The Spanish Wedding in No Man's Land

After few quiet weeks, it finally was time for my holidays which started with a weekend for himself and myself in London. Despite the extremely early mid night wake up to get the Airlink bus from Smithfield to the airport to make it in time for our flight 7.35am to Gatwick. We made it through security with ease and had the obligatory pint before meeting up with Paddy's Sister Clare and Sheila and made our way to board our flight. The flight itself despite been a short one was a turbulent one. Once we disembarked and that, we were on next available train then tube towards our respective hotels near Earl's Court tube station. All four of us went for food first before going our separate ways. Paddy and me had a little while, after checking into our hotel before we had to leave again to make the Matinee performance of Motown the musical. The musical is based on the history of Berry Gordy's founding and of his record label and his personal and professional relationships with its artists. The musical was like a jukebox showcasing all the label's biggest hits. We walked the short ten mins walk towards Leicester Square area as I still had to collect the tickets for that night's performance of Harold Pinter's play No Mans Land starring Sir Ian Mckellen and Sir Patrick Sewart. These tickets were the main reason we made the trip over to London, was to see these two legendary actors in person live and I had got them for his birthday as a present. We saw Clare and Sheila in a restaurant near the Wyndham Theatre so we joined them for some food before the play. Despite the subject of the play itself being quite heavy, the acting by all four actors in the play was unreal and experiencing the chemistry and dramatic performance of the legendary actors was amazing. We went to stage door to see if we could get an autograph or photo of the actors which luckily we managed to get. Before getting the tube home after such a tiring but thrilling day. Exiting the station what did we come across but a TARDIS type structure right outside the station.

Early next morning, Paddy showed me where he used to work and met some of his old colleagues and friends before going to Putney where he used to live. After such a nice weekend it was pain to make our way back to the airport for our journey home. Despite the delay leaving Gatwick, we arrived back home safely.

Early next morning I got the bus towards the Phoenix park visitor centre to do the Magazine Fort, only to be informed the information I came across online was wrong but got my tour sorted for the Friday after I got home from Spain. So as I had unexpectedly time to spare and it was a pleasant enough day, I walked to the zoo nearby and made use of my annual pass. Any excuse to avoiding packing for Spain.

Wednesday morning about 4 am after alarm went off somehow we both ended up falling back asleep but I woke up with a shock. Despite being only a tad behind schedule, we got a taxi to the airport, made use of Aer Lingus new bag drop service and were through security again with ease, we were back on schedule mostly stress free. Also helps Niamh had a taxi code I could use which helped with the cost. Once we boarded the plane and got settled, we had decent seats and the seats were actually comfy. The flight itself was a smooth one and heavenly compared to our London flights that we both slept some of the way. One of a Paddy's oldest friend and the groom Ken collected us and his parents from the airport and we spent several hours chilling and enjoying the sun in the villa he got for his family to stay at, before he brought us up to where we were staying up in Mijas Peublo. After we got settled in and took in the amazing views from our villa up in the mountains, that we noticed poor Paddy got severely sunburnt which he would suffer with for a few days. It didn't take Paddy long to make friends with the 2 house cats that live on the property which were so playful and adorable. 

The next morning I wanted to go exploring around the village and collect a few essential supplies. I had been told before the holiday I had to check out the chapel of the Virgin of the Rock. This chapel was excavated in the rock by Mercedarian friars and according to tradition Marian apparitions began in 1586 above the chapel. I also took in some of the Compas panoramic views from the viewpoint situated next to the chapel, before taking in other sights of the village such as the donkey taxi, constitution square, and various churches, before the trek back up the mountain towards our villa with breakfast for both of us and to enjoy the afternoon sun, as I had been exploring for long then I had planned to. We enjoyed the quiet, peace and views from our villa and of course the sun, before meeting the other member of the Tripod as Paddy puts it, Fergal and his girlfriend Ciara for food and drinks in the coastal part of Mijas. Paddy and me soon realised that taxis and cost of same was gonna place a big part of this holiday. That Friday night we went to pre wedding evening in the Trocadero Arena on the beach near Marbella. Been a vegetarian and a picky eater for once worked in my favour, as Emma the bride arranged for one of the waiter to come to me with a special plates of canopies throughout the night which was nice of her and tasty. 

