazy about Soccer. Hates Dublin, loves Cork. Thinks the States are of no account. The other cabbies are all jealous of him (or so he says) because he just put out his own book on soccer (which he has!). Talks about how friendly the Irish in Cork are, but spends most of his time bad-mouthing the Dubliners and people who demean Soccer. Wow.

The hostel itself, is quite serviceable. I'll post about that later though, and the rest of the night's events. And perhaps even on the previous night's events of note. I'm going to bed!