Author: Mark Upfold

Mosta festa- Assumption of Mary, a National holiday last Thursday in all Catholic countries world wide. It used to be a National holiday in South Africa, but abolished in 1994.

Much pomp and ceremony, religious symbols, marching band, flags and fireworks.

Golfari highlight of the tour- St ANDREWS OLD COURSE.

As Golfari is primary a golf site incorporating travel, what better way to celebrate golf but at the home of golf- St Andrews Old course. Golf has been played on the hallowed turf for over 600 years. It is a Links course with double fairways, double greens and challenging deep pot bunkers.

The Links at St Andrews area, is also home to seven(7) other courses, New Course, Jubilee, Eden to name a few. Cost for South Africans is 320 pounds or R7381pp. Getting a game is via a ballot eg place your name in before 2pm on Monday and if lucky you get a tee off time for play on Wednesday.

An absolute pleasure walking where the current and past heroes have tread. A bucket list moment to cherish a lifetime.

SCOTLAND – Day 3-5

I had visited the Falkirk Wheel in 2013, was amazed at the technology and took photos. Now in 2024, booked a ride in the canal boat and experienced the thrill of the ride relating to Archimedes theory of water displacement.

Kelpies- the largest equine sculptures in the world. Scottish meaning of heifer or colt. Kelpies are said to haunt rivers and streams, usually in the shape of a horse(too much White Horse whiskey I think)

Our B&B at Meigle in the Scottish midlands.

SCOTLAND days 1 and 2

Leaving Ireland via the Ferry (Stenna Lines) and the a bus(coach) to Glasgow.

George square- termed the city centre.

A walk with Guru Free walk tours around Glasgow. Have always said there are 2 ways to see British and European cities. 1. Hop on Hop off 2. Free walk tours. As cars are not allowed in major cities, Hop on, also in parts, The Guru Free Walk Tours( with a tip at the end ) are by far the best way to get local knowledge.

When Nelson Mandela was released from prison, in 1993 Glasgow who had previously given him the freedom of the city, was the first overseas city he visited, too thousands of people, in the pouring rain.

IRELAND and NORTHERN IRELAND

No need for any stories, all anecdotes are on the “Tripping the Isles” WhatsApp and Face Book. Here is a photo collage of the two very different cities.

Northern Ireland

The Belfast city hall has been replicated to the exact design in Durban.

The TITANIC tour is well worth a visit and worth every Pound spent.

The last 2 photos are of the Belmont arena. We went to watch a family friend Tyron Koen who is the SA overseas professional playing for the All Ireland T20 champs CIYMS. Unfortunately they lost the semi final to Lisburn by 4 wickets.

Next posting will come from SCOTLAND.

Ross Castle on Lough Leane, is a 15th century tower house.

Killarney is a town in County Kerry, southwestern Ireland.

Love the sign on one outlet. Killarney Bar.

The highlight for Golfari fans. Killarney has 2 brilliant courses, with Loch Leane part of both courses. Although mainly flat, with narrow fairways and trees on either side. Very well manicured, and on the Wednesday that we were there, well supported.

Killeen course has hosted the IRISH OPEN on 4 separate occasions and sister course Mahony Point, the Woman’s Irish Open in 2003.

Check out the prices to play a game as an International guest. That is 2 games with a cart if one went to Sun City.

Galway to Cliffs of Moher. Travels along the Wild Atlantic way, 120kms down to 100kmph, through villages at60 and 50kmph. Funny going past houses with gates or drive ways just off the road, and cars go flying past at 80kmph. Could be very dangerous if implemented in SA.

264kms travelled during the day. At the Cliffs there were more than 1000 people at 12 Euro each, and the multitude of different languages, proving that Ireland is definitely attracting tourists.

Bristol airport Monday 17th June 07h15 flight to Dublin. Temperature 11degress.

Arrival to an overcast day in Dublin to the same temperature as England. Durban winter is warmer than these Summer parts. Car hire of a Suzuki Swift (Hybrid). Google maps showed only one set of Tolls around Dublin. Forgot to mention the other 2 on the way to Galway.For interest Euro3.7 /3.4 and 2.3. A total of E9.40 or R184. It is cheaper to go to Mtunzini and return. The roads though, even the one lane rural roads are perfect.

Galway- 218kms on M6 and M4. A University city on the West coast of Ireland. Journey in parts with a 120km per hour parts, but like England, speed restrictions and cameras along the very green and lush country side. Very beautiful.

Galway-Guru Free walk talk with Ashleigh. Very informative and interesting.

All in all a busy day one in Ireland.

Originally a wooden fort built by William The Conqueror in 1068, situated on the river Avon in the town of Warwick, County Warwickshire. Rebuilt of stone during the 12th century and remodelled to what it is today.

The visit to the castle was not only entertaining and informative ( all rooms with visual and audio commentary with Madam Tussards lifelike wax figures) and all well worth the cost of entry. Much attention in the grounds outside the Castle walls, is given to the younger generation, with play areas, fantasy maze and much more.

Highlight: Falconers Quest. A journey into the past of Birds of Prey and how well these birds play to the audience, directed by 3 expert Falconers.

Well worth the day out, cool but NO rain.

Let the adventure begin. Wednesday 12th, with Fly Safair, Durban 13 degrees. Arrival in Joburg at 9 degrees. Qatar airways to Doha arriving at 11pm, 35 degrees and this morning arrival in Birmingham to a UK summers day at 7 degrees. What a less than 24 hours temperature swing.

Supper on Qatar was a type of sweet and sour chicken with extras, and breakfast the normal egg type quiche(scrambled egg). Tasty but not as exotic as Emirates.

In Birmingham, there to meet us was the ex South African long term friend Gayle.

This is the first of many a blogs to come out of England, Ireland and Scotland over the next month, with much more to follow from Malta, until the end of September.