Today we woke to rough seas and fog. The ship has really been rocking. We could hear the horn blowing in the fog. It is kind of spooky. Then periodically, some helpful person mentions that we are on the same route followed by the Titanic in 1912. Makes you feel real secure.

On 9-12, we got to Dublin. This time there was no problem and we got our tour. We rode through the city to the castle remains of Powerscourt. The castle burned in 1974, but the gardens, which had been put together over two centuries, survived. Through the years, the owners had traveled around the world and gathered threes and plants from a lot of places. It was beautiful. There was walking trails, fountains and even mosaic steps. I had to be careful on the steps because it was hard to tell where the steps were in the mosaic stones. Looking out over the Wicklow Mountains made for some spectacular scenes and pictures.

After we went got back to Dublin, we were free to walk and shop. Brandi chose to go shopping while I opted for the National Museum. I spent 2 1/2 hours there and could have spent several more. It traced Irish history back to pre-historic times, Romans, Vikings and forward. I made it to the Middle Ages when they ran me out so they could close. BooHoo.

The next day we were scheduled for Cork, Ireland. The dock is on a island called Cobh (pronounced like Cove). Cork itself is 25 miles away. We had a tour for the Waterford Factory and didn't actually go into Cork. The factory is about a 2 hour drive across the SE corner of Ireland. Beautiful country!!

We toured the factory and learned the ingredients of crystal (which I promptly forgot so don't ask), how the components are melted, shaped and etched to make the fine crystal of Waterford and Wedgewood pottery. We shopped some and then drove around the town and viewed ancient walls from the time of the Vikings. Both Dublin and Cork were settled by Viking Raiders.

The next 3 days were sea days. There's lots to do on board, many planned activities. Also, we get together with new friends and play games like Rummy Cube or cards.

On the 17th we will dock in St. Johns, Newfoundland. We have a tour called Rum and Rascals. More history, I love it.

More later. Stay tuned. TA TA.