Dublin Evening Cityscapes. . . . . . . .

Just a few snaps from our first evening in the city. Luckily our great hotel is right

 in the center, on the River Liffey and within walking distance of much of interest.

Crowds arrived yesterday, just like us, some crossing the Liffey by the 

pedestrian Ha'penny Bridge.

We managed to stay up all day - the best way when missing a real night's

sleep on the previous overnight flight - just showered late afternoon and then out

for a light pub bite and a long walk. The sunshine and comfortable temperatures

certainly made arriving here most enjoyable. . . . . . . and the friendly and 

incredibly helpful Dubliners have already made things really fun.

Looking forward to discovering more of Bob's paternal family roots.

Having an Irish name here seems a great way to make new friends.

I've only brought my little Nikon point and shoot again - it's does OK and is

 so much easier to carry/charge etc. 

Off now on a busy day full of local sightseeing here in the city.

Entire weekend weather forecast continues to look really perfect - a true

Irish blessing I do believe!

Enjoy your weekend wherever.

Raleigh to London to Dublin. . . . . . . .

. . . . . . really was a long journey, about 23 hours door to door.

Smooth flight but oh those main cabin seats - they get more uncomfortable 

every time we fly. Needless to say, little or no sleep during the 7.5 hours

aloft all night. 

But we made it and are now unpacked and comfortable in our 

bright and spacious Dublin hotel room overlooking the 

River Liffey.

At Heathrow during our layover I looked but didn't buy! 

Leaving very busy Heathrow and heading West across the Irish Sea.

Coming in for our landing in Dublin - what a perfect day for flying.

Almost too exhausted to take photos, but snapped the river outside the hotel

 before coming in to unpack and have a short little rest. . . . .lying flat rather than

 scrunched up in an uncomfortable plane seat. We'll pop out early evening for a look

 around and a light meal. The weather is absolutely fabulous - and it should remain

 this way for our entire five days here in the city. Then we'll be touring around the

 beautiful countryside south and west of Ireland. . . . . .more likely in rain.

My first Irish experience has been very nice - the welcome at the hotel was

wonderful, and a sweet Irish lass just delivered chocolates to our door.

What more can one hope for!

Green, glorious, cool and wet. . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . all expected as we travel through much of Ireland's

beautiful countryside over the next few weeks.

Waterproof boots and jackets packed,

umbrella at the ready!

So dear readers, off we go to the Emerald Isle. Am I ready? No, not quite. 

Will I ever be ready? Not if I stay here blogging!

I'll try to post now and then, and hopefully can share some photos

along the way. 

Yesterday in my garden.
Sad to leave when all is green and blooming . . . . . . . . . .
and the Carolina wrens have just built another nest in the wall basket
 by the front door under the COTTAGE sign.
Our front porch is very popular this Spring.
Sadly I'll miss seeing these new family members as they will most 
likely have hatched and fledged by the time I'm back!

Tonight we fly across the pond to Heathrow, London, then straight on to

 Dublin in the morning ~ returning by the same route beginning of June.

 Will catch up with you then.
Be good to yourselves.