I’m in an internet cafe in Dublin, here to give you an update. This city is so NOISY! Having a lovely time. Did an open top bus tour yesterday, which barely lasts an hour since the city itself is so small. Stopped at several pubs to try the beer (research, if you will). Visited the library at Trinity College which was amazing. Floor to ceiling books, all old, all leatherbound, ladders for each shelf. I took some pictures so that I could explain to Michelle how I would like our library to look like when we build our mansion on the beach in Australia!

Inside the library the Book of Kells is also on display. The book is thought to be one of the oldest books in the world, it is a manuscript written about 800 AD in Latin of four gospels. The illustrations are so fine and beautiful – an absolutely amazing experience.

Then last night we did a Literary Pub Crawl which was good fun. All the guidebooks said, “don’t worry, you won’t look like a tourist”. I don’t know where they came from…. a group of 25 people, camera’s slung over the shoulder, following two irish actors into and out of pubs for two and a quarter hours, quaffing beers down before being hustled to the next pub with a loud bell… tourists? no… couldn’ae be…

Today I have on my list to visit the Photographic Museum, do a Historical Walking Tour of Dublin, visit the Modern Art Gallery and perhaps a spin in Phoenix Park, tea at the Shelbourne Hotel – and if I have time – I’ll try to catch the Australian movie ‘Japanese Story’ which although not particularly relevant to tourism in Dublin, is supposed to be excellent all the same, and I’m certain I don’t want to miss it again….

So, I’m off to brave the streets of Dublin once again. We return to Glasgow tonight for a day before heading off again for a weekend in the Peak District to do some hillwalking…

Have a great day!