The Dublin Port reception building was a huge improvement on the sad Hollyhead dock. Somone had invested some money. We decided not to board the bus but to walk into the ciy. This was possibly our girst mistake as the port road i long with many lorrie with huge containers passing us by regularly. But a bonus was seeing the final roundabout with a road sign that said Belfast, something I never imagined seeing.
We then turned left toward the city and met the River Liffey. The river is pretty straight at this point of its journey so it was easy to turn right and follow its banks into th city. Th first bridge was quite modern with a cable support and we crossed over to our first Irish pub, the Ferryman. Desperate for a wee and a drink we went inside and enjoyed the real Irish pub atmosphere along with a pint of McGargles red bitter. Time to move on and we wound our way through the crowds to Grafton Street and into St Stephens Park. My phone battery was running low so we asked a policeman for some directions to Herbert Lane. He could not have been nicer probably used to a lot of tourists.
At Herbert lane there was nobody home and we just walked away when I saw the lady go in. I ran back but too late, so pressd the intercomm. I then tried to push the gate open with my hand and at the same time the lady pressed the automatic button. Too late !! My wedding finger got caught in the trap and lacerated it in two places. I washed it in the sink and with the help of about 6 plasters, managed to stop the blood. After a calming cup of tea, I went to the bedroom and rebandaged so that we could go out to supper at Milanos. I was worried that whole night that I might get blood on the sheets but no all was fine in the morning.
This next day was supposed to be our day exploring the city but instead st 9am I was in a doctors surgery having the wound cleaned with iodine, 3 stitches and a tetanus injection. Plus a course in antibiotics purchased from Hickeys later on in town. The doctor and two nurses did a fantastic job and they were more concerned that I should enjoy my day in Dublin. After we headed straight for Cafe Nero at 5 Merrion Row to regroup and plan our day. So finally we walked into town and caught the hop-on hop-off bus for a tour of the city dropping us back around an hour later. We then went shopping plus a drink at Marks and Spencer and Hickeys to pick up the antibiotics. We made our way round the city and came back to the Ha'penny bridge where stands a house that James Joyce lived in. Close by was temple bar and the nicest pub that I have seen in Dublin that definitely warranted a pint. Better still a pretty girl standing outside the said pub.
Spoilt for choice of eating places we settled into the snug Brick Alley Cafe where we enjoyed a pint of guinness with our meal.The ladies were oriental adding to the diversity of this city. Then onwards to Dunnes the supermarket where we picked up a few food souvenirs including Irish honey from Boyne Valley and Dunnes Stores "simply better" Columbian coffee. Then round the corner to the Post Office to mail postcards and see the bronze statue of Molly Malone.
We visited a Carrolls gift shop for some postcards. A store that is aimed at tourists unashamedly but nice in its own fashion. The back to Marks and Spencers for another cup of tea this time out on the rooftop patio in glorious sunshine. Next up was a trip to the art gallery where there is a huge collection of 17th century paintings. I wanted to see at least one commuter train but time was limited so I peered over the gate at Pearce station to witness the trains on a slightly larger gauge to the UK. A quick peek at the national library reading room and back home to Róisín and James house on Herbert Lane. In the evening we went out to Saba and had a lovely meal to end the day.
Next morning being our last day, we said goodbye to Róisín and heade into the city and had breakfast at KC Peaches. A popular breakfast place but the food is prepared ahead of time and as we all know, scrambked eggs do not sit well fir long before they become rubbery. So not the best although the head guy was great and efficient. After figurihg out the buses to the docks we then walked to the Brazen head, the oldest put in Dublin, for a pint of Smethwick Red. Lunch was healthy at a salad bar called Chopped. Then the highlight of the trip for me: in the end we decided to walk back to the ferry and I am so glad we did. Pulling out of the docks with a load was a Class 040 diesel plus wagons and I captured a video to boot. Finally arrived back at Stena ferry for the trip back to wales.
Addendum : Finger well on the mend now and some feeling in the tip. All good.