The following morning was the day of the wedding, main reason we were on holidays in Mijas, as the wedding itself wasn't until that evening, Few hours before it, we were brought to the villa closest to the wedding one , where we got to enjoy some more sun and the pool before the ceremony. When both Paddy and me suited up, I must say we did scrub up quite well if I do say so myself. The wedding itself was on hill top, just up the road from we all were. When the wedding started after some vamping by the groom, around 8pm it was still about 28 degrees,  we  were seated outside on the hilltop during the sunset as they said their vows. The reception afterwards was at the rear of the villa around the poolside with flowers and candles in the pool. Emma the bride painted all the signs and such which were all around the place. There was a good laugh and buzz as everyone enjoyed themselves. 

Sunday was a day of rest from what we gathered for nearly everyone that was at the wedding, besides the ones who went to watch the All Ireland match at the nearest Irish pub which didn't include us both. For the next two days, post wedding celebrations we got to enjoy the villa and the village just the two of us which was nice. Tuesday the day before we had to leave, Fergal collected us, so we could met up with Ciara, Ken, Emma and a few others at the wedding villa, as it could be a long time before everyone was together again, for some sun, fun and banter. Later that afternoon, when Fergal and Ken were heading back our way towards the supermarket, we got a lift back and on route I got to see the buildings and structures I hadn't been able due to location such as the Bullring and was able to see a different view and side of the village which was pretty cool. We had a cosy last meal just Paddy and me in one of the village squares which was tasty and perfect way to finished off the holiday, before surprise surprise getting a taxi back to our villa, to enjoy our last night before the dreaded thoughts of the flight home. The morning of our flight home arrived way too quite for either of our liking, but good things have to end. As Fergal and Ciara were heading to Malaga that morning, they collected and dropped us to the airport on route which was very nice of them to do. Before we knew it we were boarding the plane, and on our way home. Both of us managed to get forty winks during the flight, as it was a smooth flight and a comfortable enough plane. 

 The next day, I had arranged a private tour within Dublin Castle to check out a John Hughes' Statue of Victory depicting Hibernia at War, tending to the dying solider. I dragged Niamh along with me, as this statue is located in the grounds of the conference centre, part of Dublin Castle which is closed to the public. It was nice of Jenny of the OPW to arrange and do that for me. That Friday I finally was available to do the Magazine Fort tour in the Phoenix Park, I had to walk the whole way to the Visitor Centre which took just short of an hour due to the Bus Strike. Despite having to walk all the walk, I got on the next available tour, where the OPW brought the group of us doing the tour by bus to the Magazine Fort. It was quite interesting to hear about the history of the complex, see some of the original buildings, the conservation been done by the OPW to maintain the structure for the future. The different viewpoints in this Ammunition fort shows off different parts of the park and nearby historical structures and buildings. Despite the 10 km around trip by the time I got home later that afternoon, it was worth the effort despite the later pain and aches I would in my legs, was nice way to finish off my holidays.

Bonfire, Music, Rugby and Christmas

I came home from work, mid afternoon on Halloween, noticed that the local kids and parents had started to stockpile for a bonfire for later that night. We were watching tv, when we noticed through the curtains, which were closed, this bright light, so we opened the door, and saw the crowds gathered around this unreal massive bonfire, right at our doorstep, the heat from it was so hot even at our distance.

