Visit to Bray

 So on St. Stephen’s day the weather let up and we were able to do a quick trip to Bray for the afternoon. I really love Bray beach, and the way the sun came and went it really made some photograph fun.

In the summer months Bray is usually teeming with people, but during the winter months it is more manageable. That said, it was quite busy.

As an added bonus, there were some, almost proper waves. A rare enough site in the Irish sea, and definitely something I miss from South Africa.

The Bray Harbour is home to a Swan Sanctuary. This I never knew. There are 60 muted swans at home here. You can read more about them on their Facebook page

More info on Bray can be found in Wikipedia. There is also a website dedicated to the town at Bray.ie

Christmas in Dublin

As I mentioned previously, living in Ireland is like living in a picture book. Well, I think Christmas probably tops that. Everybody goes into festive mood, and then the Christmas lights come out…

This year I did not get round much, and not a lot of pictures was taken, but I promise to do better next year. That said, below are some of the pics taken this year. Mostly in Dublin around Henry and O’Connell streets, and then some of the houses near my home that put on a lovely display.

Lockdown Christmas

 It's been a strange old year alright.

First the world imploded on itself. Then I moved all the way across the world. Then my family cannot move because of COVID variants and all silly things like that. 

And now it is Christmas. 

And I am sitting all by myself in Ireland. 

Not the best way to end a year, but at least this year is ending. Not one I will easily forget.

At least there are Christmas lights. 

So here are some from the neighbourhood. Merry Christmas.

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.

(Almost) new beginnings

 Just when you thing everything is grand, and life is peachy, 2020 happens. So here I am, in the middle of a worldwide pandemic, and I have just landed in my new home.

Now, I have to admit, I am not entirely new to Ireland, and Dublin specifically. In fact, it is almost 18 years to the day that I first arrived in Dublin. It is this familiarity with Ireland and the Irish standards that has sparked interest in my abilities, and has ultimately led to my appointment. That, and the fact that once again, there is a rather large skills shortage in Ireland.

Now, the trip over here was interesting and frustrating, to say the least. The South African government has made it all but impossible for anybody to leave the country, and I had to jump through some hoops to get out, eventually catching a repatriation flight for Europeans from South Africa, departing from the Netherland Embassy. To say that flying out of an all but abandoned OR Tambo Airport was an experience it putting it mildly.

Then, obviously, sitting on the aircraft with masks in place, even sleeping (or trying to) with a mask on. Running around a very quiet Schipol Airport with the same mask still in place and eventually arriving in Dublin where I now have to self isolate for 14 days in an Air B&B.

I'm tired. Really tired. Not much sleep on the plane last night, so properly bushed. Checked into the Air BnB. Going to catch some Z's now. I start working tomorrow. The company will drop over Laptop and the other necessities tomorrow. No rest for the wicked.