Saturday, April 25 was a beautiful day and perfect to explore Waterford city and surrounds. We were perfectly placed on the greenway to visit both Mount Congreve gardens and the city itself. The gardens were magnificent and literally next door to our park up. They also had loos which is always a bonus!

After a lovely couple of hours walking around the gardens, we then cycled into town along the Waterford Greenway. It obviously well used and well cared for. It stretches for over 45km from Waterford to Dungarvan. A joy to cycle into a city safely and away from cars. It even had a tourist train for part of the way with various art installations.

Waterford itself, apart from the Viking Triangle, underwhelmed us but looking at the photos maybe we are being a bit harsh! The city was founded in 914AD as a Viking trading post and the ensuing battlements saw plenty of action, including when the Cromwell’s New Model Army besieged the town. It was originally Ireland’s capital city and even had its own mint. The cathedral disappointed as the original one was knocked down in the 1800s and replaced with a fairly boring Georgian one. A quick look around the Waterford Crystal shop was rewarded with a replica of the Solheim Cup, the women’s biannual golf match between USA and Europe. After wandering round the city, we all decided we needed a beer on a rooftop terrace before cycling back to the vans for dinner.

On Sunday morning, April 27, we left mid morning to make our way all of 9 miles to Waterford Golf Club where we played 18 holes. They were very hospitable both in the bar afterwards and also by letting us stay in their car park overnight.

Miles since last blog: 9

Miles this trip 397