Dublin again; more fun begins

We arrived in Dublin last night, got settled in our hotel and then walked through the downtown night and shopping spots.  We walked and walked and finally decided on an Italian restaurant and pizza. 

The area was filled with the Friday night crowd, from all over the world, walking, visiting, looking and in a general hurry to get somewhere.  Establishments were enjoying a vibrant night of business.  

The waterway next to our hotel serves as home to dozens of beautiful white swans and ducks.  I think they lead a good life here.  Over the past few days I've thought that the best of living conditions in the places we've visited would certainly be known by the swans and the sheep.  

Who wouldn't want to live in beautiful water or on green hillsides being adored and admired by all who see you.  Plenty of food, sense of security and lots of attention. I do thing both of these species have it good here.

We visited Belfast yesterday, and I came away pleasantly surprised with the pride the city seems to take in its history and its industrial might.  

The city hall in the middle of downtown with its ornate, elegant architecture and its statue of Queen Victoria out front sets the tone.  And,  a visit inside only enhances those first impressions.  The city has clawed its way, through hard work, to its reign as a formidable industrial giant.

We learned about its "Linenopolis" title, about its ship building prowess, its yarn, its rope making and even its distinction as the home of Benson and Hedges cigarettes. 

I enjoyed the time we spent there, gawking and doing some souvenir shopping, and that was in spite of heavy rains.  

We went out to a farm field yesterday where one of several ancient mass tombs rises above the landscape.  They're estimated to be 5,000 years old.  While walking around the hillside, we say pathways leading down to a point where gates prevent visitors from going on into the tomb.

I walked almost to the top of the tomb, but a mama sheep, standing there watching her baby, turned around and gave me "the look," suggesting that a protective Mama Sheep could turn tail and run me off the hillside.

So, I turned around and kept my distance from all the mamas and their babies on and around the tomb.

While we were driving there, a herd of Holstein cows being driven by their owner, brought us to a stop.  Out came the cameras, as the cows continued our way down the middle of the road, grabbing occasional bites of grass from their neighbors' lawns.  

They didn't mind having their pictures taken but also listened to their owner's directions to get on down the road.  It was a fun sight.

Lots of fun sights have been packed away in this brain of mine.  I only hope I can remember the majority of them.  

Today we'll be meeting with geocachers and probably making our way around Dublin on geocaching adventures.  An "event" is scheduled from 5-8 p.m. this evening here at the hotel.  

So, another busy day ahead.  

Happy Saturday to all.  More photos on the Ireland blog.