Top of the Yellow walk, Glendalough

On the Green

Mist and Rain

Wheat Grass

What we used to call Wheat Grass as kids - we spent ages "harvesting" the grains from the top of them in the back garden and then crushing them between two "mill stones" (big flat stones from the mother's rockery) to make flour.

"Se Rime Ceald Sae"

Galway was under water on Sunday night; as we arrived, we navigated several small ponds especially outside the G hotel and by the docks. Early Sunday morning there was another storm and the sea scape was extremely bleak even by mid morning. Hard to believe this was our mid summer!

Religious Facade

The wonderful black and white facade that dominates Il Duomo square in Florence; it is a hallmark not just of Florence but is found on treasured Tuscan buildings from Pisa to Pistoia.

The black and white is offset but a pinkish streak - even on a dull April afternoon the overall effect is quite startling.

The Devil's in the Details

I love Gothic architecture and especially the neo-medieval confectionary of the the Brussels church facades; on this church, thousands of detailed statues boast individual expressions and poses, each one a mini work of art. I took a series of the various details, including this one over the main door.

Prayer and Practicality

A shop lantern against the backdrop of one of Brussels magnificent gothic churches (off Golden Sq)

Blooming Bloomsday

I was roped into attending Bloomsday yesterday. I'm no fan of Joyce (I love The Dead but Ulysses is appalling dross) but my friend is a devotee and she begged the other two of us to attend. I must say If I have to suffer Joyce, Davy Byrne's Bar off Grafton Street is the place to do it. The atmosphere was excellent, the enthusiasm of the patrons, many in costume dress and others dressed with more than a nod to the period was infectious. There were songs and recitations, and inevitably, the passage from the offending book regarding Mr Davy Byrne himself. All in all it was a good day out, and I imagine even more so should you happen to like Mr Joyce!

Empty

In preparation - for what? a ceremony, an audience? - rows of seats fill the Square. The rain drenches them, the obilisk oversees them. Something is meant to happen, soon.