Happy Birthday, billytea!

Hey, Nilly.

Hi Nilly!

Happy birthday, billytea.

I have some new pictures from Dublin: [link]

Things to do to stay awake while working nights: teach yourself how to throw a ball left/opposite-handed. I've got some natural inclination, since I'm a born lefty forced righty, so it wasn't too tough to get the motion down, but the accuracy leaves a lot to be desired. After the 5th time hitting the corner of the door frame/door handle/swing arm resulted in a wild ricochet that endangered someone's desk I've decided to give it a rest for now.

Excellent pictures, SA.

Visiting Dublin is on my "gotta do someday" list, if only to admire the Book of Kells in the flesh. Then perhaps a jaunt up north to Drogheda to see cousin Oliver's head.

Thanks, dcp! The Book of Kells is one super-touristy attraction that is completely worth every penny and any trouble. I'm going to see it again, once the tourist throngs have died down.

Kalshane, I hope your escape goes better than Capt. Hilts's did.

Nice pictures SA. And now I miss Dublin...

I don't think I've been to Howth since I was about six though, weirdly. Was that Malahide cricket club? I've been there a few times, but I odn't remember it being all countrysidey. It looks pretty.

I have no idea which Cricket team was playing; I was just delighted they were. Howth was actually a bit of a disappointment, because while the beach looked gorgeous, it was only accessibly by private houses, and so we couldn't actually walk along it. We walked down the wharf, which was okay but smelled way too much like fish. And the view wasn't as pretty as Malahide. There was a nice farmer's market down there, which is worth remembering because I'm sure it will be closing up soon, for the weather.

Malahide, on the other hand, was charming and lovely. You can tell there's some real wealth there, but the only ostentation bit was the marina. The beach was wonderful and so many people were out for the day. But Malahide Castle was just a treat because the grounds were *huge* and everyone treated it like a massive park. It was a nice walk from the town centre to the castle, though it was very long; and by the time we reached the castle we were starving and had a lovely lunch in the restaurant in the castle basement. Afterwards we just sat on the grass and watched the clouds move.

That sounds like a fabulous day.

which is worth remembering because I'm sure it will be closing up soon, for the weather.

I don't know, there's a farmer's market by my house every Sunday that's open-air and keeps up right through the winter. There's fewer stalls on the really horrific days, but coming up to Christmas everyone shows up again. I'll try and bring you when I get back.

Huh. Flea and I have been wearing exactly the same jeans for the last 20 years.

I'm thinking 20 years ago, flea may still have been in Tuff Skins.

For the record, 20 years ago I think I was in Esprit juniors; it *was* 1986, you know. But make it 17 years ago and I was into the Levis.