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Despite yesterday's disappointment, I went back to the Christmas Market again today. The atmosphere was much the same as yesterday, and I still didn't see anything which looked like a likely gift for anyone on my list. I tried some more blips while I was there, and more or less decided that something from there would end up as my blip for the day. I also really wanted to see how things were progressing at Grand Canal Square, but despite a good old wander down one side of the Docks, up the other and back again to fit in a trip to the Square, the Market blip still won out. Grand Canal Square certainly looks as if it will be a remarkable addition to the Dublin cityscape, especially now that work has begun on the Liebeskind Grand Canal Theatre, but I'll need a good bit more practice with the new camera before I'll be able to do it justice (especially after dark).

I did manage to get some productive shopping done after my wander, so at least the shopping list isn't as long as it was when I set out. More of the same tomorrow, probably.

LATER EDIT: Carl finally sorted himself out and cleared getting time off to join us (the Music Group gang) in Zurich next year (beginning of May), so he and I have now booked our flights (I long ago booked tickets for opera and concert performances). While I was at it I was unusually decisive and decided to take Aer Lingus up on an email offer -- a 72-hour sale ending at midnight tonight with flights on 20 European routes from 28 euro one-way including taxes and charges. In addition to having to book by midnight, the other condition was that travel had to be between 8th January and 12th March. I don't usually follow up on these time-limited offers, but for some reason I was instantly tempted by this one. I equally instantly took a fancy to Nice as my preferred destination, and pushed the buy button before going in to town. So I'm off to the South of France from 5th to 8th March.