Airfield

Yesterday we went to a lovely garden near my Mum's home called Airfield. It has an old house and coffee shop/art gallery, a petting zoo, car museum, art studios and the most bizarre, beautiful gardens we have ever seen! The oddest plants were layered on eachother in a manner that is untraditional. The kids loved playing chase around the little paths and then climbing in the trees and on the sculptures in the grounds. It kept raining so we had to go in and out of the house, which was fine with me as the cafe was lovely and had a mixed media art show going on!

The kids were really into tree climbing.

Scones

Hmmm, scones. Nothing quite like them in the US. They are best with butter and jam. They are like a cross between bread and pastry, not soft and fluffy, but easy to slice and a bit crumbly, slightly sweet, but still savory. We have already eaten tons of these in the week we have been here. Every coffee shop and supermarket sells scones, and we dutifully buy them.

People's Park - Sunday

We went to a local park Sunday to watch an outdoor movie on a giant screen, the movie was a cartoon 'Happy Feet'. The place was bustling with families. There was an organic market and people selling their handcrafts. When the sun was out it was lovely, but when it went in it got pretty chilly.

Who let that child go without shoes?

There were people selling art and organic food. This market is there every Sunday.

Day out in Dublin

Matthew, Mark and I spent the day out in Dublin on Saturday. Granny stayed home with the girls and their cousin. This photo is of the Four Courts on the Quays. I took it from the car!

We visited the National Museum of Ireland and learned some Irish history.

We spent time in 2 different bookshops, which are across the street from one another: Hughes and Hughes and Waterstones, this photo is the top floor of Waterstones, many a poetry reading I attended here back in the day!

We spent time in coffee shops.

Dancing

The kids cousin came over to granny's house last night, they made up dances to themes that Matthew suggested, even Annie joined in.

time on the wall with the neighbors

Kitchen sink

This is my mum's kitchen sink, the bit on the right is the draining board. Bread is always on tap in the bread bin.

Take Away fish and chips

We are off to Libero's Take Away fish and chip shop. I went to this chip shop many Saturday's in my youth with my dad to pick up fish and chips for dinner.

There is nothing in the world like Dublin take away chip shops. They are dotted around the city and are all run by Italians and sell the same thing - fish or cod in batter and chips or French Fries. The taste is unique, the smell is unique, the experience is very Dublin and unique.

Let's order some fish and chips

Don't you love that girl's huge pink hair clip?

Before the deep fry

Batter covered cod fillets await.

While we wait

They always have Italian soccer games playing on a TV at these chip shops!

Getting closer

They shovel the chips into the bag and then pour tons of salt and vinegar on them.

All packed up in brown bags

The grease soaks through the paper. I was wondering what that dude was doing, not helping with the cooking. People live above the chip shop, so perhaps it is his place!

Here they are