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?
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.
I picked up a couple novels in the below Malahide bookstore. There's also a bookshop called Village Books a couple of blocks away.
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
Treats in Bewley's Café (Grafton Street) window.
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.
