We have been spending Christmas with my parents in Northern Ireland and are on the Belfast to Birkenhead ferry today which is usually an 8 hour crossing. We sailed out of Belfast for about 45 minutes only to be told that the ferry was turning round and going back to Belfast because of a sick dog on board.
I’m not a great animal lover but neither am I an animal hater so if the dog is sick I guess we have to go back but it is going to be a long long day on this ferry!
Miserable here too, after a passable start. The garden is sodden. One good thing - there's not much wind, which will make the Irish Sea crossing more bearable.
------------- Always edited for sloppy typing - when I spot it!
Well, although the whole returning to dock episode meant we left Belfast 1.5 hours late, the ferry made up some of the time on the way and we ended up arriving back in Birkenhead only half an hour late. The Irish Sea was a bit choppy round the Isle of Man but other than that it was a good crossing.
It’s nice to be home! Now I have 4 days to recover before I have to go back to work!
does that mean there are three of us we know of live on the Wirral?
------------- New Year: Hesketh Bank
Feb/March: Red Squirrel
March: lakes
June: Morecambe
Aug: Lake District(not camping camping)
October: Red Squirrel
I think Pixie_Hez lives in Liverpool. Impressive speed back, by the way - didn't lose that much time at all! Alan29 lives (or used to live) on Wirral if I remember rightly.
------------- Always edited for sloppy typing - when I spot it!
It's a long time since I was in N.Ireland, and I've no desire to go back.
However... Birkenhead? I remember there used to be an ad. for ferry crossings to Ireland with the slogan, "Stran, Hey, Holy, Fish". These referred to the ports of Stranraer, Heysham, Holyhead and Fishguard.
The Stranraer route stopped some years ago, although it's been replaced by Cairnryan. Don't know about the other routes.
------------- Two drifters off to see the world.
I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.
fwiw I wouldnt ever take what we call the Liverpool ferry, its a notoriously long and difficult crossing, often late. Much easier imo to drive 2 hrs to Dublin and nip over to Holyhead.
Quote: Originally posted by Capt Lightning on 31/12/2021
It's a long time since I was in N.Ireland, and I've no desire to go back.
However... Birkenhead? I remember there used to be an ad. for ferry crossings to Ireland with the slogan, "Stran, Hey, Holy, Fish". These referred to the ports of Stranraer, Heysham, Holyhead and Fishguard.
The Stranraer route stopped some years ago, although it's been replaced by Cairnryan. Don't know about the other routes.
NI is similar to Scotland, some nice bits, some not so nice. Im sure you have your reasons. All the ferries you list still run, to Belfast, Warrenpoint (freight only I think), Dublin and Rosslare respectively.
Quote: Originally posted by heath63 on 31/12/2021
does that mean there are three of us we know of live on the Wirral?
I live in Liverpool but work in Chester so I am up and down the wirral like a yo-yo!
Pre covid we never used the Birkenhead to Belfast ferry as I was not keen on the 8 hours at sea. We always drove up to Cairnryan and did the short crossing to Belfast. However, last Christmas we decided to give it a go as it meant we could get to the ferry easily from home without having to stop and use motorway toilets and then we could close ourselves away in our cabin to keep away from people as I was very worried about taking covid over to my parents who are in their late 80s. It was a really good experience even though the outward crossing was a little rough so we did it again in August, this time on the new Stena ferry which was really nice. It will probably be our route of choice now that both ferries on the route are new. It also saves my husband the long drive! We have done Holyhead to Dublin a few times as well but the journey from Dublin to where my parents live is not the best so arriving into Belfast is definitely the best option for us.
I gather that the idea of a bridge between Scotland and N.Ireland has been abandoned. IMO, it was a totally daft idea.
I lived in N.Ireland many years ago and went to Queens University in the late 60's. I expect it has changed somewhat since then and the people I knew have all left.
One very early memory was the night that the Princess Victoria sank on its way from Stranraer to Larne. I used to watch the sea when it was rough and I remember my father taking me to watch the waves that day.That evening I remember my father saying that the ship was in trouble and the lifeboat had been launched.
I don't remember the "Victoria" (I was only 2 1/2 when it sank), but two other ships, The Princess Margaret and the Hampton Ferry sailed between Stranraer and Larne for many years.
------------- Two drifters off to see the world.
I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Looks like a long day ahead!
via mobile 30/12/2021 at 12:42pm
