So, Toronto typically gets
about 75 millimetres of rain during the entire month of
July but on Monday 90 millimetres of rainfall was recorded
in just two hours at Toronto's Pearson Airport. And there
I was last week complaining about the Irish rain—in
particular the day we got drenched at
Giant's
Causeway and the
Carrick-a-Rede
Rope Bridge. Now, when I say drenched I mean, yes, it
was raining and we were tromping around outside for hours
so we got wet. And, yes, it was windy too and only 12 degrees
Celsius up at Giant's Causeway. But the rain was entirely
normal and unremarkable in comparison to what we got hit
with here two days ago so the next time someone hears me
complaining about Irish weather, please remind me to get
a grip, okay?
Usually Irish rain, which is
indeed pretty persistent, is more drizzle than deluge. Much
easier to deal with really. But Environment Canada and the
Weather Network warned us that it was going to be a wet
and wild summer for Toronto (lots of thunderstorms) and
so far it looks like they're right. There's
a
severe thunderstorm warning in effect right now in fact.
Dare I say I'm already starting to miss the cooler Irish
temperatures and near constantly overcast days?
Since the contemporary YA manuscript
I just finished is set mostly in Ireland I actually feel
as if I'd been there for longer than two weeks. I hope to
be able to share more information re. that book in not too
long. Not to mention the
Yesterday
sequel,
Tomorrow!
In the meantime here are some photos from my time in Ireland.
Out in Malahide on a grey day.
Dublin Pride Parade: June 29, 2013.
Summer days are long in Dublin (longer than
they are in Toronto) so this low hanging sun over South
King Street doesn't mean darkness is right around the corner.
The sun set will be blissfully s-l-o-w.
Our wettest day in Dublin was the one where
we set off for Giant's Causeway and the Carrick-a-Rede
Rope Bridge. Take a look out this window and it'll give
you an idea of how the day felt.
Approaching the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge.
We heard the employees over their walkies
talking about how they were probably going to have to close
the rope bridge soon so had to hurry across and then back
again. I'm not gonna lie, the flimsy look of the thing in
combination with the wind made me a little nervous as I
dashed across. The rain poncho I bought on site acted like
a kite, which didn't help. But the area is gorgeous, rain
or shine.
As was Giant's Causeway. Walking on the long
path down to the rock formations, my poncho blustering in
all directions and my hair and jeans soaked, I lost it
and doubled over with hysterical laughter re. the nastiness
of the day, which got Paddy laughing nearly as badly. You'll
note the rain spots on my camera lens in some of my shots below.
Dunluce Castle ruins, Northern Ireland
Thankfully the next day back in County Dublin
was much nicer and we went out to
Malahide
Castle with family. They don't allow you to take pictures
inside but the guided tour of the castle is well worth it,
and the grounds are lovely. While you're there don't miss
out on the
Avoca
Café which is expensive but offers scrumptious
meals.
Irish pint in an Irish pub, July 3rd, 2013
I never realized that you could sit outside
on the third floor ( Irish and English folks would count
it as the second floor) but sure enough you can spy people
up there.
And the evening we dropped into Bewleys
it was crowded
so guess where we headed?
Here's Paddy's snack: a pear and almond
tart & coffee.
And mine: cupcake with sparkling pink lemonade.
Finally, they're currently repaving Grafton
Street sections at a time. The stones were intended to last
twenty years and have now been there for thirty. The walled
off sections being worked on had old photos of Grafton Street
hanging on it.
Here's my present day shot of the same stretch
of road, which brings to mind the Simon and Garfunkel lyric,
“After changes upon changes, we are more or less the
same.” Dublin, after changes upon changes, is still
Dublin.
