Cork cranes

We've had a busy, and sociable, day catching up with a friend that I have known since schooldays, when I briefly went to school in Germany, who now lives just outside Cork, with her American husband, and Irish daughter (well, Irish-German-American, of course, but it seems to me that overall the Irish is dominant!).

Alongside sitting around at their house, putting the world to rights, we also visited Cobh this afternoon, and then had dinner at Blackrock Castle in an excellent restaurant. When we arrived for dinner, the sun was just setting over Cork harbour - or the small part of it that was visible. I could probably have caught some more vibrant colours later on, but we were too busy eating to notice!

And now we're in Cork, we're staying in a hotel - this time for work, from tomorrow onwards.