Christmas is coming!

Christmas is coming......and the Christmas stock has arrived in Dunnes Stores.

I've been wondering whether I should put up a tree this year as we are going away on Christmas Eve. Browsing through these decorations made me think that I should put my tree up. I guess I will....

If I do put a tree up I will probably put it up very early so as to enjoy it for as long as possible :-)

I always enjoy putting it up every year while watching The Late Late Toy Show and partaking in a little Baileys. I reckon it's a good idea to continue with this tradition!

What I've been up too....

I haven't blogged in ages......apologies to all my readers.

Last weekend was Open House in Dublin.  We didn't plan to visit any buildings as Ciaran was busy in The Kemp Gallery showing his exhibition on Saturday.  However, when he finished up, we walked to Temple Bar to buy spray paint. On our way we passed the Central Bank and saw the Open House banners. We got chatting to the volunteers on the door and they advised we should try add our names to tour list.  We got on a list and were told to come back in an hour. We went off bought the paint and then popped in to the Temple Bar Gallery where we got to tour that building as a part of Open House. Then it was back to the Central Bank where I was wowed by the Sam Stephenson designed building. 

It was so great to get inside this building. The Central Bank is leaving it soon to go to a new building on the docks.  So who knows what will happen to the building when they leave.

This Saturday, I was in Skerries Mills.  This place is gorgeous and there was a lovely market on.  If you ever get a chance to visit, do!

On Sunday morning, we went for a walk with the dog along the sea front in Dun Laoghaire.  It was fairly windy but mild enough, so pleasant generally. 

Then later on Sunday  we went to see the new Jack Reacher film after having a lunchtime pizza in Manifesto in Rathmines. The reviews have been dire for this film but I enjoyed it.  It was exactly what I expected from a Tom Cruise action movie.  And Tom Cruise looks great for his 54 years!



In other exciting news, I booked a little trip to Liverpool with my twin sister after the bank holiday.  We are flying with Aer Lingus and staying in the centre of the city.  We plan on visiting The Cavern and The Beatles Story.  Should be fun!

Paros Island, Greece 2016

I got waylaid by Ciaran's exhibition in The Kemp Gallery so never got to write fully about our recent trip to Greece.  So here's a little bit about the next island we stopped at...

When we were leaving Sifnos, we had heard that the weather was going to take a turn and we should head for safe harbour in Paros. This became our plan and we aimed to be docked up by 3pm.

Along the way we took a dip by holding on to a rope off the back of the boat - such fun!  It was one of my favourite things to do.

When we arrived in Paros the harbour was full. On the radio before we entered, the harbour master told us there was no room.  We had to anchor just outside the harbour. 

To get in to Paros to have some dinner we took the dinghy.  Here it is tied up after the short trip to land.

We chose a nice restaurant facing out on to the harbour.  There were lots of cats about in the restaurants and on this occasion we were also joined for dinner by a duck!

I had a very tasty Tuna Carpaccio for dinner - with wine that cost about €5 for a carafe! The red wine is served very cold which means you can't really taste it......probably a good thing.

"I Find You Fascinating" at The Kemp Gallery

The day finally came!

Ciaran's solo exhibition "I Find You Fascinating" (as his painting alter ego Pigsy!)  opened in The Kemp Gallery yesterday.

Refreshment was provided by O Brother Brewing who are based in Kilcoole Co Wicklow. There were 4 different beers to choose from and everyone I spoke to agreed that they were really good.  I love the labels on the bottles - the colours are fantastically vibrant and the names of the beers are a lot of fun!  Pictured is "The Chancer" which was very tasty.  I also tasted "The Fixer" which was delicious too. 

The calm before the storm!  
Here is Ciaran earlier on in the day before the room filled up with people.

And look how full it got!!
There were a lot of people out to see the art. Some popped in for a few mins while others stayed the whole evening.  Many said they would be back to visit at another time over the next 6 weeks as they said they wanted to look at the paintings when it was quiet and no one else in the room.  That's understandable.  It was difficult to see some of the paintings (particularly the larger ones) with so many people in the gallery. 

There was a really positive response to the whole evening.  The beer went down a treat and the art work provoked a response!

The show is running for the next 6 weeks and Ciaran will be in there tomorrow (Sat) from 12-2pm so do call in for a view. As well as original art pieces for sale there are also limited edition prints available of three specially selected paintings.

If you visit the Gallery do let me know what you think of Ciaran's work!

I'd advise taking an afternoon to view the art and also calling in to the DesignYard -the The Kemp Gallery is based in the DesignYard Building.  The DesignYard have the most stunning jewellery collections designed by a range of Irish and European designers and jewellery makers. You'll love it :-) 

Sifnos, Greece

Sifnos was where we docked in a marina for the first time. The harbour master is the guy in the blue in the back of the photo.  As we approached the dock he shouted for the rope. The action happens very fast and it feels like there are ropes going everywhere.  It's both exciting and a little stressful but it certainly gets the adrenaline going. What fun!

After getting the boat in safely you certainly enjoy your first drink!

Sifnos is a lovely island. Here is the view from where we ate breakfast the next morning.

After a swim in the ocean it was back on the boat and off on our way again. 

Can you tell how much I enjoyed this trip by the way I am recanting what we got up to?!

"I Find You Fascinating"

The KEMP Gallery welcomes another debutant in the Irish art scene "Pigsy" for his solo exhibition “I FIND YOU FASCINATING” at 6pm on Thursday the 6th of October 2016 at 25 South Frederick St, Dublin 2.

Pigsy aka Ciaran McCoy is an award winning architect with ODKM Architects who has designed projects ranging across the commercial, retail, residential and leisure sectors. He borrows from his design and architectural knowledge as well as a flair picked up from his father, who is also an artist, to create diverse artworks. Come along to see the magic that he conjures up with a vast array of media from spray paints to oil sticks.

Drinks on the night will kindly be sponsored by O Brother Brewing.
www.obrotherbrewing.com
Please RSVP to thekempgallery@gmail.com

Click here for Facebook Event page

Sailing in Greece - And we're off!

We took a taxi from Athens to Lavrion Port where we picked up our boat - the "Amphiliki".

It was all rather different and exciting and even at this point we knew this trip was going to be something special!

We stocked up on provisions at the local supermarket who then delivered all the food, drinks and ice down to the boat for us. All of our favourite food was selected including lots of Haloumi cheese!!

By 2pm or so we were on our way.  It was a little nerve racking throwing off the ropes and motoring away but very exciting too. 

Later in the day after sailing for awhile, a rope was thrown off the boat and we hung on for dear life as we were dragged along.  What fun!!

On our first night we anchored near a sand bar on Kythnos Island and the next morning we visited a natural hot spring. Incredible - a naturally occurring hot tub!!

What a great start to our trip. More details to follow over the next few days.....