Day 204, 2 Jan '15, Wexford Waterfront, Shops, St Selskar's Abbey. We finally made it to Wexford today and can confirm that we have some sort of reverse Midas touch when it comes to parking in Ireland. Aside from anything else, the majority of the country's GDP appears to come from parking fees. We however are repeatedly demonstrating the ability to drive into the most expensive car park in town. Had rather hoped we'd dodged a bullet today, since the payment machine wasn't working and the arm was up... but they'd installed a human by the time we returned. Darn. Had a meander along the waterfront and cleaned the Information Centre out of brochures. Vewy, vewy cold day (but fine). All sensible rabbits are well hidden away. Once we'd grabbed a map of the town we headed along the High Street and window shopped the quaint spots - Joan even bought a souvenir for home - a sign with "Cead Mile Failte" or "A Hundred Thousand Welcomes". Very nice. We had a look at the outside of St Selskar's church and abbey. Closed for the season but quite amazing to see even from the outside. Quite often with these historical sites, people have built right up to the boundaries. Pretty sure there are council flats right next door to this site. A sad story in its past - Founded in the late 12th century, it was dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul. It's current name, Selskar's, is linked to "sepulchre". Local tradition has it that it was founded by Alexander Roche who returned from a crusade to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem only to find his true love (believing him dead) had retired to a convent as a nun. Roche gave in (rather easily we thought) and took himself off in a huff to a monastery. Honestly. The abbey itself was used for synods and parliaments over the centuries, but only the square tower still stands. The roofless church was of much later construction. Moving along we tried fruitlessly to find somewhere enticing for a late lunch, but eventually gave in and drove home for Christmas cake, coffee, walkies up the paddock and an early dinner. All good and many more excursions to come.