Dublin, y’know it’s almost as good as New Zealand. Except for the Guinness, which is better.

Ah yes, while I do whitter on about New Zealand being great (it really is ;) from time to time to time to time… it’s not like there isn’t the odd heartstring pulled when one comes back to ones place of birth ;)

There were quite a few people to catch up with (but for too short a time). This table of degenerates are all friends from college (or partners thereof). Ok, 4 of them (Morgan & Becks and Mary & Lorna) aren’t complete degenerates as they have infact visited NZ… only they didn’t decide to move – so that detracts slightly…

I was also lucky enough to meet the first of my engineering friends to have a baby. Emma (and Dave ;) have brought the lovely Jessica into the world. Not that I am remotely ready for this sort of responsibility.. it is still quite miraculous…

Also had a really excellent night out in the Cobblestone Bar. A great trad music bar in Smithfield.. It was great to see lots of friends out.. I mean… Dublin really does do pub culture very, very well. It’s interesting.. I think someone literally took apart brick by brick a pub from Ireland and moved it to the States… I wonder if it would feel the same? Can’t imagine so.

Maeve and Andy (getting married next year :) treated me to a yum dinner before hand.. which was definitely a good thing.. as if I’d skipped dinner one imagines the trip to Co. Clare the next day (with two kids in the back of the car) would have seemed a *lot* longer. Maeve & Andy also build a bouldering wall in their shed. Very cool.