Me and Kelly do the Republic of Ireland

A decision was made on one side of the world that had a ripple effect that travelled all the way to the other side.

Daughter Kelly, currently living and working in England decided to spend a couple of weeks in Ireland before her travels bought her home.

She announced this via Skype one evening, and it set me thinking. She had always wanted to do an overseas trip with me, just as I had with my mum 18 years ago. 

Another decision was made, I would travel to the UK and we would meet up in Dublin.

Setting off from Sydney late one Sunday with around 26 hours flying time ahead, actually turned into around 30hours travelling. I went with the flying kangaroo to Dubai then onto London, changed to BA for the London/Dublin leg and arrived at the hotel around 2.30pm on Monday. 

I was greeted by my beautiful daughter bounding down the hotel steps to hug me. It had been about 8 months since we had been together. 

So what do a mother and daughter do together again? Hit the town of course. Where to start Temple Bar is where it all happens.

First up we went to one of the bars Kelly had discovered in the previous day's, The Quays for a pint of cider each then a bottle of red was shared, whilst fighting off the advances of some young Irish lads out for a big Monday night! There was good live music and much laughter. But we moved on when the red was gone. We went a long way, across the cobbled stone lane and into another bar, The Temple Bar in Temple Bar where we enjoyed a cocktail each before the obligatory Irish coffee. 

We moved on looking for somewhere to get a bite to eat and ended up on the high street found another place that was pumping out some great live music, more drinks were consumed, Kelly did her dad proud by selecting the special A Steak and Ale PIE! By this point I was beyond thinking for myself and just got a simple pasta dish, more drinks were consumed the bar tender taking special care of us. 

When we could barely walk on our own and had a touch more than a vague recollection of how to get back to the hotel, we called it a night and staggered home. It really was only around 10.30 (felt like about 3 am cause it had been dark since 4pm) we crashed at once, and yep you know it I was awake at 3-45, the body clock still a bit out from the flights. Dying of thirst, a bit too warm and serenaded by the bells from Christchurch each 15 mins put any hope of getting some more sleep beyond reach. I read my e-book so as not to disturb Kell I whiled away the time till a reasonable 7 bells! 

Day 2 to come. Betcha can't wait!