UK TRIP 2022 – PART VIII

May 14, 2022

Scotland to Belfast, N. Ireland

We both slept a bit better. After breakfast, we decided to do some laundry since nearly everything was in need of cleaning. After our previous experience with not getting our wash back on time, we decided to go to a self-service launderette and not let our clothes out of our sight.

We Googled the nearest one and discovered the Majestic Launderette. It was over a mile from the hotel, so we loaded our items into one of our wheeled cases. Good choice! It was much easier dragging the case than it would have been to carry the other bag.

We located the place without too much difficulty. The couple who ran it were most helpful. We got change for the machines and for soap. It took over an hour, but in the end, all our clothes were clean.

We went down the street to a cute little restaurant. It was either called N. 1082 or Villa Toscana. I ordered the ham and cheese omelet, and Larry had the open-faced poached egg with salmon. Both were delicious. I ordered a diet coke and Larry a vanilla shake. They had gelato, and it looked wonderful. Larry ordered a scoop of Scotch tablet, and I had Belgian chocolate. Terrific food!

Fortified, we made the trek back to the hotel. We found an easier route on the way back, so, it went a bit faster on the return trip.

We repacked our bags for the next day’s flight and then wrote, answered email, checked in online for our flight, and watched TV. Then to sleep, ready for yet another adventure.

May 15, 2022

After breakfast, we went to the car park to get the car. We had collected the discount ticket from the hotel desk, so we paid the bill using the kiosk. The discount was 50%, so it wasn’t too bad.

After loading our bags into the trunk, we got in. Larry tried to start it. Nothing. He tried again. Same. He did everything he could think of with no success. He got a message that the key fob needed a new battery.

We finally called the rental agency. They said they would send someone right away. When we explained that we had a flight to catch, the lady on the phone said she would make it a priority.

We decided if the assistance hadn’t come in half an hour, we’d drop the key at the desk of the hotel and hire a cab to take us to the airport.

However, the roadside assistance guy came within fifteen minutes. He got behind the wheel—and the car started immediately! He laughed. “Magic fingers.”

We didn’t care what made the difference. The car was running.

Larry asked him how to reach the motorway to get to the airport. Instead of explaining it, he said, “Follow me.” He led the way to the motorway and got on ahead of us going the right direction. He waved as we passed him. We were on our way.

After returning the car, we made our way to the terminal. No hassles this time.

Since we had some time, we decided to eat. It was after one, and every restaurant was packed.

While we waited for a table at Frankie and Benny’s, Larry went to the bar and got us a couple of diet sodas. We had quite a long wait for a table, but we finally got one. I ordered the wedge salad, and Larry got a cheeseburger with fries. The salad was pretty good, except it was LOADED with chopped onions mixed with chopped tomatoes. (I had them leave off the other stuff like olives, but didn’t see onions listed.) I scraped it all off. Still, it wasn’t bad.

After a nice rest, we moved to the waiting area.

Like the last airport, they didn’t post the departure gates until right before the call for the flight. As has been our pattern, our EasyJet flight was delayed for close to an hour after we reached the departure gate. It also boarded with a roll-up stairway, not a jetway. This meant we had to carry our bags onto the plane while climbing a ramp. Larry took his up and then came back for one of my bags. At least, we had reserved seats.

Short, easy flight into Belfast.

We reversed the process of removing our bags via the stairway and walking into the terminal. Then took the long hike to the Hertz car rental desk, only to discover that, although our flight went to the INTERNATIONAL airport, the car was reserved at the Belfast CITY airport! (Cars have been the bane of our existence on this trip.)

The only automatic they had left was a Toyota hybrid—at a premium price. (Like car rental companies throughout the world, the ones there had sold off their fleets during the pandemic. With the shortage of chips, new cars were not available at any price. So, everyone was short of cars to rent.)

We had no choice—again. So, we took the one they had. Since our departure flight would leave from the City Airport, they made the return for there. We hoped it would work.

Once again, the car had no GPS, and we had no wi-fi or Bluetooth. And, of course, the car rental company had no paper maps. We did have our Rick Steves guide book on Ireland, and it had a map. It showed the major routes. So, we were able to get on the motorway into the center of Belfast. The book also had a city map of Belfast. We located the Europa Hotel, BUT with all the one-way streets, we couldn’t figure out how to get there!

Once again, we called the hotel. This time we reached the concierge, Philip [Leckey]. Thank God for him! We told him where we were, and he quickly and efficiently talked us right to the door, where he came out to greet us.

My “sis,” Kathleen, had named her first son Philip. I felt as though she had sent our Philip to us! It felt like a good omen.

He also took care of valet service for us.

[During out stay, he purchased a copy of Book 1 of Larry’s sci-fi series. Before we left, he told us he had enjoyed it. He was a lifesaver during our stay in Belfast!]

It had been a long day, so we got ready and went to bed, glad to be started on the last leg of the trip.