We cross the water again, and find Dublin

It was a very warm afternoon as we flew out of JFK. We had managed to negotiate it succesfully - terminal 4 is very new and sleek, with lots of light. It is very much self help in check in - you do the lot, and dont need to see anyone at the desk if you only have carry on pieces. Needless to say, we didn't. The security check is the usual humerous scene of everyone stepping out of shoes, holding up pants which are minus belts, and even scarves are removed. The the process slows while we all pause to reattire ourselves with a little dignity.
We thought we would have a quick takeoff as we left the gate early. No way. We were still in a queue on the tamac three quarters of an hour later - this is quite normal, so you just have to go with the flow. We smiled as the pilot described the route to be taken - up the coast past Nantucket, Martha's vineyard, and up over Nova Scotia - and leave the coast around Halifax - a repeat of our trip south. There was a stunning sunset as we flew from the dusk into dark, always a sight that catches your breath.
I love Dublin. It looked so pretty in the half light that we landed in, a fast check in , and we were on our way . We have seen Trinity College,the Long Room of course - the old library where the books were ordered - by size - largest on the bottom - to the tiniest on the impossibly high top shelves. The Book of Kells, in its atmospheric controlled room and display is a real wonder. The work in it is so detailed, the more you look at it, the more figures and details are revealed. And when you think of its age, it is an incredible survivor.
The streets of Dublin seem busy the whole day - a huge number of buses provide an extensive public transport system, together with trams, and little green trains. It is not that hilly, and very English, of course in much of the architecture. The people seem very friendly, and the lilting irish brogue is lovely to hear. It rained quite heavily on and off, so we dodged some showers, and did what we could in the few hours we are here. The pace of life is what you make it here, but it looks quite prosperous considering the economic slowdown everywhere.
We walked through St Stephens Green, a green oasis with water and pretty gardens The River Liffey flows through the city, and has graceful bridges at intervals. And of course any English graduates think of the the novelists and poets who have emanted from this part of the world, let alone all the notables from Trinity College.
Dublin is a city I hope we can get back to one day, and we can see it at a more leisurely pace.

More soon