Saturday, November 29, 2014

DUBLIN-11/2014


This was not my first trip to the emerald isle and probably wont be my last. Ireland has a magical quality about it that seems to call me back, could be my Irish heritage but me thinks it's something deeper within my soul. This was my first trip to the East coast and the capital city of Dublin.

Saw this vintage travel poster in a gift shop at Trinity College.


I can never resist the combination of street art and cyclists.


Traditionally in Irish culture, the public house served as a meeting place for local communities to gather and was often part-shop and part-pharmacy too.
We loved the name of this pub and when we stopped in for a pint late Saturday evening the entire bar was singing "Massachusetts" (Bee Gees).  We felt so welcome.




The Custom House is a neoclassical 18th-century building in Dublin, Ireland which houses the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government.


After a day of torrential rain we experienced a delightful sunset as a backdrop to The Liffey River and the Ha'penny Bridge.



The Ha'penney Bridge  (officially the Liffey Bridge), is a pedestrian bridge built in 1816 over the River Liffey in Dublin, Ireland.

Early morning ramble...local street art


shadows


Remnants of yesterdays rain....
Chimneys


The Rotunda Maternity Hospital (1748) was for a time the largest maternity hospital in the world.

O'Connell Street

Trinity College founded by Queen Elizabeth in 1592, is the oldest university in Ireland and extends over 40 acres in a unique site in the heart of Dublin.  The College Library is one of the largest in Europe.  Among its treasures is the famous 8th century illuminated Irish manuscript, the Book of Kells, which is housed in the Long Room in the Old Library.





Sam and Allana in the Long Room, Old Library. The real reason I came to Dublin was to visit my son Sam who is studying at Trinity, seeing him in this library was a high point of my trip.


Dublin Castle


Night time in Dublin




On Saturday we took a train to Greystones, a coastal town south of Dublin and walked to the next town Brey.
The Cliff Walk is about 7 kilometres long, follows the coastline and boasts some of the most amazing views of the East Coast. It was awesome!





Rocks on the beach in Brey



It's Sunday morning and we're catching a train to Belfast. There was so much more I intended to see while in Dublin...guess a return trip is in order.

Sunday, November 2, 2014

My Favorite Color is October

OCTOBER is to photographers what April is to accountants. I took so many pictures this month that it's difficult to choose my favorites. For the most part I try to avoid enhancing the delicious colors that mother nature has provided but sometimes you just can't resist tweaking. Going with the premise that "less is more"and it's been a challenge. Enjoy!

Maple leaves...I love the sound of walking through leaves.


 Sunday morning bike ride in East Boston,  so peaceful, who knew?



Chelsea, MA


Wind surfers in Pleasure Bay, South Boston

Rooftop Sunset, Melcher Street, South Boston


Walden Pond, Concord MA.

"The falling leaves, all over the forest, are protecting the roots of my plants. Only look at what is to be seen, and you will have garden enough, without deepening the soil in your yard. We have only to elevate our view a little to see the whole forest as a garden." HDT






The Battle Road, Lexington MA (Minute Man National Historical Park)


The Berkshires after the rain. 





Horn Pond, Woburn MA




"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns." George Eliot






Immature Black-crowned Night Heron






My backyard


Long Pond, Winchester MA







Kennebunk, Maine



Foggy morning, Winchester MA

























Minute Man Bike Trail


Preying Mantis


Wildwood Cemetary, Winchester MA

Love lichens