Cobh, Ireland

We took a bus, or a coach as they say here, to Blarney. The guide told us that it rains only twice a week here – once for three days and again for four more. But, for us, today the weather was very pleasant with no rain. The landscape in Ireland is as beautiful as we have been told. And it is very green. We waited in a long line to climb to the top of an old castle where the famous Blarney stone waits millions of lips. Melodee wouldn’t kiss it, and only allowed me to get into kissing position – on my back hanging with my head upside down. That is a very strange Irish tradition and some of it feels like a big joke on all the rest of us.

When we returned to port the city of Cobh had come out in full force to send our ship on its way. They had a band and hundreds of people where lined up on the docks and by the sea waving good-bye to us. There were many sailboats and pleasure craft that escorted our ship out of the harbor. The Irish were so friendly and genuine. Our captain sounded the ships horn with a “fond cheerio”.