Weather

is a great topic of conversation in Ireland.

Yesterday we had grey skies and a full day of heavy rain but it was mild. It was very windy early on today but then mid morning, it settled down to blue skies, light breeze, sunny but a bit cool.

Due to my work rota, I have today and tomorrow off. Because of high winds this morning, Tennis was cancelled. I grabbed my new (secondhand) camera, made some ham sandwiches, flask of coffee and headed down to Sandymount by myself. I walked the strand when the tide was out and took a heap of photos. I still haven't got the swing of new camera, so I retreated to the comfort of my cameraphone. I bought the new camera on eBay auction but it had no instruction manual with it.

It was cold but just lovely to be out under those big skies of Dublin Bay. I sat on a bench with this view in front of me and enjoyed it very much. I always describe Dun Laoghaire as a pale blue place and Howth as a dark blue place and I think I am not wrong.

I have been out since 10 and just home now at 3.30 as I have to finish the book for my raucous book club in my friend Jean's house this evening. We were tennis partners for years and always described as the pair of jeans.

Sandymount with the 2 chimneys looking out towards Howth