Finally back a week in Dublin and another week in Cambridge. Dublin is a fucking awesome place, I highly recommend it. I don't know if it's just the atmosphere, but I've never had more delicious beer in my entire life. I went to the Guinness storehouse for all the free beer one could drink, sponsored by the conference. I stopped myself at 8 pints as I did have to get up in the morning. They were really pushing the Guinness Extra Cold when I was over, but personally I couldn't tell much of a difference. The rest of the week was great but the highlight was the storehouse for sure. I took the Jameson tour at the end of the week and sampled some extremely fine whiskey, also pretty cool. Managed to take in a few other non-alchohol related sites as well (Trinity College, Mallahyde Castle, Dublin Castle). I also got offered a job in Australia. All in all it was a great week and I can't wait to go back again some day.

After Dublin, I hung out around Cambridge for a week with a friend of mine. Pretty nice area, good pubs, sampled plenty of ales all week and saw a lot of historical sites around the city. King's College is pretty garish. Also managed to hit London for the day to see some sites. Not enough time to do much, as I only had the afternoon, but we cruised around a lot on my friend's Vespa which was a great way to see the city. However, I can't say I felt very comfortable hanging on the back of the Vespa doing 80 mph on the A11 all the way back to Cambridge.

Anyway, that's what I've been up to, have I missed anything around here? Loogar still ruining the board?

You didnt miss much.

Welcome back and glad you had a good time. I'd loce to goto Dublin some day....

Chaaaaaaaaaarlie!! I've missed you, m'dear! It sounds like you had a fabulous time -- instantly made me jealous and reminiscent of my recent trip. Didja bring any fine whiskey back? See any shows while there? Buy any cool music? Are you going to Australia? Tell me more!!

PS -- got any photies?

Hey, it's good to be back! I never had much of a chance to check email or anything over there, I was wondering how you all were doing. It was super cool, man. I seriously loved my time there. I actually didn't end up bringing any whiskey back, sadly. Due to cash flow, the exchange was killer for me. Next time, I guess. Didn't catch any shows or pick up any music either. U2 was playing Dublin the Friday I left. The city was a madhouse on the way to the airport. It was the talk of the town, even the older folk I was drinking with in the pubs were talking about the 'big U2 show' tonight.

Dunno about Austrailia yet. This scientist who does similar work as me wants me to run his lab. It's very tempting, so it's something we're considering (note the 'we'). If I was a single fella, I'd probably pick up and go, but Lisa's got a contract right now for another 1.5 years. Who knows though, I'm keeping in contact with this guy to see what might happen.

And yeah, I've got a few photos if you're interested. I snapped a lot, I'll post a few choice favourites of drunk Charlie about town.

A friend of mine (who lives here) just so happened to go to that U2 concert in Dublin. She said it was mad at how much the city was completely into the event.

That Aussie gig sounds like a great opportunity -- not that it's a bad thing to be married, but..gosh.

And, yes, PLEASE post some photos!

Here's a few snaps of Dublin and Cambridge from my trip.


Bridge downtown Dublin


Another shot of bridge


Me at the Guinness Storehouse


Me on the coastside town of Mallahyde, 40 min outside Dublin


Mallahyde Castle


During the Jameson Whiskey Tour


Later on during the Jameson Tour


Shot of colleges of Cambridge University (Trinity I believe)

[img][375:500]http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/8950/ukcamriver36tv.jpg[/img]
Shot of colleges of Cambridge University from the river (King's)


Punting down the river in Cambridge

Feeling no pain, eh? Nicely done.