Dublin

Lovely place, lovely people. So lucky to be here and hosted by such helpful folk at DCU. Getting up at 5am for the flight over from Edinburgh didn't seem so bad in the company of the bekilted advance guard of the Tartan Army. "The match tonight is it?" I said more than asked. "No, it's on Saturday, we're just getting them in early".

The banter was in full flow as the veterans reminded the whippersnappers to put their watch two hours forward for Dublin time...which they duly did. The roar of disappointment as the cabin crew ran out of beer half way through the flight was deafening, I thought some of them were going to cry for their mammies. Sure though they made the flight go fast and made me chuckle.

The day was spent being handed over at DCU from one host to another, being watered and fed and generally spoilt. Well worth being here, learned so much, and was fairly worn out with it all by 5.

But we were in Dublin, and I was travelling with a Dubliner, so the ear infection was put to bed with some painkillers and we went on a laid back but ladylike tour of comfy places for a drink of two and some gorgeous Japanese food. Every so often we'd see a group of lubricated Scotsmen, looking like Airchie, very chuffed with themselves, one hand on their sporrans, patting their drink money. And the streets were full of folk, sitting outside, enjoying a wee drinkie. Aberdeen just can't do this, sadly.

Back to the hotel just before midnight, at a decent hour, walking back on a balmy Dublin evening.

Second time in Dublin, if I come again, I might not ever leave.