Rowan Tree and Red Thread

Back to Cork after a few days visiting family and friends in Dublin, the bustling heart of the Celtic Tiger. I felt it was a very successful trip, with a chance to eat out a couple of times, hang out with my mother, brother and soon-to-be sister-in-law, and hook up for lunch twice with old friends I've been blogging with recently but haven't really had much time face to face with in years. I also managed to get some Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (a weakness of mine) and several new books (a weakness of my whole bloodline).

Rowan was the star of the trip. She handled the train journey up to Dublin well and without any real complaint, was sweetness itself with the relatives and didn't pull the cats' tails. I was particularly happy to see her so comfortable and amused by my brother. Rowan doesn't always take well to new men and she's been a bit cautious of my brother in the past. This time, however, she was in there giggling and headbutting him, chasing him around the house and generally being entertained by his antics as she entertained him with her own. They were perfectly happy with one another and I was delighted.

Queenie made a lunch date in the Writers' Musuem very pleasant. I hadn't seen Queenie in a very long time, and it was great to catch up again in person. I was somewhat startled by her long hair, as my college memories had her in a perpetual close-cut, and also pleasantly surprised by her instant rapport with Rowan. With a moment's reflection it's obvious that she'd be perfect as a disreputable auntie with all the dirt on parents she knew in college. We sat in the Garden of Remembrance, comfortably sharing memories and plans. Once in a while, all the time passing doesn't mean much.

Meeting up with leedy added to her recent whirl of LJ related outings. We hardly count as LJ-friends as there's a long history stretching back through our college days, but living in Cork makes LJ important for keeping in touch so I'll give her two points for sammywol and me. We met in the Alliance Francaise, where I indulged in a brie sandwich despite the best advice of my urologist. I suppose he doesn't want to see me back in with another kidney stone anytime soon, but I can't resist proper brie. We chatted and munched our way through lunch, and it appears that we'll have another chance to meet leedy later in the month when her band performs in the cultural capital. Isn't that always the way? No Dublin friends for ages and then two come along (practically) at once.

Our Dublin trip also afforded us with our first trip on the Luas. Dublin's new tram system turns out to work very nicely, surprisingly. I had moments of confusion gliding smoothly along familiar streets that felt newly strange to me. It was a curious mixture of a Parisian feeling with a Dublin setting. I am not at all used to efficient public transport in Dublin.

I'd better wrap up now. My daughter Rowan has emerged from her nap and will doubtless want computer time at the CBeebies website.