|11-MAY-2015|  First, a shout out to Starbucks for helping to resurrect the blog. After fighting what we call “Portuguese Internet” at our B&B (slow, sporadic and woefully under-powered wifi) that kept the blog offline for two days, we enjoyed a latte and free wifi this morning at the nearby Starbucks and uploaded the blog in about 38 seconds.

Ahhhh, the consistency we expect from Starbucks … exactly when we need it!

Today was designated for a day-trip afield, after a brief stop through some of Dublin’s markets on the north side of the river.  The markets were a bust – not open, wholesale or not set up, so that up’d the timetable on our excursion by train – specifically, DART, the local commuter rail.  Destination: Killiney, a coastal town about 40 min south of Dublin on what’s called Dublin’s Riviera (don’t blame me, I didn’t make up the name!). Purchased a couple of day passes for the DART (aka “Day Rambler”) and we were off.

Hopped off the train at the tiny platform in Killiney and began the climb up Killiney Hill to the Obelisk, 170m above sea level.  Up the road, up switchbacks, up stairs through a beautiful, swanky neighborhood (home to Bono and The Edge of U2!) with sweeping views of the bay and “villas” with manicured yards. The view took the edge off … sort of.

The park itself is a maze of well-maintained trails, well-used by the locals and their dogs. The main structural attractions: the Obelisk, Witch’s Hat, and a small step pyramid.

The walk back down the hill took us along the bay to Dalkey, another coastal town. We noshed sandwiches from a local cafe before hopping the DART back to Dublin.

We lucked out with the weather – forecast on weather.com still says cloudy with a 40% chance of rain. Someone needs to look out the window!

Back in Dublin we made our way almost expertly through the mid-afternoon crowds to hit two stores the were closed on previous attempts.  “All City” is a shop in Temple Bar – barber, record store, record label and THE place to buy urban art supplies (aka spray paint in an impressive palette of colors).

Built in 1774, the Powerscourt Townhouse is now home to boutique shops and cafes off the shopping promenade of St. Andrews St in Dublin. I went seeking “This is Knit”, a yarn store with its own line of hand-dyed Irish wool blends.  Pleepleus is pawing two skeins of a cashmere blend: “Twilight” and “Futuristic” that will become warm, colorful knits. I hope he’s not making a mess!

 After all that sight-seeing and shopping, Pleepleus suggested a pint at a local pub. We popped into The Bleeding Horse, a neighborhood spot just 2 blocks from the B&B, founded in 1649!  Jeff tried “Punk IPA” from Scottish brewers Brew Dog; I had the pilsner from local brewer Finn.  We also shared an excellent Irish whiskey, Writers Tears.