Down Memory Lane

 Went to view a rental this morning. Got a call this afternoon that I got the house!! No small feat in Ireland, I can tell you that. So will be moving from my Air BnB next weekend. Cutting it fine!!

So a little good news there.

After the viewing this morning I went for a trip into Dublin city. What a little trip down memory lane that was!

This non-descript door in North Great Georges street was the front door to my apartment building back in 2002. I lived on the top floor in the smallest 2 bedroom apartment you have ever seen. It was just me, so suited me fine.

Right on top there, where the small windows are. That was me. Lived there for two years. When I was still young and handsome.

And this was my local. Many a night was spent in that pub. We had the best of times, we had the worst of times. 

This is Moore Street. There was a market here every weekend back in the day. Obviously all closed up now due to COVID. Will have to see if the market is still going. Used to buy most of my fruit and veg here back then. 

Still here!! The Tesco in the Jervis Centre in Henry Street. This was my go-to supermarket. Always on a Sunday morning once a month. All the groceries you can carry! The rest of the centre has changes, but Tesco is still there. 

And this was my bus stop to get to work. Every morning :-)

When I first moved to Ireland in August 2001, I happened to stay in the hostels in Trinity College for a couple of days while I looked for somewhere to stay. The internet was in it's infancy, Facebook was not even an idea yet, and it was not possible to look for a more permanent place to stay online. You had to take what you could and sort it out from there. This was my "take what you can get" at that time. 

I will have to go and look for my other haunts at some point when it is easier to get around.

Until then, I will be getting myself geared to move into more permanent accommodations. 

Happy days.

Easter Break - Port Elizabeth

 Typically, when we decide to go on a quick, short, holiday break, the heavens will open and it will start raining. No difference this weekend.

We flew down to Port Elizabeth for the Easter break. Just to get away, and for the wife and mother in law to visit family. 

Arriving in PE, it was raining, so we got into the car and drove around, looking for something out of the ordinary. We came across the Grass Roof restaurant which has, wait for it, a grass roof. Nice food, good service. Would recommend.

In-between the bouts of rain, the sun did sometimes show it's face. The plus side of terrible weather is that the beaches are all but deserted.

We did the obligatory visit to the PE Aquarium where Enzo got to handle a Python. The face says it all...

 Nariko was absolutely fascinated by the Penguins, and I am sure that, if she could, she would bring one with her back home. I wonder if it would enjoy the pool?

With the mother-in-law visiting her brother, we headed out to Jeffreys Bay, because you always have to go for lunch at the Kitchen Windows. This is our favorite restaurant in the area. Absolutely love it.

I can definitely recommend this one. http://www.kitchenwindows.co.za/

The view from our table at Kitchen Windows

Enzo spotted a super tube in Jeffreys, and there was no stopping him. Cold on no.

The rain let up for the last day or so, and although not too toasty, it did turn into more holiday weather. So off we went. Ice cream on the beach and some fun in the waves.

While we were on the beach an photographer came past and asked if he could take a photo of Enzo and Nariko for the local paper. We said yes, no problem. Not thinking much of it. When we got back Narina's uncle sent this picture across. You know you enjoyed your holiday when it makes the papers.