Wednesday 29 August 2012

HALF A PINT OF THE BLACK STUFF

I just had a brilliant weekend in Dublin with my Oz-Bus mates and managed to clock up a few "1st's". 

1 - Had my 1st drink of Guinness.  Reputedly Guinness drunk in Dublin is like Guinness drunk no where else.  Can't comment on that because I've never drunk it before, but I can tell you that it IS wonderful in Dublin! 

2 - Had my 1st experience of a "Comedy Club".  Fantastic. I laughed 'til I nearly fell off my chair.

3 - Went to my 1st Gaelic Football Match.  And not any old match, it was the semi-final between Cork and Donegal.  And not any old venue - it was in Croke Park.  Magic.



4 - Dined at a Marco Pierre White restaurant.  We went their for an "early bird" dinner, so I guess we didn't get the full-on dining experience, but the food was great.

5 - Saw the Tall Ships that had taken part in the Tall Ships Race. 

We also went to an amazing Hooley Show at Johnnie Fox's Pub.  One of the oldest pubs in Ireland and certainly the highest. Our good Oz-Bus friend and host for the weekend, Ciaran, is a friend of the owner, Tony, who showed us around.  It's an amazing venue.  Tony has a veritable smorgasbord of photographs of famous people that have visited, including Bill Clinton (and 6 other Presidents),  Condoleezza Rice,  many Royals and, that very lunchtime, Liam Gallagher of Oasis!

Photo: We were joined by Tony, the owner of Johnnie Foxes, after he gave us a tour of the place, which has been visited by so many famous people over the years including 'Oasis's' Noel Gallagher that day.

And this is quite a rare site - me playing bing!  Tony (of Johnnie Fox's fame) also owns a 2,200 seater boxing/bingo venue. As Jonnie and I got hooked on bingo whilst sailing from China to Alaska last year Ciaran thought it might bring back fond memories! 

Photo: Unfortunately we had no winners in our group but it brought a nice end to an action backed weekend reunion in Dublin.

Ciaran, you did us proud.  How can we top that for a re-union?  Well the answer to that is, of course, it can't be topped.  We have reached the pinnacle.  BUT we still want to meet up because we have forged such a close bond.  So next January it's all up to my place for a little R&R after Christmas. No bells and whisles with this venue, although I may have a few ideas up my sleeve !!!

9 comments:

Sueann said...

What gun!! Can't beat spending time with close friends!! Good for the heart and soul!!
Hugs
SueAnn

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

I am so blessed with the family and friends that I have SueAnn. I don't know what I would do without them.

Ciaran said...

Lovely report of the weekend Ann and I'm so glad (and relieved!) everyone enjoyed it. It was great to meet-up again and I'm really looking forward to our January get together at your place. Take care and keep young! Talk soon. xx

Maggie May said...

You are such a traveller that I cannot keep up with you!
Enjoy it while you can.
Maggie X

Nuts in May

RNSANE said...

I am sure, Ann,that you will make that reunion extra special. How nice that you have stayed connected. I have visited my British friends, from my
southeast Asia cruise 16 years ago - at least five times and they come to both SF and Sarasota, FL. Our other British cruise friends opened up an assisted living facility there.

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

Ciaran, thank you, once again, for a brilliant weekend.

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

Well Maggie, I only live once day at a time, one trip at a time, so it doesn't seem such a big deal to me!

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

We are only a small group of 5 Carmen, but I also managed to meet up with 2 of the 3 aussies when I was in Melborne so that was great.