A Princess tour day, so we had to set the alarm, though it was a respectable 8:45am meet in the Symphony dining room. We were berthed on the port side and of course, there was a Vodafone signal.
On the way down in the lift, we met 9 year old Jake from California, travelling with his grandparents. Oh boy. Was this kid clued up on of all things, snakes! Facts and figures spilled out in a constant stream and we thought we'd stump him with a question that stumped Alex and Teri and appeared in Mark Turner's Trivia quiz, three years ago.
Had he heard of a bandi-bandi? Yes, he had. "A black and white snake native to Australia…" However, we asked him if there were snakes in NZ and he was absolutely convinced that there were, when of course, there are none, not even in zoos. One up for the oldies.
One really annoying part of cruising is the continual imposition of photographers and in this instance, they totally blocked the gangway so that those not wanting yet another pic had to wait behind. It is about time they moved them away from the gangway and gave people an option. We shouldn't have to face a 50m slow moving queue getting off! Getting on it is expected.
Coach #2 yellow with Roseanne as our guide. Just 26 of us on that coach and I suspect that after reading this, maybe others should consider this tour if in Cobh next year.
Billed as a trip to Waterford, almost 2 hours away, with a tour of the working Waterford Crystal factory, time on your own, then a brief call to Lismore Castle.
Roseanne was a solid, cheerful soul, who reminded me very much of the series, "Father Ted". She could have been Ted's sister, as everything was 'fantastic' and a double laugh with every other sentence. Quite charming in its own way.
A steady run to Waterford along mainly narrow roads, often slowed by the traffic ahead. A pleasant enough place and we were led into the 'Hibernian' gift shop, where there was also a toilet facility and cafe. Although it was reasonably early, the gentleman in front of me grabbed the last three scones, so I had a mediocre machine made coffee whilst Paula browsed.
We met Roseanne at the pre-arranged time ready for an 11:40am tour of the Waterford Crystal factory. This is a new building and without going into the history, the firm folded some years ago; the old factory was demolished and then new Finnish owners decided in 2009, to build a new factory in Waterford, to do what we'd call 'the prestige' part of the range. I have no idea where the bulk stuff is made, but it could be in CZ?
I love factory visits and have an insatiable thirst for manufacturing procedures, whether sewn products or cars and everything in between. Bear in mind we'd been to the Murano glass factory just a few weeks ago and weren't allowed to take photographs of the finished items, just the three minute display. Waterford were more than happy for you to take photographs in the showroom and even the manufacturing process – and that included video. I'd opted to take the video camera and managed most of the processes before running out of battery, whilst Paula took most of the stills.
Whilst in the queue, we chatted to Sean, who was to be one of our tour guides. What an utterly charming man, who was pleased to know that Paula had a maternal Irish ancestry. Once past the opening audio visual presentation, we were split into two groups and we very smartly made sure we were in Sean's group, rather than young Connor's, as I had a feeling that Sean would be the perfect guide – and I was right.
This ranks as one of the best commentated factory tours I have ever done and the fact that Sean was a glass cutter for 40 years and probably knew all the current staff by name, certainly helped.
From glass blowing to moulding, then through the various stages including marking and cutting, this was a fascinating tour, with every opportunity to watch these craftsmen (and women) at work, close up. As I mentioned earlier, this unit does the specials and trophies and some of the work was just amazing, so Paula's favourite, the Cinderella coach and horses, was a whopping €40,000.
Young Jake's other passion apart from snakes (and sharks apparently) is trains, so he was stoked to be allowed to sit alongside a crystal diesel locomotive. The glass rugby ball was another favourite and I have Paula on video with that one.
At the end of the tour, by which time Sean had virtually adopted Paula, he suggested a photograph whilst holding a lead crystal bowl. A great hour and a top class tour guide. This was a highlight of our total trip to date and we can strongly recommend it. Sean certainly was one reason but no doubt other guides will be just as informative. When we get back to easy internet access, I'll do the Tripadvisor bit, but not whilst on the ship.
Back to more mundane matters, we spied the street notices threatening a €150 fine for dropping chewing gum. It obviously wasn't a 100% successful deterrent, but a notice I'd like to see in a few more cities and towns.
It was getting rather chilly so we retreated to a Costa's (they certainly seem to be everywhere, but we may as well get the loyalty points) and shared a toasted sandwich as it started to spot with rain and then we were back at the coach at 2pm.
On then for a brief (45 minute) stop at Lismore for the castle, but we opted for a cuppa and scone each. A large pot of tea and the scones were equally large and warm, but what I really craved funnily enough, was something savoury, like fish and chips! Not a very exciting stop and best viewed as a comfort stop and just a journey breaker.
Back at the ship a little after 5pm, so too late to do anything else as it was all aboard 5:30pm anyway. We were on the wrong side of the ship to hear the Cobh brass band, but as World Cruise passengers will know, when their cruise is in town, they make it Australia Day and a big fuss. The Royal was in a week ago on the reverse itinerary to ours, so less of a big deal for them.
We skipped the dining room and enjoyed German night in the Horizon court.
Afterwards, we went to our Allegro dining room to officially change to "Any time dining", though I suspect we'll probably stick to the Horizon Court buffet anyway.
The theatre show was Irish singer, guitar and piano player, Alan Kavagnah. A decent performer with mainly Irish stuff, which was appropriate.
As expected, I'm running a little late with the blog…
Tomorrow, a return to Dublin and depending on the weather – which isn't looking too flash - it may be the HoHo bus again, but we have purchased the $8 each way Princess shuttle tickets to town.
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