Playing Monopoly

Tuesday 3rd October 4pm

Dublin, Ireland

Top of the morning to you! I am in green (very green!!) Ireland. I am hearing the Irish lilt everywhere and loving it. I arrived at 1pm and made my way to my hostel (nice one this time) and then went out, had a late lunch, bought some books and found an Internet Cafe. The 4 or 5 streets I have seen so far are nice. I'll fill you in about life in Dublin when I have lived a little in Dublin.

On Sunday, Mum and I landed in London and went back to our accommodation with Mrs Masters. Although we'd had an early start (and no shower) we headed into the city for mum to show me the sights and give me tips on cheap eats. We went through the National Art Gallery which was absolutely fantastic. We have a game at home 'Masterpiece' in which you buy and sell art. Mum and I had a great time wandering the rooms and exclaiming 'There's another one!' Haylee - we even saw the Boobie Lady!! (Not the official name of course, just a nickname because of, well, you get the picture - alot of cleavage on show) There were some other really well done pictures that even a hater of art would be impressed by. I came across some beloved Monet. One in particular that I could stare at for hours and still find something new (mum - I did go back the next day to say hello again).

Next we went past Kings Cross station (I tried to push through to platform 9 and three quarters - but it didn't happen), Guard houses, Downing Street, Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Arch after Arch and Harrods. One particular highlight was walking through St James Park with mum where in a London 'Season' early last century, it was the place to be seen. Our fake British accents and loud chants of 'I enjoyed Lady Bathworths soiree last evening. I only spoke of the weather to the Duke and it seemed to bore him' sent us both into fits of giggles.
We had an awesome time and it was only the condition of soreus feetus that sent us home.
Mum left early the next day. I was sad to see her go but knew she would be getting fabulous Teliah cuddles and Tanner kisses very soon so didn't think she was missing out.

My tour of London that day was good. I sat on a bus tour for an hour or two and felt like I had stepped onto a Monopoly board. Park Lane, Mayfair, Euston Road, Regent Street just to name a few, went past. The commentary was worthwhile (it pointed out Sean Connery's house in case I wanted to discuss where in Scotland is good to go to) and the overview of the city made me appreciate it all the more. I stopped at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and went inside the tate Modern Art Gallery. The Gallery was great. I continued my art education by seeing Andy Warhol (a box of campbells soup - now THAT is art! - not! in my opinion), Degas, Salvador Dali, Magritte and Picasso. It was an eye opener compared to the Renaissance stuff - one piece of art by Salvador Dali was called Lobster telephone. It was a Lobster on a black telephone. The caption beside it mentioned that Dali thought the 2 items were very sexual in nature. (Are you at sea like me?) Anyway - it was great. I went then to the British Museum. I saw the Rosetta Stone that the English won't give back to the Egyptians (the Egyptian's words) and saw the Parthenon Marbles which evil, villianous Lord Elgin stole from the Acropolis (again, the Greeks' words). I probably sound stupid to admit this but the 'Marbles' are made out of marble - not the galaxy/angel face variety I was almost expecting.

When I left is was raining fairly hard so i stopped at an Internet Cafe for awhile. Then, as it was getting late, I bought some tea and looked for the Underground sign at Leiceiter Square. I found heaps of people milling around barracades instead. Since I had nowhere to be just then (ah, the joys of holidays), I stayed and ate my cream cheese and cucumber bagel. I eventually found out it was a movie premiere for 'The History Boys'. The Prince of Wales and Camilla were showing up. I started waiting there at 6pm and about 7.15pm people started rolling up. I recognised only one person (the guy who plays Vernon Dursley in HP movies). But hey, I still had hopes of Daniel Radcliffe showing up and shaking my hand. Charles arrived after 8 and parked up the road so my glimpse of him and Camilla was brief and from a distance. I'm still not sure it was worth it. But I guess not everyone can say they have been within 100m of royalty.

Off home I went and to bed. The next morning I had a bowl of Mrs Masters AMAZING muesli and then went to the airport. The whole routine is getting rather humdrum and I think I could do it in my sleep. I wonder how long it will take before I get excited about a plane trip again?
The flight was brief and all the rest that happened was mentioned above. I am trying to find a tour but am having no luck so far. It might be day trips to the far sides of the country and back.

I will keep you updated on the Craic (that's Irish hospitality in case you were interested). Tomorrow I will go and see a really old, ornate book called the Book of Kells. It is lavishly decorated and is one of the oldest books in existance.

Talk to you soon.

Kym