Lapdance Alley

Well, that's where the club with the lap-dancing sign is (don't know the real name). This was taken on the way back from a lovely evening I spent with my cousin Iz, catching up on stuff and replaying other stuff (riffs on old conversations like classic records). She lives in Temple Bar and town was full of industrious Xmas cheer and bluster, everywhere packed to the gills. We checked out Chez Max, a delightful, harassed little place near Dublin Castle, where we were lucky enough to get a table on the street (Iz is a smoker) and the chairs came equipped with blankets for old fellas like me who feel the cold. Good-natured chaos reigned. There seemed to be several people captaining the vessel. First we were told the kitchen was closed, though it later became clear that this was nonsense. Then the food arrived (cod with spinach and some other stuff) which was lovely. But the wait had been considerable, and we were told that there was no more cod, even though we'd ordered two! But again, this was a mistake, duly corrected with much apologies, though I had finished mine by then. But it really was a lovely evening, and another favourite cousin happened by and joined us, Carolanne, whom we hardly ever see. So, a great night. Later I went back to Iz's place for more chat and left it too late for the bus home. There was much to photograph in the buzzing streets, including the above. But I was tired and wet and wanted to get home.