The following day, I got to finally meet up with my friend Majella from home and her son Lorcan. I was able to bring them in on my Annual Pass to Dublin Zoo which was so handy. It been years since I was able to spend some quality time with Majella. Lorcan has grown up so much since I've seen him last, which was when I held him as a baby. That Friday evening after work, Paddy and myself had our date night, where we went for a nice meal, before heading to the Bord Gais Energy theatre to see the Star Trek screening with the Rte Concert Orchestra conducting the soundtrack throughout the screening. Niamh at the same time had gone to see Judith Owen at The Avenue Venue Upstairs @ Avenue by Nick Munier, tickets which we had won in Hotpress. Niamh said that the singer wasn't bad just wasn't her cup of tea. The next day, she also got tickets to the event at the RDS called Metropolis, although it wasn't really our thing, we thought we would check it out for a while and see what it was like. The Trinity Orchestra doing a set honouring David Bowie was a highlight we both enjoyed and that alone was worth our effort making the trip out to it. We decided to round off the weekend and the start of our week off with a tasty brunch at Bakehouse in town.  Early Tuesday morning, Niamh and myself got the bus home to Clare, to spend a few days with the family and to celebrate our Granny 94th birthday, who wasn't expecting us home, it was kinda nice to surprise her. We went our for lunch then drinks where we surprised her with the birthday cake which she had no idea at all about. It is always nice to get away from the big city and spend some quality time with the folks at home.

The week off flew by, before I knew it I was back at work that Sunday morning. After work I met Niamh in town for the Grafton Street Christmas lights. As we had time to spare we had food in 37 Dawson street somewhere we hadn't been in ages. Lucky we decided to make our way to Grafton street after we finished. As a crowd had started to form, and we were up near the front once they started letting people near the stage. Unlike reports of the massive crowds of people behind all the way down Grafton Street, we had no issues with the sound or safety where we were and had a good view. We had a good laugh with the people near to where we were and enjoyed it. We understood why they had to cut the event short and turn on the lights before they had planned to due to the health and safety concerns with the thousands of people there. Which is a pity as we had been there last year and remember what the whole event was like.

During my break at work the next day, I got a message from Vodafone letting me know that I had won a pair of tickets to the Ireland vs the All blacks rugby game for the 19th. I had to re read the message a few times to let it sink in, that I had won the tickets. Before we knew it, it was Friday and it was time for Sister Act the musical, tickets which we had bought months ago which kinda snuck up on us. We had the Circle Club experience thanks to the Bord Gais Rewards Club, an area cornered off, which we could enjoy before and after the show and got a complimentary programme too. Despite the cold, we got to meet and get our photo with Alexandra Burke which was nice of her, that alone made our night, as she was the main reason, we both wanted to see this show, as we were unlucky enough not to see her in the Bodyguard. I managed to get my hours in work changed for the next day for the game, and as soon as I was finished, I quickly changed and made my way out to Ballsbridge where I met Niamh. Once I found her, we made our way to the Aviva and founds our seats. We were amazed with the view we had, and were very happy with our seats. To be part of the atmosphere and crowd for this game was quite a different experience and couldn't still believe I finally got a see an Ireland rugby game, and it actually was  against the world champions the All Blacks. Despite the end result, and the minus temperatures, we both agreed it was a surreal experience been at such a game and getting to see the All Blacks perform the Haka beforehand too. That for me is another tick, possibly even two, off my bucket list which I'm delighted with. To round off the weekend, Niamh and me went to see Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find them, which we totally enjoyed so worth the wait.

On Thursday afternoon after work, I met Niamh in Smithfield in advance of the Christmas Lights Switch On event, to make sure we were up near the front, before the crowds arrived. Stanhope Street Girl Choir, who are from the locality, got the event underway just after 5.30pm by singing a few Christmas songs. Johnny Cronin who was on next, just couldn't break the tough crowd unlike Sinead White and her band who were on next, who got the crowd going and everyone seemed to enjoy her set even if it was all her own original songs. We had a visitor from the north pole come on stage next, the big jolly guy himself Santa, who with the deputy major began the countdown for the switch on of the Christmas tree in the Plaza. To finish off the event, the headliner Jerry Fish and his band came on, from the get go, he was full of energy and mad as a brush with all his movement and jumping. I have heard in the past that he is so unpredictable and true to form, suddenly he jumped off the stage and over the barrier and in the process smacked poor Niamh on the head with his mic stand which although was sore, she found the funny side of it, while we enjoyed the madness that was Jerry Fish before the cold walk home. 

