St. Patrick's Weekend

A couple months ago Rachel made the suggestion to go to Dublin for St. Patrick's day. And of course the only appropriate response is "why not?" So, that is just what we did. And it was amazing. We got into Dublin Thursday evening. Spent Friday going to Trinity college to see the Book of Kells and the library. Then we enjoyed a beer fest, and spent the evening making friends with locals. 


On Saturday, St. Patrick's, we started out the day watching the amazing parade, and later parking ourselves for much of the evening at O'Donoghue's where there was some great live music and amazing company.


Sunday we headed down to Cork where we rented a car and drove down to the delightful town of Kinsale. That evening we enjoyed some amazing oysters at Fishy Fishy, and some good company and music at Bulman's.


Monday we cruised around the country side stopping along the way. Enjoying a hike in Sheep's head. Monday night we were back in Cork. Enjoyed some more live music (couldn't get enough!) and then it was up at 4:15am Tuesday to hop the plane back into the office.


Crazy trip. Loads of fun. I must go back!

With our apartment host, Adrian:

Parade Anticipation:

The level of detail on these costumes blew me away. Broadway show style.

Nothing like coming across a random bar playing Irish songs, and everyone singing. We had no choice but to stay and have a fabulous time!

Left side right side!:

Kinsale (next few shots):

Fishy Fishy, best oysters!:

Roadside breakfast:

Timoleague Friary: 

Stone circle on our hike:

Goodbye Ireland! See you soon!

Freezing February

Back in February something very magical happened in Amsterdam. There was snow, and the canals froze. The canals freeze enough for skating only once every few years, so it was a special treat to be here when it happened. 

I made it out on the ice a few times, but sadly I didn't have skates. A few weeks back I picked up a pair of super old ones (we're talking circa 1940s?) that attach to your shoes with leather straps, so I'll be prepared for next year. Prepared to fall. They look a little questionable.

There were a couple canals they left open for boats, and then they closed off Keizersgracht, Prinsengracht, and a number of smaller surrounding ones to allow the ice to freeze. Soon after the initial freeze, people were throwing chairs and bikes into the ice to test its thickness (classy). There were canal parties on the ice. There were cafe stands set up where you could get hot chocolate, gluwein, and pastries. There was also the Keizersgracht race that happened one evening. It was loads of fun to watch...but FREEZING!

So, now for some photos:

 One of the weekends that it was freezing, I made it out of town with a large group some of Amsterdam's finest and most fabulous folks for Dave and Mira's birthday. We rented a house down by the German border (Germany was literally on the other side of the field). It was beautiful out there. A couple shots of that:

Germany on the left, Holland on the right!:

 Our country home, space for 30:

Wow, February zipped by!