Novotel Hotel, Hanover Street, Liverpool

I arrived back yesterdat from a city break to Liverpool for 3 days after the bank holiday.

We stayed in a super hotel called Novotel in a great location on Hanover Street near Liverpool One.

Our room was on the 10th floor and we had a lovely view of Albert Dock. However, what really impressed me about this hotel was the superb buffet breakfast. It was laid out really nicely and a lot of space was given over to it.

We had a fry every morning and it really set us up for the day!

Along with a selection of pastries and bread there was cheeses, cold meats and yoghurt.  The hot food consisted of rashers,sausages, black pudding, hash browns and beans along with mushrooms and eggs both scrambled and fried.

Halloween Bank Holiday in Dublin

It's incredibly mild here in Dublin and there is loads going on this weekend.

On Friday night Amy and I dressed up as Zombie Marie Antoinette's which was fun. I sent this photo to Ciaran and he was freaked by it.....Zombie Twins can do that!!

Then on Saturday we met up with Alice for brunch in Marks & Spencer.

The food choices in M&S are very carb heavy so there is not a whole lot of options. There was a deal of €3.50 for a coffee and a scone so I chose that. Along with an OJ it was a nice little brekkie.

After brunch, Amy and I called in to see Ciaran in The Kemp Gallery. He had left already but we took a wander around the gallery and enjoyed his work.

After getting an extra hour in bed with the clock change, Sunday started with breakfast in The Greenery on Lennox Street.  We sat out because we had Bones with us and our friend had her dog. I ordered the quesadilla which were very good!

Can you believe we sat out in October in Dublin?! That's how mild it is!!

Life is short....

"Life is short. Buy the damn bicycle!"

I like this sign!  It's in the window of a bike shop in Swords across from a coffee shop where I go for my morning coffee.

It's a good bike shop. I bought a lock for my younger sister's bike and got great advice from one of the assistants.  He said all locks can be broken but when you spend more on a lock you are buying time. So I bought her a fairly expensive one!

When I got home from work today I went up to the studio and gave it a good tidy up. There was a fair amount to clear out. Ciaran has been painting in this room so he needs lots of space.

I had two sewing machines out, even though I only use one. So I cleared away the one that I don't use - which is the 1960's one that I blogged about here.  I feel good about having cleared this room......Clear space, clear head.....and all that.

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 :-)