23rd March 2015 - Post on Belfast

A couple of weeks ago I joined a group on Meet Up, that's local in Skerries. Over coffee we decided to do a bit of bigger trip and picked Belfast. A lot of people were interested in the Titanic museum and I was looking forward to a nice day out.

We car-pooled yesterday to get to the museum. There were six spread over two cars. On our way to Belfast I was lucky to get the front seat and took a couple of pictures.

Shortly before getting in Belfast we noticed this constructions just out side on the motorway. Just wondering whether it actually illuminates at night.

The great thing about the museum that you are allowed to take pictures as long as you don't use the flash setting on the camera. I missed a couple of things last time so I was delighted to have the opportunity again. This time, the shipyard trip was also open. Last time I went to the museum, this part of the exhibition was out of order due to repairs.

For anyone interested in the Titanic and its history it's definitely worth going. I didn't notice the amount of detail in the exhibition. They had actual carpet samples reconstructed for people to have a feel of the material used for the furniture. The above shot is one of the better ones. As far as I remember correctly the picture above depicts the reconstruction of the female 2nd Class cabins.

They also reconstructed some of the pieces of the Titanic such as a sample of the actual life boats used during the rescue.

At the end of tour we all had a nice day and I got to meet new people. And most of us were able to spend the remaining British Sterling we had hidden away in money jars. Couldn't resist taking a photograph.

It's always strange to have a different currency to deal with. And Ireland is one of those wonderful country where you just have to pass the border on the same island and you're suddenly in a different country. We all had a laugh about trying out best to identify the pieces when paying for our food bill and at the same time getting rid of all the small change we had. Above is about £45.00 in small notes and coins.

Now for some translation proof-reading.

17th March 2015 - St. Patrick's Parade in Galway

Just returned from the parade in Galway. I left the night before with a friend and stayed the night in the Galway Arms Inn at very decent rate of €79 for the twin room. I'm happy I followed a colleague's advice and left the night before. The driving was exhausting after all.

The next day, St. Patrick's Day, right after breakfast we already saw part of the parade's set-up from our hotel balcony.

After we checked out and brought our bags to the car we picked a good spot in the crowd and watched the parade.

After the town crier this was the first wagon to appear.

A paper version of St. Patrick.

There were a lot of local sports groups that attended and had prepared for the parade. A lot of kids attended from various hurling, dancing and judo clubs.

Somebody drove a nice old car right in the middle of it. I wonder what age it is? Can anyone guess?

 Followed by Bram Stoker's Dracula

The rest the parade consisted of different communities presenting their different events. It was all over almost in a flash. But thinking of parade's I attended this was one of the best. The weather was amazing, sky was blue, not clouds and the sun was already quite warm for early spring.

After the parade we had lovely coffee and cakes in a nearby bakery. Then we went shopping. I bought a lovely scarf in Swamp - I need to check their website. I tried on a lovely coat in teal in their shop but unfortunately the largest size was a little tight. Maybe I'm more lucky online.

I'm finishing this post with a video of Irish dancing I recorded in the Eyre Square Shopping Centre, returning to watch Doctor Who - bad habit, I know ...

Enjoy!

13th March 2015 - First successful pattern translation

A good while ago a found a few free sock patterns written by a German designer, called Susanne Koelling on Ravelry where she's known as Kennasus (I think you need to have Ravelry account to see her details - if you're not on Ravelry yet then hurry up; it's free!!!); you will find her blog here.

I dropped her message when I noticed that her patterns were only available in German. So I offered her to do a translation for one of sock patterns as a test. I really love her designs - loads of cables, a bit of lace and most of patterns are charted which I love. I gave up on ready written patterns instructions a while ago, usually trying to pick a pattern that has a chart. Charts, in my opinion, are so much easier to read. Written instructions make my head spin and once I have a feel for the pattern repeat I do without the instructions (maybe I should start writing out charts once I'm satisfied with the written instructions - could be something ...)

Long story short, she agreed to the translation. So we decided to her Sprossenleiter socks first - more than 150 people added the pattern to their favourite section on Ravelry and I believe that counts for something.

English version isn't up yet but soon to follow.

Busy weekend this week and I decided to drive to Galway Monday evening for the parade on 17th March with a friend from Skerries.

Otherwise, nothing new really - house hunt is still going on!

8th March 2015 - Spring is here ...

It doesn't look like it much today but on Friday afternoon you could see that spring had arrived in Ireland. Yesterday was a lovely day too; today has started off slightly grey but it might change later on.

They always have lovely flower displays and flower projects in St. Stephen's Green so I took the opportunity to take two quick pictures for the blog. It's beautiful to see the crocuses coming out and the daffodils.

I've actually changed my jacket - away with the winter coats, in with the thinner jackets and it's about time. Noticed thought that a button is missing and that I lost my head in Dicey's on Friday.

Here's the pictures:

Not sure what the "R" stands for but I think it's very creative.

Going to the antiquity market later today in Clontarf Castle. Maybe I pick up something nice.

3rd March 2015 - Back to the swimming pool

I decided it was time to go back to the swimming pool it being March and all. Finished work earlier today and headed to the wet. The result: my body aches nows but what can you do. With all the office work you need to do something and I was recommended to go swimming. So there I went, still the pool at Marian College.

Unfortunately the apartment purchase fell through (not getting involved with pyrite) so I'm still looking. Keep fingers crosses something comes up.

In the meantime and after a successful present handover for a newborn, I decided to use my big(gish) yarn stash and knit a blanket on my own - for my bed or future sofa. Wasn't too sure what to with the yarn anyway so I decided to put my own design to the test. Still going through the proof-reading stage of the pattern.

Here a picture of the current project, eight repeats of the blanket done and another two (if not four to follow). I have made a few rearrangements in my head and hope it will work out.

Going out for drinks on Friday and an early-bird dinner on Saturday - busy bee I am. If anyone asks - sheets are Penny's.