                                       

After a hectic crazy morning in work, I met Niamh and Paddy near Smithfield for the Coca Cola Christmas Truck, that was in the plaza for the day. As Paddy got assignments to do, himself and myself got a photo close to the truck, while Niamh still queued, before heading back home. Niamh and me waited in the end for just over an hour for our opportunity to have our photo taken with it. We heard after we  collected our photo and was leaving on our way to town that the wait for the photo op was running at over 2.5 hours. We arrived onto O Connell St for the Switch on the Christmas Tree and the Geansaí Nollag event, just after it started which was perfect timing and still got a relatively good view of the stage. The Dublin Halleluia Gospel Choir started off the event with their Christmas set, followed by the cast of the Olympia Panto, Ceilli Trad band Craddóg and the headliner The Academic. Al Porter and Dustin the Turkey were MCs who were the glue that held the whole event together. Before the Lord Mayor switched on the Christmas Tree. Over 1,500 took part in the Christmas jumper event which broke the previous record for largest number of people gathered in one place wearing Christmas jumpers. 

As Niamh and myself happened to have same day off during the week, we decided to head to the Zoo to make use of our annual pass and it been ages since we went together. As it was a week day, the zoo was quiet enough we enjoyed it at our own pace. The first weekend of December was my weekend off and because of the rain, we all had quite a lazy weekend. During one of the few dry spells, we made the short stroll to Teelings Distillery for their Christmas Market.

 

As I was working both Christmas Eve and St Stephen Day, I was spending Christmas in Dublin this year. Niamh volunteered to stay up with me, as we all were heading down to Clare for New Years. After I finished work early on Christmas Eve, I met Niamh in town where we finished our food shopping and that before getting bus  home.  We curled up on the couch, getting cosy for the night watching Christmas Movies with few drinks and of course chocolate. Christmas Morning, we both enjoyed our well deserved lie in and laziness before deciding to get up and start the prep for our festive meal which we planned to spread throughout the day as we were in no rush with the food. Only thing that was missing from the day, was my poor Paddy, the poor guy was spending the day working. At some stage during the day, he dressed up as Santa and gave out gifts to patients on his ward, which the staff had chipped in together for and he sent me a photo of later which gave me a laugh. All the prep for this festive meal was worth all the effort and little arguments as it was one of our bests ever. The day was made even better when Paddy finally came home from work and got to spend some time with him on Christmas Day. Between Christmas and New Years, only one of us who seemed to be off enjoying her self, was Niamh who went to her Friend Emma's Wedding  in Dalkey followed by the reception in Dún Laoghaire, she told me the following morning that she thoroughly enjoyed her and she even brought me home some sweets which was nice. Niamh, Paddy and me all hopped on a late bus home to Clare on Dec 30th for the weekend for New Years, despite been a long bus journey home, it was pleasantly quiet and peaceful one. It was great to see our parents who collected us from the bus stop. As always was great to get home and spend some quality time together. We all enjoyed ourselves over the weekend but before we knew it, the few days home were over before we knew it and had to begin the journey back to Dublin. I had to get a connecting bus at the Red Cow to Dundrum and back to normality for me as I had to rush to work for a few hours which luckily flew as I was wrecked after all the travelling. To finish off the Festive season, Paddy and me meet his cousin Rob and his partner James at Guinness's Open Gate Brewery, the following Thursday where we sampled few different drinks while we had a good catch up.