In Dublin's Fair City

When I was little I used to love 'Molly Malone' and get Mom to sing it over and over.  I took a certain glee in the part where she dies and her ghost continues to push the wheelbarrow.  Strangely, 'Puff the Magic Dragon' used to reduce me to tears, and nobody dies at all.  I was a strange child.

After a lovely time in Barcelona, Irene and I hopped on a plane bound for Dublin and caught an airport bus to our hotel. 

I'm drinking coffee and Irene is drinking tea--an alcohol-free photo!

View from our room!

We had a lovely time in Dublin doing the tourist thing (visiting the statues of Oscar Wilde and Molly Malone, drinking a pint in Temple Bar, wandering through St. Stephen's Green and the Grafton Street shops).  We even did a tour of the old Jameson's distillery, where Irene participated in a whiskey tasting (she was torn between liking the Jameson's or the Johnny Walker best, but the Jack Daniels did not go down well).

Chatting with Oscar

Grafton Street--yep, he brings his piano to busk!

The Tart with the Cart!

Whiskey tasting at the Jameson's Distillery--note she has a glass in each hand :-)

Cheers!

After Irene's April Fools departure for Florida (bye travel buddy!  Have fun in the sun in the States!), I settled in to fish-sit for a family friend in Sandymount, where I've been relaxing, blogging relentlessly in an effort to catch up before Jana and I start the Camino, and walking along Sandymount Strand. It's been lovely.  Thanks a million Marie! 

Finally cooking for myself again!  And...vegetables make an appearance! Oh how I've missed you!

They look hopeful because it's supper time!

Today we headed for Power's Court for a little brunch (yum!  Fishcake with actual fish in it, and three vegetable salads which included fresh carrot, beat, broccoli and some feta!) and a stroll through the gardens.  What an amazing sunny day!

Power's Court gate

Fountain!

My hostess in the gardens

Tulips!

Would you, could you, in a tree?

I wish I had a picture with people for reference...this tree is ENORMOUS!

In the Japanese part of the gardens

And that's it!  I'm actually caught up!  Right now I'm relaxing in Sandymount, drinking a gin and tonic and watching The Wedding Planner (I know...I'm a lost cause).  In a few days I'm off to visit my friend Andrew in England, so I should have time for one more post before Jana and I begin our next big adventure.  Talk to you soon!

-K-