Cork City

Probably, the best job in the world ... ...
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The trip got off to a disasterous start as one of our bags had been opened and Robs' digital camera had been stolen somewhere between Liverpool departures and Cork arrivals.

So we lost an hour reporting the theft to the Ryanair staff and the police at Cork Airport. Grabbed the car and headed off in search of our guest house in Cork City.

Western Road could be renamed Guesthouse Road as pretty much all of the houses have been converted into B & B Guesthouses. A pleasant 10 minute stroll takes you into the city centre. St.Patricks street is the main shopping area and it has been the subject of some very tasteful renovation. First stop was to replace the stolen camera with a disposable job and then after a quick whizz round the shops it was time for Rob to try his first ( of many ) pint of real genuine Irish Guinness. It turns out that the black stuff served in Ireland tastes no better or worse than the stuff we get in England. However, the overall experience is much better. As you sit in a small pub with the fire roaring and the rain druming on the windows in tune with the diddle -e- dee rythms of the live traditional music being played, the Guinness does seem to go down even smoother than usual.