Fishguard, Goodwick & Preparing for the Ferry to Ireland
A night in Wales
After a long travel day — and a rather unexpected change of plans — we finally arrived in Goodwick, where the little harbor town beside Fishguard would be our home for the evening before the ferry to Ireland the following afternoon. We were especially glad to have arrived.
By the time we reached the Glendower Hotel, we were more than ready to settle in. The hotel is an old, well worn local landmark, yet tidy and clean. The Glendower is full of character and proudly displaying a few opinions of its own.
It was hard to resist taking a photograph.
The Glendower Hotel clearly has a sense of humor—and, judging by the sign, perhaps a slightly different approach to customer service.
One couldn’t help but smile.
Early the next morning before the ferry, I walked the streets of Goodwick to get a feel for the community.
Goodwick is a charming little harbor town, with a mixture of older buildings, newer homes and the unmistakable signs of a working coastal community.
As I casually meandered through the early morning streets, a middle aged Welchman approached me from behind and said “You backpack isn’t fully closed”, I turned and thanked him, soon to realize that it wasn’t about the backpack.
“I am also a photographer he said. Can I show you my favorite photograph of the church? “Please” I said, looking up on the hill ahead was a rather majestic steeple rising above the town. I said… I see it I would like to photograph it”.
He simply smiled and said “Not that one, the corrugated church”.
I obviously had a curious look and he said… “Follow me, it’s my favorite”.
A little farther along, an old weathered building caught my eye. Its peeling paint, arched windows and worn facade. It almost to belong to another time.
I looked at it and thanked him, stating that, like at home the power company always places power poles & wires in the best photo locations.
Curiously he said… “Well they are leading lines guiding our eyes to the subject.”
“I never looked at it that way, thank you, and thank you for bringing me here.”
My mind wandered to the dreams of the people before, who dedicated so much time into what was such an important part of their lives, so tattered & worn today.
It’s curios how something so simple can turn a head, lead you in a totally new direction.
If given a chance.
The Road to Ireland
Eventually, it was time to leave Goodwick and make our way to Fishguard for the ferry to Ireland. Wales had given us an unexpected final evening — one filled with delays, detours and a few memorable encounters.
