August 1986:

Depart Raynes Park (south London) at 3 p.m. on a 156 bus to Morden tube station, tube to Victoria for the 6 p.m. coach to Dublin. Rain clouds gathering as we pulled out. The coach was struck by something driving through a flood near Chester -- cracked n/s windscreen. No replacement coach available, so on we go. Arrived at Holyhead at 1 a.m. -- no ferry (due to sail at 2.30 a.m)!!! It eventually docked at 4.30. Coach drives on -- then announcement from ship's captain that it was a force 10 gale, and he would have to wait until conditions improved. Eventually set sail at 7.30 p.m. (yes, over 26 hours since getting off the 156)!!! Only food left at that stage was very tired watercress sandwiches!!! Into Dun Laoghaire at 11.00 p.m. and on to special buses provided by CIE. Mine was MG105 which served Swords, Skerries, Balbriggan, Drogheda and on to Dundalk. Into bed at 2.30 a.m. or so, after a 36 hour journey.......... Holyhead in a force 10 gale, never again!!!!